New Zealand Information
Auckland is also known as one the top five cities worldwide for quality of living, according to (Mercer’s 2008 Quality of Living survey) and it is considered much cheaper than many other countries like Sydney or London.
General Profile(New Zealand)
Area | 103,736 sq mi = 269,000 sq km |
Population Feb 2014 | 4,509,700 |
Capital City | Wellington |
Climate
Our coldest month is July, and our warmest is in January; our seasons opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere. Average temperatures are around 15C (60F) in the upper North Island, and around 10C (50F) near the bottom of the South Island. The climate is fairly mild, without the extremes experienced in many other countries.
In fact, New Zealand doesn’t tend to have temperatures over 35C (100F) or under -10C (14F). It tends to snow only in the mountains in the North Island, and mainly in the Southern Alps in the South Island, although it has been known to snow on some of the cities on the East Coast of the South Island from time to time.
Currency
Decimal system based on New Zealand dollar, with cent denominations.
Coins | 10 cent | 20 cent | 50 cent | 1 dollar | 2 dollar |
Notes | 5 dollar | 10 dollar | 20 dollar | 50 dollar | 100 dollar |
Travel Details
Visa:
Not required of US citizens in possession of a return or onward ticket
staying up to 90 days.
Passports must be valid 3 months beyond date of departure
Health:
Must provide the Health Medical Certificate required by the NZ Immigration.
Cultural
Languages | English & Maori | |
Ethnic Groups | European Maori Pacific Islander Other |
88 % 9 % 2 % 1 % |
Religions | Christian Unaffil. & Other |
81 % 19 % |
Cost of Living NZ
New Zealand is a popular destination for international students. It has an excellent education system and internationally
Costs by commodities
A cup of coffee | $ 3.50 – 4.00 |
Hamburger | $ 3.50 – 5.00 |
Bread | $ 2.50 per loaf |
Milk | $ 2.00 per litre |
Banana | $ 2.30 per Kg |
Instant Noodles | $ 0.80 per packet |
Main meal at restaurant | $ 10.00 – 25.00 |
Takeaway pie | $ 2.50 – 3.00 |
Supermarket per week (If not living in homestay) |
$ 100.00 |
Jeans | $ 20 – 200 per item |
Sport shoes | $ 50 per item |
Shirts | $ 25 + per item |
sweatshirts | $ 25 + per item |
Warm padded jackets | $ 100 + per item |
It is generally expected that International Students allow approximately NZ$ 15,000 to NZ$ 19,000 per year available for living and accommodation costs, above the cost of your tuition.
Single bus fare per trip (inner city ride) | $ 0.50 – 9.70 |
Monthly bus pass (travel within Auckland and suburbs) |
$ 110.00 – 170.00 |
Sport shoes | $ 50 per item |
Health Insurance | $ 450 per year |
Cell phone charges | $ 10.00 – 20.00 |
Medical appointments | $ 20.00 – 65.00 |
Hair cut | $ 25.00 – 35.00 |
There may be other costs that you wish to budget for, for example, vacation expenses, travelling, social activities etc.