Cost of Living in New Zealand for Indian Students in 2026
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INR 88,521 (NZD 1,687) is cost of living in New Zealand for Indian students per month. This amount is only for living expenses without house rent. This can vary from person to person and city to city. As an international student in NZ, your spending habits can play an important role in deciding your living expenses in New Zealand.
- Cost of Living in New Zealand for Indians
- Cost of Living in the Top Cities of New Zealand
- Accommodation in New Zealand
- Scholarships to Study in New Zealand
- How to Save Money as a Student in New Zealand?
- Shiksha Study Abroad Poll: Is NZ Your Top Choice?
Cost of Living in New Zealand for Indians
As compared to India, the cost of living in New Zealand is almost 213 per cent higher. According to Numbeo, monthly living expenses in New Zealand for Indian students are INR 88,521 (NZD 1,687). This amount excludes the house rent. It is to be noted that the cost of living in NZ differs from city to city. Below, we have mentioned a table to let you know the category-wise expenses to have a comfortable lifestyle in New Zealand:
| Particulars |
Average Monthly Expenditure (in NZD) |
Monthly Living Expenses in New Zealand (INR) Approximately* |
|---|---|---|
| Housing Rent (1 Bedroom Apartment) |
1,600 to 1,920 |
84,000 to 1,00,800 |
| Food Expenses (Grocery) |
400 to 600 |
21,000 to 31,500 |
| Public Transportation (Monthly Pass) |
190 |
10,000 |
| Phone and Internet (Mobile + Broadband) |
140 |
7,350 |
| Clothing |
100 to 200 |
5,250 to 10,500 |
| Health Expenses (Non-insured visits) |
60 to 100 |
3,150 to 5,250 |
| Fitness & Leisure (Gym, Cinema) |
85 to 150 |
4,500 to 7,900 |
| Utilities (Electricity/Heating/Water) |
150 to 240 |
7,900 to 12,600 |
*Exchange rate used: 1 NZD = ~52.50 INR.
Cost of Living in the Top Cities of New Zealand
Now let’s have a comparison of the cost of living in some of the major cities of New Zealand.
| City Name |
Average Cost of Living Per Year (in New Zealand Dollar) |
|---|---|
| Wellington |
NZD 1,756 |
| Auckland |
NZD 1,745 |
| Hamilton |
NZD 1,486 |
| Christchurch |
NZD 1,632 |
Accommodation in New Zealand
The biggest expense for any student who want to live in New Zealand is house rent. Here we have mentioned a table, where students can find the rent of student accommodation in New Zealand. This can help them to have clear idea about house rent in NZ.
| City | On-Campus Rent (INR/week) | Off-Campus Rent (INR/week) |
|---|---|---|
| Christchurch | 11,000 to 17,600 | 5,500 to 11,000 |
| Auckland | 12,300 to 20,500 | 6,000 to 13,000 |
| Wellington | 11,000 to 18,000 | 6,000 to 11,700 |
| Queenstown | 9,000 to 15,000 | 7,000 to 12,000 |
Scholarships to Study in New Zealand
As mentioned earlier, the cost of living in New Zealand is higher than in India. To manage the expenses, students need to have financial support. So the question is, which are the popular scholarships to study in New Zealand? And how to get them? Government, universities, and private institutions offer scholarships to meritorious students who come to study in NZ. Here are some well-known scholarship programs for students who want to study in NZ:
- Fulbright New Zealand General Graduate Awards
- New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarship (NZIDRS)
- New Zealand International Undergraduate Fees Scholarships
- Commonwealth Scholarships
The eligibility and application process of these scholarships are different. You can read more about them on their official website.
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How to Save Money as a Student in New Zealand?
Is it possible to save money as an international student while studying abroad? Yes, you can save some hard-earned money by your parents by following these tips:
- Choose Shared Flats: Renting a studio apartment is very expensive. Instead, choose to share a flat. It is the most common way to live in NZ and slashes your rent and electricity bills in half.
- Cook At Home: Eating Indian food at restaurants in NZ is a luxury. Also, you can not live only on noodles. Learn to cook dal chawal or roti at home. Buy your groceries from budget supermarkets to save big.
- Use Public Transport Cards: Don't pay cash on buses or trains. Get a transport card (like the AT HOP card in Auckland or Snapper in Wellington). Students get massive fare discounts with these.
- Don't Convert Everything to INR: It is good to budget, but if you convert the price of a coffee to Rupees every time, you will stress yourself out. Keep a budget for everything and stick to it.
- Work Part-Time: Use your 25-hour work rights. Jobs in cafes, supermarkets, or retail are easy to find and pay decent hourly rates, helping you cover your own pocket money.
- Ask for "Student Discounts": Always carry your Student ID. From movie tickets to haircuts and even some fast-food chains, you get special rates just for being a student.
Shiksha Study Abroad Poll: Is NZ Your Top Choice?
Recently, we conducted a poll asking, “Is New Zealand your top choice for higher education?” A total of 294 participants voted in this poll. Of them, 72% responded that New Zealand is their top choice, while nearly 14% said they are still exploring their options. Check out the detailed poll results:
If you are looking ahead to studying abroad and need admission and application-related help, you can sign up for our free Shiksha Abroad Counselling. Or you can write to us in the comments below.
Related Reads
Yes, for Indian students New Zealand is expensive. However, New Zealand is affordable in comparison to other popular destinations like USA and Canada. Rent & groceries will be your the biggest expenses. It is similar to costs in London or Sydney.
Here are some reasons to get your application for New Zealand student visa rejected
- Insufficient funds
- Incomplete or false documents
- Poor academic records
- Low English proficiency scores
- Doubts about genuine study intentions
- Health and character issues
- Inconsistencies in the application
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum Vitae
Living expenses in NZ for Indians are higher than in Indian cities. You need INR 88,521 to cover monthly expenses in New Zealand. This excludes your house rent. Living in student accommodation can be expensive. While a shared flat can help you to save on rent and bills.