New Zealand is a vibrant and active place where you can choose the type of lifestyle you enjoy. We have busy cities and quiet countryside. We have arts and culture, sports and leisure activities. We have local business, research and development, and community. Take your pick, and create the life you want.
Open a New Zealand bank account online now
Apply online to open an account now so you have one less thing to worry about once you arrive. If you need to ask us a question, talk to our International Banking Services team who is here to help.
Moving to New Zealand
If you have just moved to New Zealand, Settlement Support helps you find free resources and information so you can quickly settle into your new community.
If you are still considering moving to New Zealand, here is some information you may find helpful.
Finding a home
What should I know about buying a house in New Zealand?
Getting a job
How do I find employment in New Zealand?
Tax
Where do I find out about tax?
Cost of living
The cost of living in New Zealand depends on where and how you choose to live. For example, houses in Auckland generally cost more than in other parts of New Zealand but many people in Auckland are generally paid more. Rural workers may have cheaper living costs but be paid less.
Find out more about the cost of living in New Zealand. The ENZ cost of living calculator can help you work out how much you'll need to earn to meet the costs of living in New Zealand.
Banking services
Find information on New Zealand banks.
Schools and universities
Find information on education in New Zealand.
The health system
Find out how the New Zealand health system works.
Community organisations
New Zealand has many community and cultural organisations. Explore Communitynet Aoearoa to find them.
Sports and hobbies
Sport and Recreation New Zealand can help you find sports, clubs, coaches and other information.
Transport in New Zealand
There are many transport choices in New Zealand such as buses, cars, bicycles, trains, planes and ferries.
Most people in New Zealand have a car, but there are also plenty of public transport options. People in cities and many small towns use the bus to get around. Trains are mainly only used for travelling between cities.
Auckland and Wellington both have some trains that bring people into town from some outer suburbs. Both cities also have ferries that cross the harbour, and there is also an inter-island ferry service available.
Did you know these facts about New Zealand?
- 22% of New Zealand's residents were born overseas.
- No part of New Zealand is more than 128 km from the sea.
- There are about 8 or 9 sheep in New Zealand for every 1 person.
- 30% of New Zealand's land is covered in forest.
- The highest mountain in Australasia is 'Cloud Piercer', or Aoraki Mount Cook, in the South Island. It is 3,754 metres high.
Statistics New Zealand has plenty of information about every aspect of life in New Zealand.
The right job is important for your new life in New Zealand. Most New Zealand companies are small businesses, with between 5 and 10 staff. But there are also many corporate and multi-national organisations.
A good start for getting a job in New Zealand is to create or update your resume, so it outlines your experience and qualifications. Then you're ready to look for work.
If you come to work and live in New Zealand permanently or temporarily you need to know about what kinds of industries we have and where they are, work permits, visas, tax, pay rates, your rights and other information. The links below will help you find what you need to know.
We also have helpful information about finding a house, schools and universities, immigration and visas and banking.
Visas, work permits and tax
- Do I need a visa or work permit?
- Do I need to pay tax, and how much?
New Zealand jobs for immigrants
Immigration NZ's guide to working in New Zealand details temporary and permanent visa requirements. They also have a useful guide on employers' and employees' rights and the job market(PDF 700kB) in New Zealand.
How to get a job in New Zealand
Many jobs in New Zealand are listed online:
Your first job: apply online now for a New Zealand bank account
Apply online to open an ANZ New Zealand bank account so you're ready for your first payday.
This material is for information purposes only. You should seek professional advice relevant to your individual circumstances. While ANZ has taken care to ensure that this information is from reliable sources, it cannot warrant its accuracy, completeness or suitability for your intended use. To the extent permitted by law, ANZ does not accept any responsibility or liability arising from your use of this information.
When you move to New Zealand one of your first big decisions is where to live. Many people start out by renting a house until they get a job.
Buying a house means finding a place you can afford. You may want to be near friends, family, work, particular schools, and a community you feel close to. Buses, trains and access to other transport options may be important too.
New Zealand houses
Most New Zealand houses are stand-alone buildings made of wood or brick, usually with some garden. They usually don't have central heating or double-glazing. Newer homes are insulated but older houses may not be.
Renting a house in New Zealand
Renting is a legal contract where the landlord provides a home, while the tenant lives in the property and pays rent to the landlord. We suggest you check with a lawyer before you sign any rental agreement.
A rental bond
When you sign a rental agreement you must pay a bond of approximately four weeks rent. The bond money is a security for the landlord while you are renting the property. Tenancy Services hold the bond money, and you get your bond money back when the agreement ends, provided you meet all the conditions.
Information on renting homes in New Zealand
Immigration NZ's Everything you need to know about finding a home in New Zealand (PDF 604kB).
Emigrate NZ's Guide to house and flat rentals.
