New Zealand (NZ)
New Zealand is an English-speaking Pacific country known for high trust institutions, dramatic landscapes, outdoor life, and a pragmatic immigration system built around skills, family, study, and investment.
Capital: Wellington
Region: Oceania
Language: English
Currency: NZD (NZ$)
Cost of living: Expensive (index 75)
Emergency: 111
Premium
Cost of Living
Real prices in New Zealand — 2026 data in NZD.
75
Cost of living index
(100 = NYC reference)
Moderately priced. Similar to or slightly less than Western European averages.
Rent
Room in shared flat, Auckland/Wellington NZ$250-450/week
Room in shared flat, Christchurch/Dunedin/Hamilton NZ$200-350/week
One-bedroom apartment, Auckland central NZ$550-750/week
One-bedroom apartment, Wellington central NZ$500-700/week
Two-bedroom rental, Auckland suburbs NZ$650-900/week
Three-bedroom family house, Auckland/Wellington NZ$750-1,200+/week
Queenstown rental premium Often NZ$350-600/week for a room; family houses can be scarce and expensive
Utilities
Electricity, small apartment NZ$120-220/month
Electricity, older family house in winter NZ$250-500+/month
Fibre broadband NZ$70-110/month
Mobile plan, light use NZ$25-45/month
Mobile plan, heavy data NZ$60-100+/month
Contents insurance, renter NZ$300-1,000/year
Food & Groceries
Basic weekly supermarket shop, single person NZ$90-160/week
Weekly supermarket shop, couple NZ$170-300/week
Weekly supermarket shop, family with children NZ$280-500+/week
Milk, 2 litres NZ$4-6
Bread loaf NZ$2.50-5.50
Eggs, dozen NZ$8-13
Chicken breast, 1 kg NZ$14-22
Apples, 1 kg NZ$3-6 in season; more out of season
Dining Out
Flat white NZ$5-7
Cafe breakfast/brunch NZ$22-35
Casual lunch NZ$18-30
Fish and chips for one NZ$12-22
Restaurant main course NZ$30-50
Dinner for two, mid-range restaurant NZ$100-180 before drinks
Pint of beer NZ$10-16
Bottle of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc retail NZ$14-28
Transport
Auckland public transport monthly commuting NZ$160-280 depending zones and frequency
Wellington public transport monthly commuting NZ$150-260 depending zones
Petrol Often NZ$2.60-3.20/litre
Warrant of Fitness inspection NZ$60-100 typical
Car insurance, third-party NZ$300-800/year
Car insurance, comprehensive NZ$800-2,500+/year
Domestic flight Auckland-Wellington NZ$80-250 one way
Health & Insurance
GP visit, enrolled adult NZ$20-70 typical, practice dependent
GP visit, casual or ineligible patient NZ$80-150+
After-hours urgent care NZ$70-180+ depending eligibility and clinic
Private specialist appointment NZ$250-500+
Private psychologist/counsellor NZ$150-250+/session
Dental check-up and clean NZ$120-250+
Filling NZ$180-400+
Private health insurance adult NZ$1,000-4,000+/year
Childcare
Early childhood education after subsidies Free hours to NZ$300+/week depending age, hours, provider, and eligibility
School donation/activity costs NZ$0-500+/year depending school and activities
School uniform NZ$150-600+
Private school NZ$15,000-35,000+/year
International school or international student fees Often NZ$18,000-40,000+/year
University international tuition Often NZ$25,000-50,000+/year depending programme
Leisure
Cinema ticket (Auckland/Wellington) NZ$15-22
Gym membership (monthly, mid-range) NZ$50-100
DOC Great Walk hut (per person per night) NZ$45-75
Ski day pass (Coronet Peak / The Remarkables) NZ$160-235
All Blacks test match ticket (Eden Park) NZ$60-250
Wine tasting, Marlborough region NZ$20-50
Haircut (men's barber) NZ$25-50
Haircut (women's salon) NZ$60-150
Cost of Living
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