Living in New Zealand – Useful Advice

Whether you have recently arrived as an international student, a nurse who is about to undertake a Competency Assessment Programme or as an Accredited Employer Work visa holder, we understand the challenge you face. Adjusting to a new way of living in New Zealand can be demanding but rewarding.

To ease your nerves, here are some tips and advice from locals that we hope will help:

Accommodation

Accommodation in New Zealand can be expensive. There are several cheaper options of accommodation to consider. You may find these sites helpful to begin your search for accommodation:
Trademe Flatmates Wanted, New Zealand Backpackers,  NZ Youth Hostel Association.

Transport

Once you have arranged your accommodation, start researching your means of transportation. If you are using public transport, secure a transport card as this proves cheaper than paying with cash. In New Zealand, the public transport system (bus or train system) is council-controlled. Therefore, if you travel within different cities, you must purchase a transport card for each city.

If you are in Auckland, check out this site for public transport in Auckland.

If you are looking at purchasing a second-hand car, make sure you factor the costs of car ownership, insurance and potentially the costs of daily parking into your budget. If you intend to drive, your overseas driver’s license can only be honoured up to 12 months from when you first arrive. The NZ Transport Agency, Waka Kotahi, is where you need to go to apply for a New Zealand license.

Work

If you intend to work in New Zealand, you will need an IRD (Inland Revenue Department) number and a New Zealand bank account.

More information about getting your IRD number can be found on the Inland Revenue Department site.

We have several banks in New Zealand. Besides Kiwibank, which is New Zealand owned, banks such as Westpac, Bank of New Zealand, ASB and ANZ are owned by overseas companies. Each bank has its terms and conditions and fees that they charge. Look out for these.

Trade Me Jobs and Seek are the most popular job search sites. You might also want to join some of the Working Holiday NZ or local jobs Facebook groups.

Alternatively, you can opt to sign up with an employment or recruitment agency based in New Zealand to help you find work.

Leisure

When you get to New Zealand, try immersing yourself in activities or places where you are likely meet people with the same interests as you. New Zealand is renowned for its beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. We like to go for a leisurely walk in our beautiful Botanic gardens, hike, ski and, of course, watch the All Blacks play rugby. Every city or town also has plenty of cafes to enjoy a relaxing coffee and a meal, plus plenty of other recreational activities and events.

You can do a day hike to multi-day tramps through our national parks. New Zealand is home to ten great walks. You can find out about our walks on the Department of Conservation website.

Fun fact: New Zealand does not have snakes, bears or any dangerous animal that kills. Hiking, camping and other outdoor activities are generally safe, however always check the weather forecast and make sure you are well-prepared for rapid changes. New Zealand is well known for having “four seasons in one day”.

Education

If you have brought your children with you, enrol them at school if they are 6 to 16 years of age. For the little ones, you can opt to have them looked after at daycare or an ECE (Early Childhood Education) facility.

In New Zealand, it is illegal to leave a child under 14 by themselves at home or in another place without ensuring they are safely supervised and cared for. Therefore, you need to arrange care for your young ones. Our schools usually start at 9 am and end at 3 pm.
Check out our Ministry of Education site for more information about education in New Zealand.

Health

If you are here long term, it is best to register with a GP (General Practitioner), also known as a family doctor or general physician, at a medical centre near you. This can either be close to your residence or place of study, or work. Your choice of GP also depends on your budget, as consultation fee rates vary. You might also prefer one who speaks your dialect or language.

In New Zealand, you are advised to see your GP if you are unwell rather than going to the hospital. It is best not to go to the hospital unless you have an emergency, as our hospitals are not equipped for day-to-day minor illnesses. Your GP is better positioned to give you the treatment you need.

If you are insured with OrbitProtect, you are also expected to see a GP first if you become unwell. Normally, you cannot go to a specialist unless your GP refers you. If you require an optometrist or dentist, you don’t need to be referred by a GP. (Note: Please make sure you check your OrbitProtect policy’s cover limitations for dental and optical treatment).

If you hold an OrbitProtect Student plan, you can use our OrbitPay Card when you visit our authorised GP and pharmacies. Please read our OrbitPay Card blog post for more information about the card.

If you hold an OrbitProtect RSE Protect plan, you can also use our OrbitPay card. Click here to find out more.

All Experience NZ and Working Holiday policyholders will need to pay for the medical costs upfront and then make a claim on the OrbitProtect website with your receipt/s and medical notes. If your claim is approved, you will be reimbursed.

Settling in a new country can be confusing and daunting. When in doubt, remember that it is okay to ask if you are unsure of what to do, no matter how silly your question may sound. Take it easy, and don’t be too hard on yourself. Rest assured that support is available through your school, work and the relevant government agency. And if you have any issues or enquiry about your OrbitProtect insurance, please feel free to contact us on 0800 478 833 or email us at [email protected].

This page was last updated in July 2024.