New Zealand - British Expat Forum

Hi all

I am in the process of making sure of my finances (and a bit more) that I have covered everything. I am (hopefully) coming over to start at the polytechnic in Tauranga in June this year. These are the areas I have thought of so far:
visa fees
student fees (and books etc)
living costs
flights
rentals cost

Now - I can't find anything about the cost of:
food
bus fares
insurance for health.

Is there anything else that I have missed out?

I am English but have lived in France for 3 years now (if that helps)

Also, is there anyone out there that knows of any furnished rentals in the area of the polytechnic? I have looked on the web site and also I know the polytechnic have places - but you can never have enough info!!!

Thanks in advance.

Okay lets do it this way!

Food: You have a number of Supermarkets and they are:

1. New World
2. Countdown
3. Woolworths
4. Pak'n'save
5. Foodtown

Although Pak'n'Save is regarded as the cheapest store throughout NZ some research done does not view this as true. It can also be said that as a rule New World is the most expensive.

You also have 4 Square which are corner "New World" stores. These places are usually known for large marked up prices especially in the more remoter places.

There are also large butcher shops either "Export Butchers" or the Mad Butcher, who both sell packs of cheaper meats.

Add your dairies and there can be a host of places to do food shopping.

Must never forget the huge amount of cars that park on the side of the road selling fresh produce of the season and the Veggie shops selling an array of fresh veggies.

Price wise, well I guess there will be a healthy debate on this point. I find prices of most stuff quite reasonable. Dairy products took a hammering in the past few years and are the pricier food stuffs. All other areas if you are on a budget shop around I think you'll be very happy.

Don't forget your quota of shellfood if you get to the beach you can live well on the shellfish you can gather.

I can't help with busses, we do not have public transport where I live lol

Insurance for health, is a little misleading I feel. You register with a Health Centre and it costs around $20 - $45/50 depending on where you live to see a GP.

I've been sent a list of the cost of living in Wellington for 2008 (done by a relocation consultancy, but with no advertising in it...) - it gives info on average costs of food, as well as house prices, cars, electrical goods etc. It's only 7 pages long, but gives a good precis of how much things cost. (Nothing on insurance / bus fares, though)

If you want a copy, I'm happy to email one over (can't attach on the forum) - my email address is jobfoster AT gmail.com (please put something specific in the title!)

If you want to be specific about what type of foodstuffs I can furnish you with a list of 'todays' prices here in NZ.

In fact if you google some of the supermarkets above you will get some idea of prices.

After 8 years of living here, i can tell you the cost of living in my opinion is far better.

Hi all,
Thank you very much for your replies - I have just got back to France after a short visit back to England (it is the first time I have been back in 3 years and I tell you all - I did not enjoy the experiance one bit.)
The type of "food" items - well, I think the best thing is to let you know about me.
I don't eat red meat (no not a vegi but can't stomach fat at all) I eat white meat though. Love vegatables and fruit - milk, yoghurts, cereals, bread, pasta, healthy stuff.

Basically, a rough guide for 1 person per week.

Have a good day !!

Just to give you an idea... My partner and I cook every night and use pretty good ingredients, including 2 red meat dishes, one fish and 2 white meat dishes a week and it costs us $115NZD at the supermarket... this also includes a bottle of wine or two.

There are several super markets as the previous person mentioned... in my opinion Foodtown is the most expensive and Pak 'n' Save is the cheapest.

Hope that helps!

Just found out this post. We spent about NZD 20 per day while traveling. Most of the time we were eating out for lunch and cook our own food for dinner! HOpe this helps. That was the cost for end of Year 2009.