Moving to New Zealand from South Africa: Go-to Guide!
Discover how to move to New Zealand from South Africa, including the different visa types, cost of living, how to find jobs, open a bank account, and more.
Your all-in-one guide to cost of living in New Zealand for South Africans
When you think of New Zealand the first picture that comes to mind is either the glorious mountain ranges, forests, or the countless sheep. But the adventure capital of the world has a lot more to offer than just hiking and backpacking. New Zealand has emerged as a popular choice for South Africans due to its immigration policy, job opportunities and reputation of being a safe and welcoming society.
While a move to a new country sounds exciting there are a lot of factors South Africans need to consider the first being – how is money being managed? Well fortunately for you, Wise has you covered.
Wise is a bank alternative for international money transfers that uses the mid-market exchange rate¹⁴. In this article we breakdown the cost of living in New Zealand to help you prepare for a move to ‘Middle Earth’.
How expensive is New Zealand in comparison to South Africa
New Zealand has been increasingly becoming a popular destination for immigrants with around 225,0001 people moving there last year. The country offers a healthy lifestyle, has a rich Maori culture and is one of the best countries in the world for its quality of life. New Zealand has a growing economy and is viewed as a favourable destination due to the multitude of job opportunities. When comparing the cost of living in New Zealand vs South Africa the former is approximately 93%2 costlier.
The currency in New Zealand
The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) is the official currency of the country. It is also commonly called kiwi, a name given after the national bird, which appears in the 1 dollar coins. This online currency converter can help you find the exact value of your ZAR in comparison with the New Zealand Dollar.
*All prices mentioned with the ‘$’ sign in the article refer to the New Zealand dollar unless mentioned otherwise.
Sending money from New Zealand to South Africa can be tricky business with varying exchange rates between banks and other forex agencies. So how do you ensure you get the best possible exchange rate?
Send money from New Zealand to South Africa using the mid-market exchange rate
As a bank alternative, Wise can help South African expats living in New Zealand save money¹⁴ when making international payments to South Africa.
The mid-market exchange rate is the rate that banks use to transfer money between them. Find out what you would pay for an international money transfer with Wise:
While some New Zealand banks support international payments, they usually add a markup on top of the mid-market exchange rate for this transaction that customers end up paying.
Wise uses the mid-market rate for international payments and only applies a small transparent fee to make an international payment¹⁴.
This means that with Wise, South African expats could save money¹⁴ when making overseas transactions to South Africa from New Zealand.
Cost of living in New Zealand vs. South Africa
The cost of living in New Zealand, like many other countries of the world, has dramatically increased in the past few years. Rents in New Zealand are 145% higher than South Africa2. The largest city Auckland is ranked 111th on most expensive cities across the globe3. Let’s take a look at how much things like rent, transport, groceries would cost you in major cities like Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.
Rental costs in New Zealand
Rents in New Zealand vary according to region and are relatively higher in big cities. Auckland, the country’s biggest city - home to almost 1.5 million - has a cost of living that is higher than national average4. However, if you are looking for a more affordable experience living in cities like Hamilton or New Plymouth is a better idea.
The tables below breakdown rents for a single person and a family in the city centre and outside it.
Average monthly rent in Auckland
| Rental for | Average monthly rent in Auckland5 |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | $2,219.60 (R24,412.46) |
| 1-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | $2,085.91 (R22,941.99) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | $4,111.52 (R45,220.76) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | $3,317.93 (R36,492.45) |
Average monthly rent in Wellington
| Rental for | Average monthly rent in Wellington6 |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | $2,528.23 (R27,806.86) |
| 1-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | $2,280.29 (R25,079.96) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | $4,287.95 (R47,161.31) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | $3,553.84 (R39,087.15) |
Average monthly rent in Christchurch
| Rental for | Average monthly rent in Christchurch7 |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | $1,910.44 (R21,012.14) |
| 1-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | $1,391.25 (R15,301.75) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | $3,100.00 (R34,095.54) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | $2,375.00 (R26,121.58) |
Cost of groceries in New Zealand
New Zealand has several chains of grocery stores where South Africans can shop for a variety of everyday items. These include New World, Countdown, ParkNSave, etc. Listed below are the average prices of everyday items in different cities.
Average grocery costs in Auckland
| Basic groceries | Average cost in Auckland5 |
|---|---|
| Bread | $3.64 (R40.02) |
| Milk | $3.29 (R36.23) |
| Eggs | $11.10 (R122.08) |
| Cheese | $15.24 (R167.63) |
| Chicken fillets (1kg) | $17.42 (R191.58) |
| Bottle of wine (mid-range) | $6.28 (R69.11) |
Average grocery costs in Wellington
| Basic groceries | Average cost in Wellington6 |
|---|---|
| Bread | $3.40 (R37.41) |
| Milk | $3.31 (R36.43) |
| Eggs | $9.59 (R105.51) |
| Cheese | $16.68 (R183.45) |
| Chicken fillets (1kg) | $18.78 (R206.51) |
| Bottle of wine (mid-range) | $20.00 (R219.97) |
Average grocery costs in Christchurch
| Basic groceries | Average cost in Christchurch7 |
|---|---|
| Bread | $3.24 (R35.61) |
| Milk | $3.07 (R33.80 R) |
| Eggs | $9.35 (R102.83) |
| Cheese | $14.79 (R162.68) |
| Chicken fillets (1kg) | $14.58 (R160.32) |
| Bottle of wine (mid-range) | $15.00 (R164.98) |
Transport costs in New Zealand
New Zealand offers several choices for travelling including buses, cabs, personal cars, and cycles. Using public transport is recommended for daily commute due to its affordability and convenience. But most Kiwis prefer using their own cars outside cities to enjoy the scenic views on road trips.
