You will need somewhere to live while you study, and there are plenty of options available. From apartments in the city to homestays in the countryside, you will find something that suits you and your lifestyle.

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Halls of residence (or hostels)

Usually just a walk away from campus, halls of residence offer fully-furnished single or twin-share rooms with a shared dining hall, lounge and laundry. Meals are often included and you will find a lively programme of social activities. A number of the larger institutions also provide private hostels that run in a similar way, and some have self-contained apartments.

 

Homestay (or private board)

With a homestay, you live with a New Zealand family in their home, usually in a fully-furnished room of your own. They will provide you with meals and help you to settle in day-to-day life in New Zealand. A homestay is a great way to get to know some friendly New Zealanders, develop your English skills and get a close-up look at New Zealand's way of life and culture.

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Flatting / independent accommodation

Flats range from one-bedroom apartments to four or five-bedroom homes, and can be found just about anywhere - close to cities and campuses or further out in the surrounding suburbs, where you are more likely to find gardens and car-parking space.

Most flats include basic equipment such as oven, dishwasher, washing machine and clothes dryer. You and your flat mates will share the cost of rent and usually the phone and energy bills.

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Accommodation costs

The cost of accommodation will vary according to how and where you want to live. Rents are significantly higher in Auckland than in the rest of the country. The national median rent for a four-bedroom house was NZ$460 per week in July 2015, just over NZ$110 a room per week. Auckland's median for this type of accommodation was NZ$550 while the national median excluding Auckland was NZ$395.

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