How much does it cost to live in New Zealand as an international student?

New Zealand is moderately expensive to live in, particularly in Auckland. Here is what to budget:

Auckland (most expensive city):
- Rent (shared flat/room): NZD 800–1,500/month
- Food: NZD 300–500/month
- Transport (public): NZD 100–150/month
- Total: NZD 1,300–2,200/month

Wellington:
- Rent: NZD 700–1,200/month
- Total: NZD 1,100–1,900/month

Christchurch / Dunedin (less expensive):
- Rent: NZD 500–900/month
- Total: NZD 900–1,500/month

Immigration New Zealand minimum living cost standard: NZD 15,000/year (NZD 1,250/month) — this is the minimum you must demonstrate for your visa, not a recommended budget.

Tuition fees:
- Undergraduate degree: NZD 22,000–35,000/year (international fees)
- Master's: NZD 25,000–45,000/year
- PhD: Many NZ universities offer domestic-rate fees for PhD students (approximately NZD 7,000–9,000/year) — a significant saving
- Check if your institution has fee concessions for doctoral students

Student discounts: Tertiary students get discounts on public transport, entertainment, and many services.

Working 20 hours/week at NZD 23/hour = approximately NZD 1,900/month — enough to cover most living costs outside of Auckland. Many students work to offset costs significantly.