What to Expect
New Zealand consistently ranks among the top 3 safest countries in the world on the Global Peace Index. Auckland was ranked 7th most liveable city globally. The country is genuinely multicultural, especially in Auckland and Wellington, where you will meet people from every corner of the Pacific, Asia, and beyond.
But “safe and beautiful” doesn’t mean “easy.” Cultural adjustment is real, homesickness hits everyone, and the cost of living will probably surprise you even with the scholarship allowance. The first few weeks feel like a honeymoon — everything is new and exciting. Then reality sets in around week four or five. That’s normal. Every Manaaki scholar before you has gone through the same thing.
Here’s what daily life actually looks like.
Cost of Living Reality
Your scholarship pays NZ$615 per week. How far that goes depends entirely on which city you study in. Here is a realistic weekly breakdown for each major student city.
Auckland
New Zealand’s largest city. Most expensive but most opportunities.
Total weekly basics: NZ$440–570. Your NZ$615 allowance leaves NZ$45–175 for everything else. It’s tight. Shared accommodation is almost essential here unless you want to be counting every dollar.
Wellington
The capital. Compact, walkable, cultural hub. Windy.
Total weekly basics: NZ$375–505. More manageable than Auckland. Wellington is compact enough that you might save on transport if you live near campus. Good balance of city life and affordability.
Christchurch
Rebuilt after the earthquakes. Modern, bike-friendly, close to mountains.
Total weekly basics: NZ$310–420. Your allowance stretches well here. Christchurch has excellent cycling infrastructure and many students ride to campus, cutting transport costs further. A great middle ground between city and affordability.
Dunedin
Student city. Walkable, cheapest in NZ, tight-knit community.
Total weekly basics: NZ$260–370. Your NZ$615 allowance gives you NZ$245–355 left over each week. Most students walk everywhere. Dunedin is the most financially comfortable option by a wide margin. It does get cold in winter, though — budget for a good jacket.
Budget-saving tips from past scholars
- • Shop at Pak’nSave and Countdown — they’re consistently cheaper than New World or Four Square
- • Cook at home. Eating out adds up fast in New Zealand (a basic meal is NZ$18–25)
- • Buy seasonal produce — off-season fruit and vegetables are noticeably more expensive
- • Immigration NZ requires proof of NZ$20,000/year for living expenses. Your scholarship’s NZ$615/week covers basics but is tight in Auckland
Accommodation Options
Where you live makes or breaks your experience. Here are the four main options scholars typically choose from.
University Halls of Residence
Most popular for first-year students
On-campus or near-campus accommodation managed by the university. Meals are usually included in the price, which simplifies budgeting considerably. You get a furnished room, internet, laundry facilities, and a built-in social community. Resident advisors are on hand to help with any issues.
For Manaaki scholars: Undergraduate Manaaki scholars are typically placed in fully catered residential halls. This takes the housing decision off your plate for the first year and makes the transition much smoother.
Homestay
Best for cultural immersion
Living with a local New Zealand family. Meals and utilities are included in the cost. This is the best option if you want to pick up Kiwi culture quickly, improve your English in daily conversation, and have a family support network. Homestay families are vetted by universities or approved agencies. You get your own room, and the family provides breakfast and dinner.
Shared Flat (Flatting)
Most common after first year
Sharing a house or apartment with other students — this is what Kiwis call “flatting” and it’s the most common option after first year. You split rent and utilities between 2–5 people, which makes it 30–40% cheaper than living alone. You handle your own cooking, cleaning, and bills. Look for flats on Trade Me, Facebook groups, or university noticeboards. Start looking 3–4 weeks before you need to move.
Private Apartment
Not recommended on scholarship budget
Living alone gives you privacy and independence, but the cost is steep. In Auckland, you could easily spend 60–70% of your weekly allowance on rent alone. Unless you have personal savings on top of the scholarship, this option will leave you constantly stressed about money. Most scholars who try it end up moving into a shared flat within a few months.
Healthcare in New Zealand
Healthcare in New Zealand works differently from most countries. There are two separate systems you need to understand, and they cover different things. Getting confused about which covers what is one of the most common mistakes international students make.
