Support: Pre-arrival

What to do before you travel to New Zealand

You have paid your tuition and you have your visa, but there is still a lot to arrange before you travel. Choose New Zealand can help you get organised with our Pre-Arrival Support Package.

For a very affordable price, (further discount apply if you applied to study through us), our support package includes help with:

• The best deals on flight bookings
• Arranging medical and travel insurance – required by the New Zealand government and arranged through Southern Cross Travel – http://www.scti.co.nz/international-student
• Finding accommodation in New Zealand
• Communication – we will contact you with information in your language about travel arrangements, and we can provide a mobile SIM card so you can call your family when you arrive
• Transport between terminals and from the airport – we get you where you need to go
• Welcome and orientation – help on how to settle in and where to go

Departure checklist

Here is a checklist of preparations you may need to make before you leave. (Depends on the length of your stay, and what you intend to do after completing your course.)

You must have

• Letter of Offer from the school/institution
• Passport
• Other official identification such as driver’s license, national ID card
• Cash, credit card
• Receipts for payment of fees and accommodation
• Laptop computer if needed for your course
• Electrical plug or adaptor for Australia/New Zealand
• Medication prescribed by your doctor. (You may need to check whether it is readily available in New Zealand, and whether you can legally bring it with you.)

You should probably have

• Photos of family and home
• Small gifts from your country for your new international friends
• National outfit or costume (if you have one)
• Laptop computer
• Cell phone with roaming access (or able to accept NZ SIM card)

You might need to have

• Originals of academic transcripts
• Medical records etc

What not to bring!!!

Restricted and banned items

Because New Zealand is an island nation we are lucky to be free of many of the world’s serious pests and diseases, and we try hard to prevent them arriving here. But pests and diseases can be brought into New Zealand in your baggage, and can pose a serious threat to New Zealand’s agriculture and environment. So, it is best not to bring any food, animals or animal products, plants or parts of plants with you. Not all of these are prohibited, but it’s easier for you not to bring them. Some items – such as meat, fruit and honey – are never allowed at all.

Banned items include illegal drugs, pornography, and products from endangered species. We are also free of snakes, dangerous and poisonous animals and insects.

Pets – leave them at home

It’s an expensive and lengthy process to bring cats, dogs or other pets into New Zealand, often taking more than six months. Only people who are planning to live permanently in New Zealand should consider bringing their pets with them. 

Eligibility for Health Services

Please note that most international students are not entitled to publicly funded health services while in New Zealand. If you receive medical treatment during your visit, you may be liable for the full costs of that treatment. To check your entitlement to publicly funded health services go to: http://www.moh.govt.nz/eligibility

Accident Insurance

The Accident Compensation Corporation provides accident insurance for all New Zealand citizens, residents, and temporary visitors to New Zealand, but you may still be liable for all other medical and related costs. Further information can be viewed on the ACC website at http://www.acc.co.nz

Download our booklet to know more details of our Comprehensive Services for International Students.

Read more about The Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016