1. NZ Dollar
Get your money changed. Check what your local currency is worth against the NZD and make sure to sort out your bank accounts before you travel. Here is a list of the major banks in the country. Getting an IRD tax number before you arrive should also be high on your priority list. If you are trying to bring over $10,000 NZD into the country, you also must declare it. The best idea is to travel with a small amount of local NZ currency on you, but with plenty of banks/atms/options etc available locally - you can always get more.

 

2. Official Languages
New Zealand have three official languages – English, Te Reo Māori and Sign language. The main language in New Zealand is English. However, the indigenous people of the country are the Māori, and their language is Te Reo Māori. After the colonisation of New Zealand, Te Reo Māori was on the decline. However, thanks to major efforts in recent times, people are once again taking an interest in learning to speak, read and write both English and Te Reo Māori. New Zealanders have a unique accent and slang words, which might take some getting used to! Here’s a couple of blogs to help you out with our slang words (yeah-nah, sweet as) and words for objects (lollies, jandals, EFTPOS).

 

3. Culture
New Zealand is predominantly a mix of European and Māori culture, with plenty of other international flavours mixed in around the larger city areas of Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. Auckland is truly an international city, with over 1.5 million people from all over the world calling New Zealand’s largest urban sprawl home. The capital city is Wellington, with a smaller population of around 400,000 people and four cities (Wellington City, Porirua, Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt). The mix of cultures means that there are some Māori customary practices adopted by Kiwis that you may not be familiar with:
- The only thing that should go on tables are food or eating utensils, do not sit on tables or put objects such as bags or hats on them.

- Māori people consider food and heads ‘tapu’ (sacred), so do not touch someone’s food or head without permission.

- Avoid stepping over people or crossing the room when someone of authority is speaking. It is considered offensive to step over someone or to cross a speaker’s path.

- Do not sit directly on pillows/cushions – these are for your head or back.

Along with the Māori customs, Kiwis also have a distinctly European tradition to be aware of. If you are asked to “bring a plate” this means that you should buy or make some food to take with you to the shared lunch/host house.

 

4. Choose a school/college/university
Depending on your age, what you want to do and where you are hoping to live, this is an important decision. Choosing the right education provider is essential in ensuring an unforgettable New Zealand experience.

 

5. Get a scholarship
There are some scholarships open to international students from certain countries, so make sure to do your research and see if you can find one that is available to you. You can potentially get a scholarship for school, college or university in NZ.

 

6. Sort your Visa
You will need a visa to study in New Zealand, and we highly recommend you visit the Immigration NZ website before travelling to ensure that you have all the information you need to correctly get your visa. If you are studying for longer than three months in total duration you will need a NZ student visa. Some students may also be able to work up to 20 hours per week during the term and full-time in holiday breaks, depending on your visa conditions.

7. Book a flight
You can choose to book with Air New Zealand, or one of your local airlines, just make sure you get your flights to Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Queenstown or Dunedin. Save the date and have your passport at the ready! New Zealand has strict customs and border patrol laws, so make sure to declare all of your items correctly before arrival.

 

8. Get your accommodation sorted
It’s good to have the places you will be staying at sussed before you arrive in the country! Whether it be student accommodation, a flat, a homestay or other living arrangements, be sure to have checked that you will have a room to sleep in!

 

9. Check the living costs
You might be surprised at the cost of living here in New Zealand, with petrol prices, groceries and rent all rising steadily in the past few years. Luckily, immigration New Zealand has put together a calculator which compares living costs.

 

10. Get a job
Having a job secured before you move to NZ will help you with your visa application and managing your finances when you arrive in the country. There are several sites and places to choose from to search for a job here. These include: Student Job Search, TradeMe, Seek and LinkedIn.


Who are iStudent Complaints and what can we help you with?
iStudent Complaints is an independent dispute resolution scheme established by the New Zealand Government. Our objective is to encourage swift settlement of contractual and financial disputes between international students and their providers in New Zealand.
As an independent and impartial service, we are not affiliated with any Education providers.

Why did we do this blog?
Even if we need to step in one day to help you resolve a dispute, we want you to enjoy studying and living in our amazing country as much as we do. To that end, we’ve created this content so that you may continue to explore and experience the best New Zealand can offer