What is the cost of living in New Zealand??

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johno

There are a number of variables in your question! You say 'we' but don't say how many 'we' stands for. You also don't say what you intend to do here in New Zealand. Do you mean you intend to come here to live permanently? will you come temporarily for work and travel? will you rent a house; will you flat with others? Are you coming as students? What part of the country will you live in? etc etc

Without knowing this information, it's difficult to answer your question. However, in general, if you mean NZ$2,000 per month, then you will struggle to live, but may survive. NZ$2,000 per month is NZ$24,000 per year. The annual pretax income of the average New Zealand worker is NZ$42,600. So your NZ$2,000 per month is only just above half that average income; and, based on a 40 hour week, works out at roughly NZ$11.50 per hour which is just above the legal minimum wage of NZ$10.25 per hour

As you can imagine, it will be quite a struggle to have a reasonable quality of life for your NZ$2,000 per month.

There's a cost of living website below which will give you a bit more information about costs. As another indication, the government operates a 'working for families scheme' which provides extra benefits to pretty well any and all NZ families whose income is below NZ$45,000 per year!! That shows what the government thinks of your chances of having a decent living on NZ$24,000 per year!! Beware answers from people on this site who tell you NZ is a cheap place to live; they most probably dont actually live here.

TrOpPo

you make that sort of moola in NZ and you are considered royalty.

event_4_star

so is that 2000 US$$$?? thats round about 4000 NZ$$,thats actully pretty ok,i reakon you would survive here alright.

Tahini Raving Weirdo

Let me be very specific:

Renting a place you'd actually want to live in will be about 800 to 1000 a month (we're talking a nice place now - not exorbitant, but you'll look forward to coming home to it).
Insuring your car will be a bout 10 to 30 a month (yes, that low - I drive a Mercedes, and it's 12 for full coverage).
Health insurance is socialized, as is your pension, so no extra cost there.
Food for two people, if you cook normally, will be 500 a month.
Telephone about 100, power from 50 to 300, depending on how you heat.
Fuel for your car is about 1,50 per liter, and distances are short here.
So, yes, I'd say 2000 will do. It's not considered good money, but you can live like a human with it.

absolutely_fabulous_78

You can buy most things with a rugby ball, a couple of cricket bats and a few sheep.

leadbelly

the money is fine.

nativeAZ

Well there are no states in New Zealand, it is 2 islands with several cities all about the same in costs. The major cities where you will be most likely to find work (unless you can do something related to tourism or farming/ agriculture) are Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin. I would have no problem supporting myself & my daughter on NZ$2000/month. You can rent a fully furnished 'character' home in Christchurch for about NZ$140/week.

Are you from the States? The costs of food and other items in NZ are comparable to most average American cities (average cities, not LA or NY type cities). Are you referring to $2000 in NZ dollars? If you are bringing US dollars, the exchange is 1.5nzd:1usd so Usd2000 = Nzd3000. For travel, you can buy a car for NZ$500-1000 and no insurance is required, then camp or stay at hostels to save money.

hotteenick

I guess you could.... but it would be hard.

New Zealand is apparantly very overpriced.

king hazell

the currency in nz is actually a no cash barter system..the main trade is sheep,with one sheep worth on the barter system about as much as a standard beer or wine.the word barter actually comes from BAAA as in the sheep call..i have heard they will be getting cars soon over there too...the new bmw is 87000 sheep for the base model...

matt o

you need to get paid to live in that dump

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