Money for New Zealand

watna

My boyfriend is from New Zealand. He's been in Ireland for a year. We're planning to go to NZ next November. The plan is we'll stay for three months.. travel around and he can catch up with friends and family. He said he'll work for a month or two because his old job will have him back anytime.

If I like it there, we'll stay on and I'll get a job.. if not he'll come back to Dublin with me.

Anyway, I'm starting to save now so I'll have enough money to enjoy the three months. He says that things are much cheaper there and I'll get double the value for money. I just wanted advice from people who have been there. Is this true? My bf is annoyingly good with money so I don't entirely trust his opinion! How much do you think I'll need? Does anyone have any advice for saving money?

spurious

Yes, things work out quite cheap in NZ, particularly for anyone used to the prices we pay here.

There is a 2005 price guide here for some supermarket items.
http://www.emigratenz.org/Supermarket.html
Allow that the NZ dollar is roughly equivalent to 51c.

Rabies

I living here a few weeks now. Things are generaly a bit cheaper. I'm staying two streets away from the city centre in a 2 bed apartment, sharing with another person here on a working visa. Our rent is NZ$1200 per month for the apartment. That is E620, there is no way you would get rent like that in Dublin.

What type of work do you think you will be going for. Regular causal work is lower paid than in Ireland. I have seen rates from NZ$10-Nz$14. Keep in mind that NZ$10 is only E5.10 :eek:

watna

I'm looking to not work for the first three months. My bf is talking about travelling around for a few weeks and than hanging out in Wellington for a few weeks.

I'm wondering how much money I'll need to be comfortable and not limit what we can do. I'm not worried when I start working, the wages will fit in with the cost of living, I'm sure.

Rabies

It takes at least two weeks to travel the north island. You could easily spend more time.
What way do you plan on travelling? Regular public bus, car or backpacker bus?

I still haven't hit the south island, will do that in the new year.

There is loads to do in NZ. Everything from cave diving, scuba diving, volcano tours, hiking, parachute jumping, swimming with dolphins and even diving for the Rainbow Warrior.

If you plan on doing big activites a few times each week then it will become expensive. Some of the bigger activities and boat trips can take up most of your day, that is why they are fairly expensive if you are on a budget.

Here are some of the prices I have seen

Skydiving: NZ$180-$260 for a tandem

Cave exploring: NZ$70-$350 (some include water rafting and absailing)

Diving: NZ$400 (i think for a 4 days scuba course and dive for rainbow warrior)

Car hire: NZ$700 for 7 days including full insurance with a medium sized car (a Mitzubishi Lancer in my case)

Hostels: NZ$69 per night for a double room or NZ$22-$25 for a dorm.

Hotels: I only stayed in one hotel and that was in Napier, cost NZ$140/night

Museums: about NZ$10-15 or a donation depending on the museum

Food: Around NZ$14-$18 seems to be the going rate for nice lunch in a cafe.


If you plan on using a backpacking bus to get around use Stray or Kiwi Experience.
I didn't use them, but I have been talking to loads people that did. Most seem to really enjoy the experience with a bus loads of similar people.

Anymore questions just ask.

peeps78

things are definatly cheaper if your converting euros to NZ dollars, if your working there your wages dont go as far.
heres a good site to check the exchange rate
http://www.xe.com/ucc
i