Making friends
Moving to a new place can be tough, especially if you don’t know anyone and things are unfamiliar. Here’s how to meet new people and make new friends while you’re studying in New Zealand.
Where can I meet people?
If you’re living in a university residence or sharing a house with other students you won’t have to go very far to meet people who are probably in a similar situation to you. But you still need to make an effort and get out of your room!
Make sure you take every opportunity you can to attend social events at the start of the year, when everyone will be feeling uncertain. Yes, it can be a little hard at first but it gets easier the more you try.
In New Zealand, people who share a house or apartment together are called 'flatmates'. Each group of flatmates is different, but many people find they build lasting friendships with the people they live with, even when they no longer share a house together.
Being a good flatmate – being friendly, open-minded and considerate of others – is a great introduction to being a great friend.
Other suggestions for ways to meet new friends:
Introduce yourself to other people on your course – it’s likely that you’ll have more in common than just taking the same classes. At the very least, you’ll be able to ask them for help if you miss a lecture or want to chat about assignments or tests.
The place where you are studying will probably have lots of clubs and interest groups where you can meet people who are interested in the same things as you. If you’ve always wanted to join the drama club, find a chess partner, start a band or take part in many other interesting and exciting activities, now’s your chance!
Sports are big in New Zealand, whether you’re into watching or playing. Joining a sports team is a great way to meet people with similar goals and stay fit at the same time! Each city or town has local sports clubs and usually the place where you study will have sports teams too. Of course remember that not all New Zealanders play sport. It's ok to just watch!
Making a face-to-face connection is great, but online meet-ups and Facebook groups can be a good starting point if you’re looking for people with common interests. You can find groups to join at Meetup(external link that opens in a new tab) and Newcomers(external link that opens in a new tab). Use Facebook search to find out what groups there are in your new city.
Meeting people in the community
While it’s great to meet people from your home country, or other international students who understand what it’s like to be far from home, don’t forget about the locals. New Zealanders are famously friendly, but they can be a little bit shy too. Don't be afraid to take the first step and say hello!
When speaking English with locals and students, try to bring a 'just do it' attitude. New Zealanders will appreciate your friendliness and won't expect perfect English. Want to improve your informal English? Check out our list of slang. Give it a try, you're sure to make a New Zealander smile!
Tip: If you're shy about your accent or your English skills, you can use language apps to practice! Try out Duolingo(external link that opens in a new tab), Memrise(external link that opens in a new tab), or Busuu(external link that opens in a new tab).
Getting out into the community
One of the best ways to meet New Zealanders is to get involved in community events and activities.
Check out local community notice boards online or the clubs and sports teams on your campus. If you're not sure how to sign up for something ask your teacher, tutor or student advisor.
Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way to meet locals and make your CV (resume) look good. This could be for a few hours each week for six or twelve months. New Zealand and Australian employers like job applicants to have community experience.
Volunteer for something that interests you, for example, if you love animals you could help out at the SPCA(external link that opens in a new tab) (one of New Zealand's oldest charities, which helps protect animals) and meet other animal lovers.
If you're interested in volunteering, check out:
Tip: Getting a part-time job is a great way to meet people from different backgrounds and cultures. To find out more on how to get a job, check out 'Working on a student visa'.(external link that opens in a new tab)
Making friends and building good relationships takes work. It's natural to experience some difficulties trying to get to know people in a new culture. Stay positive and participate in activities where you're likely to meet people who share your interests and passions.