The cost of living in New Zealand

The first few days in a new country are usually quite expensive. You’ll need to take transport to the city from the airport, pay for a hostel for a few days, buy food, have enough money to pay your first week’s rent and the deposit on your new accommodation if you choose to find permanent accommodation on arrival.
The New Zealand government estimates that you will need a minimum of NZ$4,200 on arrival. In any case, try to arrive with more money to cover any contingencies you may encounter (such as problems finding work). Here are a few prices to help you plan your budget for the first few days:

• Bus from the Auckland Airport to the CBD: $17 (about $75 by taxi and about $35 by shuttle).
• Bus from the Wellington Airport to the city centre: $5 ($18 by shuttle and about $45 by taxi).
• A week in a shared room in a hostel: about $175 per person.
• Food budget for a week if you don’t cook (fast food, food court, cheap restaurants): around $200.
• Food budget for a week if you’re cooking (on a tight budget): around $75. The average cost is usually around $110.
• Bond for accommodation: this can be up to the equivalent of 4 weeks’ rent, or around $800-$1200 (more information in the accommodation section of this pack).
• CV printing: approximately $10 for 10 two-page CVs.
• The beer that saves the day (and makes you realise that this is it): around $9-$15.