New Zealand is renowned for its stunning green climate, charming cities, plenty of space and a relaxed way of life. All of this makes the country a popular choice with British expats, while the two islands offer something for everyone looking to start a new life overseas.

The North Island contains Auckland, the most populous city in New Zealand, as well as the capital Wellington. Alternatively, the South Island is home to Christchurch and Queenstown. The north typically experiences about twice as much rain as the south, offering a more British climate, while the small landmass of New Zealand means you are never too far from the sea.

The cost of living in New Zealand is considered to be generally high, however more affordable than Australia and London, with Auckland ranked as the 89^th most expensive city in the world according to Mercer’s 2019 Cost of Living Survey.

The currency used in New Zealand is the New Zealand dollar, with 1 British pound equalling 1.97 NZ$ (as of 6^th January 2020). Converting New Zealand prices into British pounds can be a good way to gauge a clearer understanding of the difference between the cost of living in New Zealand and in the UK. You can monitor the GBP to NZD rate from our Currency Zone. 

(All figures taken from Numbeo.com and exchange rates calculated on 6^th January 2020 at 17:15pm).

 

How much does accommodation cost in New Zealand?

The price of accommodation varies slightly throughout New Zealand, with major cities such as Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington requiring premium rental and property prices. However, these are generally regarded as on par with London prices, while more affordable accommodation can be found in cities such as Christchurch and Rotorua.

 

Auckland

Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£956.01 (1,8878 NZ$)
Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£802.85 (1,585 NZ$)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£1,697 (3,351 NZ$)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£1,386 (2,737 NZ$)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (city centre)	£5,295 (10,458 NZ$)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (outside centre)	£4,314 (8,520 NZ$)

 

Wellington

Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (city centre)	904.34 (1,786 NZ$)
Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£727.79 (1,437 NZ$)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£1,588 (3,136 NZ$)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£1,196 (2,361 NZ$)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (city centre)	£3,354 (6,623 NZ$)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (outside centre)	£2,290 (4,530 NZ$)

 

Christchurch

Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£735.24 (1,452 NZ$)
Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£600.46 (1,186 NZ$)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£1,067 (2,107 NZ$)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£945.98 (1,868 NZ$)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (city centre)	£2,604 (5,143 NZ$)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (outside centre)	£1,772 (3,500 NZ$)

 

Queenstown

Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£1,038 (2,050 NZ$)
Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£894.62 (1,767 NZ$)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£1,975 (3,900 NZ$)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£1,582 (3,125 NZ$)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (city centre)	£7,596 (15,000 NZ$)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (outside centre)	£5,064 (10,000 NZ$)

 

Cost of transport in New Zealand

Public transport is more limited in New Zealand than in the UK or Australia. Local bus services operate regularly in the larger cities, while Auckland and Wellington offer local rail services. However, in smaller cities and more rural areas, the public transport options can be fewer and further between.

Most residents in New Zealand rely on their own cars for their day to day travel and for navigating the country. Prices of cars are comparable, if not slightly more affordable, than in the UK, while petrol is of a similar price. 

Single bus ticket	£1.75 (3.46 NZ$)
Monthly public transport ticket	£75.96 (150.00 NZ$)
Petrol (1 litre)	£1.11 (2.19 NZ$)
Volkswagen Golf	£17,718 (34,990 NZ$)
Toyota Corolla	£15,245 (30,106 NZ$)

 

What is the cost of living in New Zealand?

British expats typically find the cost of groceries and essentials to be considerably more expensive than what they were used to in the UK. However, the cost of restaurants, pubs, cafes and other leisure activities can be compared more favourably, while the cost of living in New Zealand depends entirely on your preferences and requirements.

Milk (1 litre)	£1.33 (2.62 NZ$)
Bread (500g loaf)	£1.17 (2.31 NZ$)
Eggs (12pk)	£2.48 (4.89 NZ$)
Water (1.5 litre bottle)	£0.95 (1.87 NZ$)
Chicken Breast (1kg)	£6.27 (12.38 NZ$)
Cappuccino (regular, in a restaurant)	£2.33 (4.60 NZ$)
Beer (500ml, in a restaurant/pub)	£4.56 (9.00 NZ$)
Cinema ticket	£8.10 (16.00 NZ$)
Gym membership (monthly)	£28.53 (56.34 NZ$)
Preschool/Kindergarten (monthly)	£537.51 (1,062 NZ$)
Primary School (yearly)	£8,959 (17,692 NZ$)

 

If you’ve decided to move to New Zealand, you’ll want to ensure you get the most out of your money when you send payments abroad. A moneycorp international payments account offers you excellent exchange rates and low transfer fees when you send money to New Zealand to fund your new life. Whether you’re transferring your savings or making overseas pension payments, you can get more for your money with the help of our foreign exchange specialists.