ACC (Accident Compensation)
ACC covers all accident injuries automatically — no registration needed, no questions about visa status. Sports injuries, falls, car accidents, workplace injuries. If you break your arm playing rugby, ACC pays for treatment.
Important: ACC covers accidents only, not illness. If you get the flu or need treatment for a medical condition, ACC does not apply. That’s what your scholarship insurance is for.
Scholarship Medical Insurance
The Manaaki scholarship covers full medical insurance for the duration of your study. This covers illness, ongoing medical conditions, prescriptions, specialist visits, and anything that isn’t an accident injury.
Know this: International students are NOT eligible for publicly funded health services in New Zealand. Without your scholarship insurance, a GP visit costs NZ$50–80 and hospital stays can run into tens of thousands. Your insurance is essential — never let it lapse.
Mental health support: All New Zealand universities offer free, confidential counselling services to enrolled students. You do not need a referral. You do not need to tell anyone you’re going. The first few sessions are always free, and most universities offer ongoing support throughout your studies. Use it. The adjustment to a new country is harder than people admit.
Weather and Climate
If you’re coming from a tropical country, New Zealand weather will feel like a different planet. The classic Kiwi saying is “four seasons in one day” and it’s not an exaggeration. You can start the morning in sunshine, hit rain by lunch, get a cold wind in the afternoon, and be back to clear skies by evening. It keeps you on your toes.
Reversed Seasons
Summer is December–February, winter is June–August. If you arrive in July, bring warm clothes — it will be mid-winter.
Temperature Range
Summer averages 20–30°C, winter 5–15°C depending on location. South Island (Dunedin, Christchurch) is significantly colder than North Island.
Rain Is Constant
Rain is frequent everywhere in New Zealand. Always carry a rain jacket — not an umbrella (the wind makes umbrellas useless). Wellington is especially notorious for sideways rain.
Extreme UV Radiation
New Zealand’s UV radiation is extremely high due to the thin ozone layer over the Southern Hemisphere. Sunscreen is essential year-round, even on cloudy days. Skin cancer rates are among the highest in the world.
Temperate Maritime
Mild overall — no extreme heat or extreme cold in most regions. But “mild” and “changeable” go hand in hand. Layered clothing is the key strategy.
South vs North Island
If you’re studying at Otago (Dunedin) or Canterbury (Christchurch), expect colder winters, occasional frost, and the possibility of snow nearby. Pack accordingly.
Cultural Adjustment
New Zealand has its own social norms, especially around Māori culture, that might be different from what you’re used to. None of this is hard to learn — but knowing it in advance saves you from awkward moments.
Kiwis are friendly, informal, and direct
New Zealanders (called Kiwis) tend to be relaxed, approachable, and straight-talking. First names are used immediately, even with professors. Don’t read formality as respect here — informality is the norm and it’s not disrespectful.
Learn basic Māori greetings
“Kia ora” (hello) is used everywhere and by everyone. “Haere ra” (goodbye) and “Nau mai” (welcome) are also common. Using them shows respect and people genuinely appreciate the effort.
The hongi is a formal greeting
The hongi (pressing noses together) is a traditional Māori greeting used at certain formal events like pōwhiri (welcoming ceremonies). You will likely experience one during orientation. Follow the lead of whoever is greeting you — they will guide you through it.
“Bring a plate” means bring food to share
If someone invites you to a gathering and says “bring a plate,” they mean bring a dish of food to share — not an empty plate. This catches international students off guard regularly. Prepare something simple from your home country and people will love it.
Don’t sit on tables or place bags on them
In Māori culture, sitting on tables or placing bags or shoes on tables is considered unclean and disrespectful. Tables are for food. This norm is widely observed across New Zealand, not just in Māori settings.
Wait for karakia before eating at formal events
At formal gatherings, meals often begin with a karakia (blessing or prayer). Wait until the karakia is finished before starting to eat. It’s a brief moment of thanks — similar to saying grace in some cultures.
Kiwi humour is dry and self-deprecating
New Zealanders love understatement and poking fun at themselves. It can sound sarcastic if you’re not used to it. They are not being rude — it’s how they show they’re comfortable with you. Don’t take it personally.
Punctuality matters in academics
Being on time is expected in lectures, tutorials, meetings, and especially exams. Social events are more relaxed, but if a professor schedules a meeting at 10am, be there at 9:55am. Consistent lateness is noticed and reflects poorly.