| Ticket type | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1-way ticket in Auckland5 | $4.00 (R43.99) |
| Monthly transport pass in Auckland5 | $215.00 (R2,364.69) |
| 1-way ticket in Wellington6 | $4.25 (R46.74) |
| Monthly transport pass in Wellington6 | $152.30 (R1,675.08) |
| 1-way ticket in Christchurch7 | $2.80 (R30.80) |
| Monthly transport pass in Christchurch7 | $79.00 (R868.89) |
Eating out in New Zealand
Average meal costs in Auckland
| Category | Auckland5 |
|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | $25.00 (R274.96) |
| Meal for 2 people, mid-range Restaurant, three-course | $120.00 (R1,319.83) |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or equivalent combo meal) | $16.00 (R175.98) |
| Cappuccino (regular) | $6.09 (R66.95) |
Average meal costs in Wellington
| Category | Wellington6 |
|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | $25.00 (R274.96) |
| Meal for 2 people, mid-range Restaurant, three-course | $137.00 (R1,506.80) |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or equivalent combo meal) | $15.00 (R164.98) |
| Cappuccino (regular) | $5.51 (R60.60) |
Average meal costs in Christchurch
| Category | Christchurch7 |
|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | $22.00 (R241.97) |
| Meal for 2 people, mid-range Restaurant, three-course | $120.00 (R1,319.83) |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or equivalent combo meal) | $15.00 (R164.98) |
| Cappuccino (regular) | $5.43 (R59.73) |
Study costs in New Zealand
With almost 100,000 international students every year it comes as no surprise that New Zealand is a very popular choice of study for many across the globe8. Eight universities from the country feature in the QS World University Rankings for 2023. The University of Auckland, University of Otago, Lincoln University, and Massey University are the most sought after in the country.
Undergraduate courses have a duration of 3 years and the fees for these are approximately $20,500 - $25,000 annually9. Agriculture, business, medicine, engineering, and design are popular courses.
Postgraduate tuition is $19,000 - $29,000 annually on average and the course duration is typically 2-years9. Fees for pursuing PhDs in the country is $6,500 - $9,000 annually which is the same as domestic students due to government policy, which significantly reduces costs9.
What is the average salary in New Zealand?
New Zealand is a great place to be for individuals looking to grow their careers. Its growing economy and exciting job opportunities could help take your career to the next level. We’ve put together a list of some common professions and their pay in major cities to help you understand how much you could make if you move there:
Average salary in Auckland
| Designation | Average salary in Auckland10 |
|---|---|
| Attorney | $58,478 |
| Physician | $64,733 |
| Project Manager | $48,460 |
| UX Designer | $46,970 |
| Accountant | $40,712 |
| Data Analyst | $46,102 |
| Content Marketer | $47,277 |
| Nurse | $42,086 |
| Teacher | $39,474 |
*Salaries in USD$
Average salary in Wellington
| Designation | Average salary in Wellington11 |
|---|---|
| Attorney | $72,020 |
| Physician | $64,117 |
| Project Manager | $56,537 |
| UX Designer | $56,687 |
| Accountant | $51,204 |
| Data Analyst | $48,503 |
| Content Marketer[HS5] | $50,031 |
| Nurse | $36,475 |
| Teacher | $38,722 |
*Salaries in USD$
Average salary in Christchurch
| Designation | Average salary in Christchurch12 |
|---|---|
| Attorney | $55,400 |
| Physician | $49,937 |
| Project Manager | $50,984 |
| UX Designer | $49,669 |
| Accountant | $36,934 |
| Data Analyst | $46,102 |
| Content Marketer[HS5] | $34,425 |
| Nurse | $33,318 |
| Teacher | $30,075 |
*Salaries in USD$
What about healthcare costs in New Zealand?
New Zealand’s healthcare system is a universal public system. As one of the top 20 healthcare systems in the world, it is at par with the USA and UK. It is free or low-cost for citizens and permanent residents. Hospital and specialist care costs are covered if the patient is referred by a general practitioner (GP). Free medical services can include diagnostic tests, immunizations, cancer treatment, and appointments, and, for children, dental care, and prescription medication.
| Healthcare service | Average cost to you13 |
|---|---|
| GP visit during standard clinic hours | $19 - $55 |
| GP visit after hours | >$75 |
| Prescription | $5 |
If you are in New Zealand on a working holiday visa or a student visa, you will need to buy private health insurance.
While New Zealand's cost of living surpasses that of South Africa, the stunning landscapes, a welcoming society, and burgeoning job opportunities make it the place to be. With Wise simplifying international money transfers¹⁷, there’s never been a better time to take the leap! Learn more about our offerings here.
Sources:
- AP News: Insights into New Zealand's immigration
- Numbeo: Compare the cost of living between South Africa and New Zealand.
- Mercer: Global insights into the cost of living.
- International Citizens: Discover why New Zealand is a top living destination.
- Numbeo - Auckland
- Numbeo - Wellington
- Numbeo - Christchurch
- Prospects: Explore postgraduate study opportunities in New Zealand.
- IDP: Comprehensive information on the cost of study in New Zealand.
- Teleport - Auckland
- Teleport - Wellington
- Teleport - Christchurch
- International Insurance: Understand New Zealand's healthcare system.
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This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
