Life in New Zealand
Where to look for accommodation
Online platforms:
- trademe.co.nz — the largest portal for renting accommodation
- realestate.co.nz — ads from agencies
- Facebook groups: Ukrainians in NZ, Ukrainians in Auckland, Ukrainian Association of New Zealand (UANZ)
Tip: Facebook often has ads that are not listed on large portals. You can also contact the owner directly, which increases your chances.
What do you need to sign a lease?
- Passport
- Visa or residence permit
- Proof of income or employment (Payslip/Employment letter)
- Recommendations from previous landlords (optional)
- Deposit (bond)
📌 Life hack: If you have just arrived and do not have a local job, explain the situation, show your savings or a letter of invitation from your employer. Some landlords are willing to meet you.
Advertisements often state: “viewing required before application” — meaning that you can only apply after viewing the property in person. For long-term rentals, it is recommended to have an IRD (tax number) and a bank account.
💡 You can obtain an IRD online or at your nearest Inland Revenue office. You can open a bank account a few days after registering your address. We recommend doing this as soon as possible after arrival.
Newcomers: where to start?
- Consider renting a room (room/flatting) for the first time — fewer documents and obligations
- Book temporary accommodation (via Airbnb or Booking) to get you started
- Prepare all documents in advance in a single PDF file: passport, visa, employment certificate/bank statement
👉 Need help finding accommodation or legal advice? Leave a request on the Visit Ukraine website — our partners in New Zealand will help you get started.
New Zealand has high food prices due to imports and logistics. However, the quality of food is very high.
Where to shop:
Stores: Countdown, New World, Pak’nSave, Four Square.
Average food costs:
- One person — 600–800 NZD/month (360–480 USD)
- Couple — 1,000–1,300 NZD/month (600–780 USD)
- Family with one child — 1,400–1,700 NZD/month (840–1,020 USD)
Prices for basic products:
- Milk (1 liter) — 3.5 NZD (2.1 USD)
- Bread — 3.0–4.0 NZD (1.8–2.4 USD)
- Eggs (12 pieces) — 6.0–8.0 NZD (3.6–4.8 USD)
- Chicken (1 kg) — 12–15 NZD (7.2–9.0 USD)
- Apples (1 kg) — 4–6 NZD (2.4–3.6 USD)
- Pasta (500 g) — 2–3 NZD (1.2–1.8 USD)
📌 The lowest prices are at Pak’nSave, as well as from farmers at local markets. It is worth hunting for discounts towards the end of the day.
Public transportation
Public transportation is available in large cities: buses, ferries, and electric trains.
Cost:
- Single trip (depending on zones) — 2–4 NZD (1.2–2.4 USD)
- Monthly pass:
- Auckland (AT Hop) — from 150 NZD/month (90 USD)
- Wellington (Snapper) — up to 220 NZD/month (130 USD)
Schoolchildren, students, and seniors receive discounts of up to 50%.
📌 It is more economical to pay for travel with a rechargeable transport card (Hop, Snapper) — cash is more expensive.
Taxis
Taxis are available in large cities, but the cheapest and most popular option is Uber or Ola.
Cost of a trip within the city:
- Uber — 20–40 NZD (12–24 USD)
- Taxis — may be more expensive due to a fixed fare (from 3 NZD) and hourly rates
📌 Higher fares apply in the evenings, on holidays, and during rush hour. You can book Uber in advance via the app.
Personal transport
- Gasoline — 2.7–2.9 NZD/l (1.6–1.8 USD/l)
- Parking in the city center — 2–5 NZD/hour (1.2–3 USD/hour)
- Insurance (CTP) — mandatory, from 300 NZD/year (180 USD)
- Technical inspection (Warrant of Fitness — WoF) — mandatory every 6 or 12 months. Cost — 50–70 NZD (30–42 USD)
📌 Driver's license:
Ukrainian licenses are valid for up to 12 months after arrival. After that, you will need to pass a theory and practical test to obtain a local license (NZ driver license).
New Zealand's banking system is considered reliable and customer-oriented. Most banking services are available online, and there is a large network of branches in cities. Foreigners with a residence permit, visa, or even tourist status can open an account, but the conditions depend on the bank.
Major banks:
- ANZ (Australia and New Zealand Banking Group) — the largest bank, with a large network of branches and a convenient mobile app.
