Finding housing in New Zealand

For your first few nights, you could book an Airbnb or a youth hostel. To compare rates of youth hostels, visit hostelworld.com or booking.com.

In New Zealand, having roommates is very common. It’s a great way to meet locals and other travellers, but also to avoid feeling isolated. Before signing any contract or lease, check whether the price includes utility bills.

In cities, many rentals come already furnished, though you still might need to buy some small furnishings. To make the house feel like home, Warehouse and K-mart offer a selection of products at low prices (though quality may not always be top notch). Also check out Facebook Marketplace or “op shops”, second hand stores that are popular in New Zealand.

Main websites for housing

• Trademe: This is New Zealand’s #1 site for classified ads
• Flatmates
• Facebook Marketplace

Like on any online marketplace, beware of scams. Don’t send money to anyone before you are reasonably sure of the posting’s legitimacy.

You may also notice advertisements posted in hostels and supermarkets. Local newspapers are also a good source of information. Rent figures are weekly, not monthly. Rent is generally paid weekly, though some landlords may allow you to pay every other week.

If you plan to move around regularly, you might decide to stick to hostels and Airbnbs. Some hostels offer working holiday makers the option of staying in their car or van on the property’s car park at a reduced rate.