Look online for rental properties
TradeMe Rental Properties is a popular website that lists rental properties. Most real estate agencies also list rental properties on their websites.
Buying a house in New Zealand
Different areas in New Zealand have different styles of properties and house prices vary tremendously. Many New Zealanders buy their own homes, so the housing market is very competitive.
You can buy a home privately, but most people use an agent who is an expert on the local area. Real estate agents usually advertise properties in local New Zealand newspapers, in free local property guides and on the Internet.
Choose a real estate agent who is a member of the Real Estate Institute New Zealand (MREINZ) as it has a code of practice for its members and requires them to meet certain standards.
A home loan
If you want to buy a house in New Zealand you can choose from many home loan options.
To see how much you may be entitled to borrow, check out the following online calculators:
ANZ lending criteria, terms and conditions and fees apply to all loans. More information, including full terms and conditions for all of ANZ's lending products can be obtained from any ANZ branch. Please read our Reserve Bank disclosure statement.
New Zealand house prices
Search the real estate institute website to see market trends and pricing indexes.
Emigrate NZ's guide to real estate, houses and property in New Zealand also has information about buying a house in New Zealand.
Immigration NZ's Everything you need to know about finding a home in New Zealand (PDF 604kB) is a useful resource.
Quotable value limited provides property reports along with official valuations.
Look online for houses to buy in New Zealand
Here are some popular websites that list properties for sale:
Move now to apply online for a New Zealand bank account
When it's time to rent or buy you'll need to be ready to pay the bills. Apply online now to open an ANZ account so there's one less thing to worry about when you arrive in New Zealand.
This material is for information purposes only. You should seek professional advice relevant to your individual circumstances. While ANZ has taken care to ensure that this information is from reliable sources, it cannot warrant its accuracy, completeness or suitability for your intended use. To the extent permitted by law, ANZ does not accept any responsibility or liability arising from your use of this information.
In New Zealand all children aged 5 to 16 years must attend school. Parents and guardians can apply to enrol their children at any New Zealand state, independent or private school.
New Zealand schools
State schools must accept children who live in their area, but they may refuse others from further away. Find out more about school zones.
State schools receive funding from the government or donation. At the start of each year, schools usually ask parents to pay a small fee to help provide extra activities. Private or independent schools usually accept students from outside the local area and may offer specialist subjects. They generally charge significant fees.
Independent Schools of New Zealand is a national body that represents independent private schools in New Zealand.
The Independent Schools Directory lists independent schools from around the world.
The Education Review Office reports on all New Zealand schools.
The school year usually starts at the end of January and finishes in December for the six week summer holiday. The year is divided into four terms. The Ministry of Education sets school term dates.
The early years of study
Five year olds start primary school at year 1 and finish at year 6, when they are around 10 or 11 years old.
Many children attend a separate intermediate school for two years before starting secondary school. In some areas the primary or secondary school may include those two intermediate years for 11 and 12 year olds. Secondary school starts at Year 9.
Many children continue their studies to Year 13. Sometimes adult students attend classes at secondary schools to catch up on studies they missed out on.
Where adults study in New Zealand
Technical institutes or polytechnics teach technical skills, languages, adult education, hospitality and other subjects. New Zealand's universities deliver high standards in research and teaching across a range of disciplines and subjects.
The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) ensures that qualifications from New Zealand universities and other institutions are seen as credible and robust both in New Zealand and overseas. They also have information about coming to study in New Zealand.
New Zealand universities
- University of Auckland
- Auckland University of Technology
- University of Canterbury
- Lincoln University
- Massey University
- University of Otago
- University of Waikato
- Victoria University of Wellington
More information about studying in New Zealand
The Ministry of Education’s guide for international students who want to study in New Zealand.
Immigration New Zealand’s quick guide to studying in New Zealand, includes brief information about visas, work and how long you can stay if you’re studying in New Zealand.
Detailed information about student visas is also available from Immigration New Zealand, covering working, your length of stay, partners and children, insurance and exams.
Learn about our online sign-up for a New Zealand bank account
There will be fees to pay, books and equipment to buy and you'll need a place to live and they don't come free.
Apply online now to open a New Zealand bank account so you can focus on studying, not on getting set up.
This material is for information purposes only. You should seek professional advice relevant to your individual circumstances. While ANZ has taken care to ensure that this information is from reliable sources, it cannot warrant its accuracy, completeness or suitability for your intended use. To the extent permitted by law, ANZ does not accept any responsibility or liability arising from your use of this information.
This material is for information purposes only. You should seek professional advice relevant to your individual circumstances. While ANZ has taken care to ensure that this information is from reliable sources, it cannot warrant its accuracy, completeness or suitability for your intended use. To the extent permitted by law, ANZ does not accept any responsibility or liability arising from your use of this information.
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