Although studying in New Zealand is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, it can be expensive due to the country’s isolation and high cost of living. Read on for some straightforward advice from a Kiwi expat on how to lessen the cost of your education in Aotearoa.
It’s easy to see why New Zealand is one of the best places to study abroad, with its world-class colleges, breathtaking scenery, kind and hospitable culture, and practically limitless options for adventure.
Since New Zealand is a very expensive alternative, many students may not even explore this great country due to financial constraints, which is the main difficulty faced by most students when determining where to study abroad. Flights from the northern hemisphere, and notably the United States, are long and expensive, adding to the high expense of living.
Here are nine suggestions to help you save money and make studying in New Zealand much more affordable, so that you can see and do as much as possible during your time there without going into debt.
Remember that there is only so much you can do to cut costs and stick to a budget. Fortunately, there are opportunities for off-campus support, including as scholarships and fellowships, that can be applied for right now.
What is the cost of higher education in New Zealand?
Understanding the range of possible expenses will help you plan financially and mentally for your time abroad, whether you enroll directly with a university or travel through a program provider, the place you choose to study in, or your capacity to acquire funding. Your primary expenses will be for tuition (or program fees), housing (including rent and food), and transportation (including flights).
There are four universities in New Zealand, two on the North Island (Auckland and Victoria) and two on the South (Dunedin and Christchurch): the University of Otago and the University of Canterbury. The (even more) remote location of the South Island raises travel costs, which more than cancels out the reduced cost of living there, thus budget-conscious travelers should look into North Island possibilities first.
Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that you’ve decided to attend the University of Dunedin on the South Island. If that’s the case, you’ll need to arrive in Auckland, catch a flight to the South Island, and then figure out how to go from there to your final destination. With these costs in mind, it’s clear that attending the University of Auckland is not just the best option, but also the most practical.
Check out our post that compares the costs of studying in different New Zealand cities, including tuition and living expenses. The following table provides a visual comparison of the cost of living in each city.
Read next: preparing-application-to-study-abroad
Get around with the help of InterCity.
The InterCity bus network connects more than 600 points around New Zealand, making it one of the most cost-effective ways to go around the country. Buses are modern, safe, and pleasant, and the company offers a wide variety of routes. There is even a sleeper train with lie-flat beds that runs overnight between Auckland and Wellington. There are several routes where you can get a one dollar fare if you book far in advance. The Flexipass is InterCity’s hourly bus pass, where riders pay for their travel in advance and receive a discount.
Enjoy the benefits of BYOW cafes.
After a week of studying, you might be looking forward to relaxing with a beautiful supper and a bottle of New Zealand’s world-famous white wine.
Why not bring your own bottle of wine rather than paying by the glass? The city of Auckland is home to many New Zealand “BYOW” eateries. Of course, preparing meals at home is the most cost-effective option, but sampling the local cuisine is an important part of truly immersing yourself in a new culture, so strike a happy medium without breaking the bank.
Enjoy the open trails at no cost.
The thrills of bungee jumping, parasailing, and skydiving are undeniably alluring, and New Zealand is widely recognized as the world’s adventure capital. If you’ve traveled all the way to New Zealand, chances are you want to spend your free time engaging in some high-octane activities.
Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on the aforementioned activities, you might spend that time hiking one of New Zealand’s beautiful trails, such as the Tauranga Stream Suspension Bridge Loop Walk or the Long Bay Walk. The treks are not only great alternatives to the pricey extreme thrill sports, but they also provide excellent vantage points of the beautiful surroundings. Plus, they’re all gratis, so they won’t break your student budget.
Save money on airfare by using a tool that monitors prices over time.
Because round-trip airfare to New Zealand can cost as much as $3,000, travelers should plan ahead and purchase their tickets. Skyscanner and the Hopper app are two examples of tools that may be used to compare costs and locate the best deals.