Transport by City
Public transport varies significantly between New Zealand cities. Here’s what’s available where you might be studying.
Auckland
Get an AT HOP card for buses, trains, and ferries. Students get 40%+ off fares with a concession. There’s a $50 weekly fare cap, so once you hit that amount, the rest of the week is free. Auckland is spread out — you will use public transport daily unless you live within walking distance of campus.
Wellington
Get a Snapper card for buses. Wellington is compact but extremely hilly — buses are essential unless you enjoy steep climbs several times a day. The good news is that everything is close. The cable car from Lambton Quay to the Kelburn campus is iconic and practical.
Christchurch
MetroCard with youth discounts for buses. Christchurch is flat, which makes it the most bike-friendly city in New Zealand. Many students buy a second-hand bike and ride everywhere. The city was rebuilt after the earthquakes with excellent cycling infrastructure.
Hamilton
Bee Card bus system with student discounts. The Waikato campus is walkable from central Hamilton. It’s a smaller city, so getting around is straightforward. Most students walk or bus to campus without any issues.
Dunedin
Most students walk everywhere — a car is not needed. The university is right in the centre of town and student accommodation clusters around it. Dunedin has buses but most scholars never use them. It’s that compact. Save yourself the transport money.
Scholar Code of Conduct
As a Manaaki scholar, you are representing your country. The scholarship comes with clear behavioural expectations. Violating these can result in immediate scholarship termination and a requirement to repay costs. Take them seriously.
Obey all New Zealand laws. You are subject to NZ law from the moment you arrive. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse.
Attend all classes, complete assessments, sit all exams. Full attendance and academic engagement are non-negotiable. Skipping classes or missing assessments without valid reasons can trigger a review of your scholarship status.
Devote yourself to full-time study. The scholarship is awarded for study, not work. You are expected to treat your degree as your primary commitment.
Treat others with respect and behave with integrity. This includes academic integrity. Plagiarism, cheating, and dishonesty are taken very seriously at New Zealand universities and can result in academic penalties on top of scholarship consequences.
All forms of violence (physical, sexual, psychological) are criminal offenses in New Zealand and grounds for immediate scholarship termination. This is enforced without exception.
Physical discipline of children is prohibited in New Zealand. This is important for scholars arriving with families. What may be considered normal discipline in your home country can be a criminal offense here. If you have children, familiarise yourself with NZ parenting laws before arrival.
What Past Scholars Say
“From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed. It pushes you. I’ve learned to think more critically and see challenges as opportunities.”
“Receiving the scholarship opened the door of opportunity to my career.”
“Coming to Waikato was the best decision for me!”
Social Life and Community
Your social life is not going to build itself. The scholars who thrive in New Zealand are the ones who actively put themselves out there in the first few weeks. The ones who struggle most are often those who retreat to their room and wait for friendships to come to them. New Zealand was the first country in the world to implement a Code of Practice for Pastoral Care of International Students, so the support systems exist — but you have to use them.
Join Clubs and Societies
This is the single best way to meet people. The University of Auckland has 200+ clubs, Canterbury has 150+. Sports, cultural, academic, hobby-based — there is something for everyone. Sign up at orientation week. Most clubs are free or charge a token fee.
Attend International Student Orientation
Every university runs orientation events specifically for international students. These aren’t optional extras — they are where you meet other scholars, learn about support services, and get practical information about living in your city. Go to all of them.
Buddy Programmes
Most universities offer buddy programmes that pair new international students with current students. Your buddy can show you around, explain how things work, and introduce you to their own friend group. Sign up before or during orientation.
Friendships Take Time
Building friendships with local Kiwi students can take time. Kiwis are friendly but they already have established friend groups from high school. Don’t get discouraged. Keep showing up to the same activities and friendships will develop naturally over weeks, not days.
On homesickness: It is completely normal and it hits everyone. Past Manaaki scholars consistently describe it as a universal experience. It usually peaks around week 4–6 and gradually eases. Staying busy, maintaining routines, and staying connected with family back home (without withdrawing from NZ life) is the best way through it. If it becomes overwhelming, use your university’s free counselling services.