Before You Arrive
Please check out the information below to familiarise yourself with various aspects of life in New Zealand. If you require any additional information, please contact our team or check out our Student Support page.
Working in New Zealand
International students can work locally when they study in New Zealand (Please refer to the conditions on your student visa). You may be allowed to work part-time for up to 20 hours a week and full-time during all scheduled holidays and the Christmas and New Year holiday period depending on the type of programme you are enrolled in. International students are not allowed to be self-employed. You must work for an employer and have an employment agreement.
Minimum wage rates are set by the government and are reviewed each year. Please visit: https://www.employment.govt.nz/hours-and-wages/pay/minimum-wage/minimum-wage-rates/
Our Recruitment Team will be able to provide the guidance you require about working in New Zealand.
Homestay
NZSE can book your homestay through our contacted Homestay partners. Homestay accommodation offers an excellent opportunity to live in a family environment, practice your English language skills, and experience the New Zealand lifestyle. Homestay rates generally cover accommodation and two meals (breakfast and dinner) per weekday, and three meals during weekends and on public holidays. Please request your homestay at the time of enrolment into the programme or at least four weeks prior to arrival in New Zealand from your home country.
Refunds:
- Once in their homestay, students are required to give NZSE College a minimum of fourteen days’ notice prior to moving out
- Should a student not provide the minimum fourteen days’ notice, they will forfeit two week’s homestay and placement fees
- If a student withdraws prior to enrolment and has paid their home-stay fees, they will be refunded in full, with the exception of the placement fee which is not refundable. The seven-day notice rule will also apply
Cost of Living in New Zealand
In order to live comfortably while you are in New Zealand, you will need to have about $20,000 NZD per year available for living costs, above the cost of your tuition. The cost of living in New Zealand is comparable to what you’ll find in any OECD country. You will receive advice from our Student Support team during orientation on how best to handle your money, but initially it is important to note that you should have some New Zealand cash for immediate expenses (e.g. airport costs or transport). You may need further funds in the form of traveller’s cheques, which can be readily cashed. There are foreign exchange offices at the international terminals in each New Zealand airport.
Medical and Travel Insurance
The New Zealand Government requires that students have medical and travel insurance before travel and during their studies at NZSE College and the period living in New Zealand.
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. Full details on entitlements to publicly-funded health services are available from the New Zealand Ministry of Health. The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) provides accident insurance for 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.
In New Zealand, there are plenty of GPs available. You can find more information on accessing GPs in both Auckland and Hamilton here:
Auckland District Health Board
Hamilton District Health Board
Your insurance must meet the requirements of the Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of practice 2021. A copy of the code is available in English on our website. You can also read the Code in different languages from the NZQA website.
International students who are enrolled for educational instruction of 2 weeks’ duration or longer must have appropriate insurance covering the following:
- The student’s travel - to and from New Zealand, within New Zealand and if the travel is part of the educational instruction, outside New Zealand
- Medical care in New Zealand, including diagnosis, prescription, surgery, and hospitalisation
- Repatriation or expatriation of the student as a result of serious illness or injury, including cover of travel costs incurred by family members assisting repatriation or expatriation
- Death of the student, including cover of travel costs of family members to and from New Zealand, and costs of repatriation or expatriation of the body, funeral expenses and include the student’s travel to and from their country of origin or citizenship before their educational instruction begins and after it ends (which may be outside of the enrolment period).
NZSE will, if required, arrange standard international student cover through Southern Cross Healthcare or Orbit Protect at the cost of the student. For more information please check out the following links: Southern Cross Travel Insurance, Orbit Protect International Student Insurance.
Currency and Finances
Local currency is the New Zealand dollar. There are 10c, 20c, and 50c, $1 and $2 coins, and $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 notes.
We strongly recommend that while in New Zealand you do not carry large amounts of cash. We suggest opening a bank account as soon as possible after arrival. All major banks have branches within 100 meters of the Campus. You can also purchase goods using EFTPOS (Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale) at nearly all retailers. Any large amounts of money may be sent in the form of a bank draft, however, electronic transfers are, in most cases, the most efficient method of sending funds to New Zealand. Overseas cheques are sometimes difficult to clear and are not recommended.
Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Tipping
Safety
We would like your student journey to be a safe and enjoyable one. New Zealand is a safe and friendly environment, however you are recommended to take precaution as you would in any large city. The videos here give you sensible tips on how to deal with any incidences and ways in which to protect yourself from danger. Have fun, enjoy yourself, and stay safe.
Watch this video for sensible tips.
Transport
Public transport in Auckland
Auckland, the largest metropolitan area of New Zealand is serviced by three modes of public transport – bus, train and ferry. These services are coordinated by Auckland Transport under the AT Metro brand. Britomart Transport Centre in the heart of the CBD is the main transport hub. International students are eligible for a discount on the public transport services. The HOP card has attractive concessions for Tertiary Students. You can pay your fares on Auckland’s public buses, trains and ferries in cash or by using the pre-pay AT HOP smart card. The AT HOP fares are generally at least 20 per cent cheaper than paying cash for the same journey. When using your AT HOP card, you must always ‘tag on’ when you start your trip and ‘tag off’ at the end. AT HOP smart cards can be bought online or at many locations across Auckland, including the i-Site shop located in the arrivals area of Auckland International Airport. You can add money to your AT HOP card at various stores around the area, and at the large blue Ticket and Top-up machines around Auckland, located at all train stations and at the Northern Busway Stations. A complete list can be found on the AT Metro website.
Driving in New Zealand
Learner License
First you must pass a theory test. If you pass the test, you may begin driving, but only with a supervisor who is an experienced driver. You may carry passengers, if the supervisor agrees. If you use a driving instructor during this time, you will pay for each hour of instruction – roughly around $50.00 per hour.
Restricted License
Full License
After eighteen months you may apply for a Full license – you can apply after six months if you are 25 or over.
More information about driving in New Zealand can be obtained from the Land Transport Safety Authority (LTSA), free phone 0800 822 422.
Community Services
Citizens Advice Bureau
Need Help Right Now?
Civil Defence Emergency Information
Civil Defence are the people who help prepare for and respond to emergencies like major fires, floods, extreme weather, an earthquake or tsunami. Their website has important information on how to get ready for an emergency.
Family Services
Healthcare and Dental Care
Eligibility for Health Services
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 have to pay the full costs of treatment. Full details on entitlements to publicly funded health services are available through the Ministry of Health. View these on their website here.
Accident Insurance
The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) provides accident insurance for all New Zealand citizens, residents and temporary visitors to New Zealand, but you may be liable for all other medical and related costs. Further information can be viewed on the ACC website.
Postal Service
Post offices in New Zealand are called Postshops. You can find a Postshop near you, and get information about postal services and Kiwibank (the bank that New Zealand Post operates) at the NZ Post website.
Police advice for new arrivals
New Zealand Police has a useful website with information about your rights in dealing with them and advice on preventing crime, plus contacts for ethnic liaison officers in your region. Information is available in 12 different languages.
Community Associations
The Community Directory provides a register of ethnic community organisations and support services available in New Zealand at this website.