You may get the most bang for your buck by using these tactics the next time you book an overseas flight. Booking a weekday flight, especially during the offseason, will save you money compared to a weekend flight. Keep in mind that New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere, therefore its seasons are opposite to those in the northern hemisphere, such as the United States. This implies that the busiest time to visit (and the height of summer) is between the months of December and February.
If you can’t find a direct trip, it may be cheaper to book multiple flights with different airlines. However, it may be more convenient to book flights with the same airline. Another piece of advice is to keep an eye out for the various optional costs that airlines may impose, such as those for checked bags and preferred seating. While the flight on one airline can seem more affordable at first glance, the savings will quickly disappear if you bring a luggage or select a window seat.
Last but not least, please pack light. Not only is it a pain to lug around extra bags and suitcases, but it may also add hundreds of dollars to your round-trip airfare. You may want to leave behind some products that you can get in New Zealand, and you should save some space for souvenirs you may pick up along the journey.
Get a City Pass for yourself.
Talking to local classmates will help you discover that Wellington and Auckland are New Zealand’s two major metropolitan areas. There is a wide variety of tourist destinations in both cities to choose from. You’ll want to see them all so you can learn about the country’s history and culture, but the cost of visiting so many museums and other sights in one trip can really add up. City Pass is available in both Wellington and Auckland, allowing visitors to view a variety of attractions at a set, discounted charge.
Bookmark Bookme.co.nz.
BookMe is an internet deal site that you should definitely check out before booking a reservation if you want to take a study break over the weekend and go on any of the popular excursions. The exciting activities like jet boating, mountain biking, rock climbing, zip-lining, and many more are all available at steep discounts on BookMe. In addition, BookMe makes it possible to reserve your preferred experience without leaving the comfort of your own home.
It’s my best recommendation to help you save money without missing out on the experiences you came to New Zealand for if you plan to take any of the excursions to major locations.
Use the public places with free WiFi.
Turning off cellular data will save you from incurring astronomical data roaming fees. Grab a seat at one of the many coffee shops offering free WiFi when you need to use the internet, whether for academic research or to update your social media followers on how your semester abroad is going.
If you’re not a fan of coffee, big cities like Wellington and Auckland have internet cafés where you can get on the web for a reasonable price. In addition, it is easy to find a McDonald’s everywhere in New Zealand, and they all provide high-quality Internet access.
Get all of your food and drink at Pak'nSave.
Pak’nSave is a grocery warehouse retailer that competes with Costco by offering some of the lowest prices on food items. Indeed, its tagline is as succinct as it is effective: “Our Policy: NZ’s Lowest Food Prices.” There is no need to go grocery shopping anywhere else in New Zealand because there are 57 convenient sites that can be clearly identified by their bright yellow exteriors.
Buying food in bulk from Pakn’Save can help you save a lot of money. If you want to impress your peers with a delicious meal, make sure to shop for supplies at Pak’nSave.
Don't buy mementos; instead, share your travels with loved ones through photography.
Manuka honey and ultra-soft merino sheep wool may be found in nearly every New Zealand souvenir shop. The price tag may be off-putting at first, but these souvenirs make excellent gifts for loved ones back home.
Why not send a picture of the beautiful scenery to your loved ones instead of breaking the budget (and taking up valuable luggage space) on expensive gifts like these? Stunning photographs of the landscape may be taken by anyone, regardless of experience or equipment. In addition, the people back home will value getting a glimpse of the places you visit during your study abroad experience.
Put your plans to study in New Zealand into action.
Studying in New Zealand is a fantastic way to broaden your horizons, gain insight into a new culture, and get excited about exploring the world. From personal experience, I can say that one must be frugal to enjoy all that New Zealand has to offer. Even though these suggestions will assist, most of us still won’t be able to afford to study in New Zealand on our own. Applying for scholarships and grants from institutions and providers is a great way to go closer to realizing your goals.
Ready to take the next steps in your planning process? For a life-changing study abroad experience, see our other posts!
