Housing types
Choosing a place to live is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when you start studying in New Zealand. Here’s what you need to know about the different housing options available for international students.
Housing options
There are many different housing options when you’re studying in New Zealand. The main type of accommodation are student hostels or halls of residence, living with a New Zealand family in a homestay or private board, or renting a house or apartment ('flatting') on your own or with others ('flatmates').
Student hostels or halls of residence
These are a good place to get settled and meet new friends. They’re usually very close to where you're studying.
New Zealand students living away from their home town often choose this option for their first or second years of study so they can learn how to be more independent and find people to 'flat' with (rent a place together) later in their study.
Your education provider organises student hostel or hall of residence accommodation, and this needs to be arranged before you arrive in New Zealand. You usually have your own bedroom and share facilities such as bathrooms, kitchen and recreation areas.
In some halls of residence, meals are provided. To get more information about what your place of study offers, check out their website.
If you haven’t lived away from home before, living in a hall of residence or hostel with other students is a really good way to meet people and learn how to live more independently.
Things like food, furniture (a bed, a desk) and appliances (like washing machines and dryers) are all provided, so it's much easier to start with.
Homestay or private board
Homestay (also called 'private board') means living with a New Zealand family in their home. You usually have your own room that comes with a bed and often a desk. Meals are usually provided and you can join in with family life if you want to.
To find out about other international students' experiences with homestay living, check out these students' stories by Philip Y. Lopez from the Philippines (external link that opens in a new tab) and Josephine Malenga from Tanzania(external link that opens in a new tab).
Flatting (renting a home)
New Zealanders call rented homes ‘flats’. They can be any kind of property, from a city apartment to a large house and garden.
You can rent a house or apartment on your own or join an existing flat as a flatmate.
Joining a flat with flatmates
If you join a place with flatmates you’ll all pay rent to the property owner, known as a landlord. You’ll also share power, heating, water and internet bills. In some flats, flatmates share food expenses and cook together. In others, each flatmate buys their own food and does their own cooking.
You'll usually have a 'flat interview' with the flatmates before you move in. This helps everyone decide if it's a good idea to live together. If you're not sure if food expenses are shared, the 'flat interview' is a good time to ask.
Renting a flat on your own
If you choose to rent a flat on your own, your name will be on the lease and you'll be the tenant responsible to the landlord for the property. Sometimes you have to apply for a flat online with a housing company.
On the application form, they might ask for references from someone like a teacher, employer or former flatmate to make sure you are a considerate person. Make sure you have the names and phone numbers of at least two people so you can apply quickly. Before you decide to rent a flat on your own, check out our information about your rights as a tenant.
Flatting costs
The costs of flatting will be different depending on where you want to live. For instance, a flat in Auckland (which is New Zealand's largest city) will be more expensive than a flat in Dunedin. Check out Tenancy Services market rate tool (external link that opens in a new tab)to find out what the average rent costs are in your area.
Other things also change the cost, for example, if you are choosing to live alone or with others. The size of the house or apartment may also affect the cost.
Remember you’ll also have to pay for power, heating, internet, food and socialising on top of your rent. In some places, you also have to pay for water. All flats should have cooking facilities and some may come with large household appliances like a fridge, dishwasher, and washing machine. Unless a flat is advertised for rent as 'fully furnished', you’ll have to provide all the other furniture and appliances yourself (for example, a bed, a wardrobe, a heater, a desk, a chair). Find out more about the cost of living.
Tip: Houses in New Zealand can be cold. Most houses don't have central heating and you might need to buy a heater for your room. New Zealanders sometimes use electric blankets to warm the bed before they go to sleep in winter.
For both heaters and electric blankets only use them to warm up the room or the bed but don't keep them on all night while you sleep as it can be dangerous and can also cause your electricity bill to be higher. You can buy them at stores like Briscoes (external link that opens in a new tab)and The Warehouse(external link that opens in a new tab).
Related pages
Finding a flat
If you want to learn about being independent, renting a place ('flatting') on your own or with others ('flatmates') is a sure way to learn! Get tips on how to find a flat and what to look for when finding a flat to rent.
Know your flatting rights
Renting a flat or a room in a flat while you're studying in New Zealand can be a great experience, if you know your rights and responsibilities. When renting a property, you need to have a good understanding of tenants’ rights (or renters' rights). Find out what to do if there is a problem when renting in New Zealand.
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