- BNZ (Bank of New Zealand) — one of the oldest banks, supports foreign customers.
- Westpac — strong presence on the North Island, option to open an account before arrival.
- Kiwibank — local bank operating through New Zealand Post branches.
- ASB — modern online banking and good support for new arrivals.
For international transfers and multi-currency accounts, Wise, Revolut, and N26 are popular (access is limited but possible with a NZ address).
What you need to open an account:
- Passport
- Visa or residence permit (student/work/resident visa)
- Address in New Zealand (rental agreement, utility bill, letter from the bank, or official letter from the landlord)
- Tax number (IRD — Inland Revenue Department) (not always required to open an account, but will be needed for full use (receiving salary, transfers).
📌 You can apply for an IRD online.
How to open an account?
- Remotely: some banks (e.g., ANZ, Westpac) allow you to open an account in advance, before your arrival, and activate it in the first few days after your arrival. You will need to fill out an online form and upload the required documents.
- At a branch: upon arrival, you need to make an appointment (sometimes in advance). Bring all your documents with you.
📌 Some banks allow you to open an account before arrival (upon prior registration). If you encounter any difficulties, please contact a Visit Ukraine lawyer for advice.
Mobile
Operators: Spark, Vodafone NZ, 2degrees.
Tariffs:
- Prepaid — 20–30 NZD/month for 5–10 GB (12–18 USD)
- Contract — from 40 NZD/month for 30+ GB (24 USD)
- Unlimited — 80–100 NZD/month (50–60 USD)
Home internet:
- Price — 70–110 NZD/month for fiber optic (45–65 USD)
- Speed — 100–300 Mbit/s
- Providers: Spark, Orcon, Slingshot
Education in New Zealand is free for resident children (aged 5 to 19).
Kindergartens:
- Free up to 20 hours/week (for children aged 3–5)
- Full day — NZD 800–1,200/month (USD 480–720) in private institutions
Schools:
- Public schools are free, but there may be fees for field trips, uniforms, and extracurricular activities
- Private schools — from NZD 15,000/year (USD 9,000)
- Language of instruction — English; ESL support is available for immigrant children
📌 Required for enrollment: birth certificate, medical certificates, residence documents, proof of address.
New Zealand's healthcare system is partially free for residents. Only emergency care is available to foreigners.
It is mandatory to have medical insurance for the duration of your stay.
Insurance:
- Students — 400–600 NZD/year (240–360 USD)
- Migrants — NZD 800–1,200/year (USD 480–720)
- Tourists — NZD 70–150/month (USD 42–90)
💡 You can take out international insurance through Visit Ukraine — online, in Ukrainian, with coverage in New Zealand.
Fines and rules of conduct
In New Zealand, following the rules is part of everyday life. Even minor violations can be costly.
- Travelling without a ticket on public transport — NZD 150 (USD 90)
- Jaywalking — NZD 35 (USD 21)
- Speeding — from NZD 80 (USD 48) and up, depending on the speed
📌 Good to know: fines may also be imposed for illegal parking, noise violations, or unpaid bills. Everything is officially recorded, with notification by mail or online.
Language courses
Knowledge of English greatly facilitates adaptation, and support is available for newcomers in New Zealand:
- Basic free ESL courses (English as a Second Language) for refugees and residents
- Courses at municipalities, public schools, and churches — local programs are available in cities
- Online resources:
- NZQA (official course accreditation)
- FutureLearn, Coursera — flexible formats for learning English online
Most courses are designed for different levels — from basic to academic.
Integration and communities
Moving to a new country is not just about paperwork, but also about finding a support network. New Zealand has several initiatives to help newly arrived Ukrainians:
- Ukrainian communities:
- Auckland Ukrainian Community
- Ukrainian Association of New Zealand
- Information centers for adaptation:
- Settlement Services — government and community advice
Here you can get help with taxes, education, housing, language integration, and join events, clubs, and volunteer initiatives.
📌 We recommend joining Facebook or Telegram groups of Ukrainians in New Zealand, where you can discuss housing, education, work, legal issues, and, most importantly, always find someone who has already gone through a similar journey and is ready to offer advice.
Visit Ukraine services in New Zealand
Life in New Zealand is a new experience and a great opportunity. But the path to adaptation is easier with reliable support.
At Visit Ukraine, you can:
We help Ukrainians around the world 💙