Preparing to travel

International students smiling at a camera

You're about to start your New Zealand adventure! To make sure you're prepared, here are some travel tips for moving to New Zealand such as suggestions for what you should bring.

Important documents

There are some documents you'll need to organise before you travel to New Zealand and start your study life here. These include:

your passport with a valid student visa (external link that opens in a new tab) (if your short course does not require you to have a student visa, you may need to get an NZeTA(external link that opens in a new tab)).
transit visas (if you're travelling through other countries before New Zealand, check with your embassy or high commission if you need them).
your birth certificate.
emergency details (the contact details for your parents, bank and embassy or consulate).
medical documents.
a copy of your Offer of Place letter and contact details of where you'll be studying.

Tip: It's a good idea to take photocopies, digital scans or photos of important documents like your birth certificate and passport, just in case you lose them! Keep photos on your phone and also save them to a Dropbox(external link that opens in a new tab) or iCloud(external link that opens in a new tab) account so you know exactly where they are.

If you're planning on:

Working in New Zealand, remember to organise at least two referees from previous employers if you've worked before. If you haven't worked before, you could organise at least one reference from someone who can talk about your good character and work ethic, like a school teacher or university lecturer. These letters can help you get a job here.
Driving in New Zealand, you'll need an international driver's licence or permit.

Money

You should bring some New Zealand money with you when you arrive. At least $500NZD is recommended to cover any expenses when you get here, like taxis, food or a hotel on your first night. Don't bring it all in cash – prepaid travel money cards like Cash Passport(external link that opens in a new tab) and credit cards are the safest way to bring money to New Zealand.

The currency used in New Zealand is the New Zealand dollar and is made up of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 notes, and 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2 coins. Our currency shows important people in New Zealand's history.

It's important to note that many New Zealanders hardly carry cash at all and use their bank cards (known as EFTPOS or debit cards) to pay for everything (even a cup of coffee!). Find out more about money culture and managing your money in New Zealand.

Tip: Let your bank know your travel plans before you leave to avoid problems using your credit cards in New Zealand.

Currency exchange

If you don't have time to organise money before you leave, you can exchange foreign currency at any New Zealand bank, or at currency exchange services at the airport (like Travelex(external link that opens in a new tab)). Travelex and banks aren't open 24 hours, but you can always get New Zealand dollars at an automatic bank machine (ATM) if you need to. Find out more about currency and exchange rates.

Tip: Foreign exchange rates are higher when you use your overseas bank card at a New Zealand ATM. You'll get a better deal at a currency exchange service.

Currency values change from minute to minute, so keep an eye on the market for the best rate. Use Xe(external link that opens in a new tab) to find out roughly how much you'll get.

Opening a bank account

You can open a bank account online and put money in it before you get here. Then, once you arrive in New Zealand, you'll need to visit your local bank branch to finish opening your account. You may need to contact the bank and make an appointment before you visit.

You can open an account online at any of these New Zealand banks:

Many New Zealanders do most of their banking online or use an app on their phone. All New Zealand banks offer online banking. Get more information about banking in New Zealand.

Tip: Some banks have special deals for students such as cheaper fees and lower interest rates. Look at a few before you decide! Your university or polytechnic may have banks on campus.

Mobile phones

Most major brands of mobile phones will work in New Zealand, but you may need to purchase a SIM card.

There are a few mobile phone networks in New Zealand like 2Degrees(external link that opens in a new tab), Spark(external link that opens in a new tab) and One NZ(external link that opens in a new tab). You can buy their SIM cards at the airport or at their shops in all major New Zealand cities.

Tip: You can buy SIM cards at large grocery stores near your new home like Countdown (external link that opens in a new tab)and New World(external link that opens in a new tab). You can find them at the check-out, near the gum and chocolate!

Clothing

You need to be prepared for all kinds of weather in New Zealand – sometimes we have four seasons in one day! Some students say they wished they'd brought more warm clothes. So, aside from your favourite summer clothes, don't forget items like: sweaters, a warm coat (like a puffer jacket), a woollen hat, gloves and scarves, a raincoat, boots or waterproof shoes.

You might find clothes in New Zealand more expensive than you expect. You can save money by bringing these items with you! Check out our information about what things cost to find out how much things cost in New Zealand.

What things cost

Electrical items

There are two things to think about if you want to use or charge your electrical items (such as a hairdryer, laptop or mobile phone) in a different country – the shape of the plug and the voltage.

Power plugs and sockets

Different countries have different plug shapes. The power plugs and sockets in New Zealand are Type I (with three flat pins). These are also used in Australia, China, the South Pacific and Argentina. If your country has a different plug shape you will need a travel adaptor to make your plugs fit in to the New Zealand sockets.

Voltage

The New Zealand power system is 240 volts, or 50 hertz.

You can use your electric appliances in New Zealand if the standard voltage in your country is in between 220–240 volts (as is in the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa).

If the standard voltage in your country is in the range of 100 –127 volts (as in U.S.A, Canada and most South American countries), you will need to check if your electrical items are 'dual voltage' (meaning they will work at both the 220-240 volts range and the 100-127 volts range). Or you can use a device called a voltage converter to change (convert) the power into the right voltage to use your electrical items in New Zealand.

If you can't find a travel adaptor or voltage converter at home, you can buy them at the airport when you arrive or at luggage or electronic shops in major cities in New Zealand.