The choice is yours!

But choose wisely because part of having a great experience here is being happy in your home life too. Auckland is a big city with lots of different living options; inner-city excitement or tranquil bush settings; apartment-living or a shared flat.

Many of our students will rent their accommodation while they are studying with us. The Tenancy Services website and Education New Zealand website are great sources of information about renting in New Zealand.

The area you choose to live in will affect your rent cost and lifestyle. Be sure to consider factors such as commuting, public transport and access to OPAIC. Find information on Auckland suburbs at Hometopia.

As well as location, there are different types of accommodation for you to think about. Look at all the options available and choose what best suits your personal needs and budget. Here are some of the most popular options:

Apartments

There are many popular apartments for international students in the city centre that are suitable for both short and long-term accommodation including Unilodge, Empire Apartments, Princeton Apartments, and Columbia Apartments. Impression Real Estate, just up the road from campus, is another good place to visit when looking for an apartment to rent.

Shared living (we call this “flatting”)

Living with other students or friends is cost-effective as you share costs such as rent, utilities and sometimes even the food bill if you do shared meals. Check out our student Facebook group, called OPAIC Student Community. Lots of students post here looking for roommates or accommodation. You can also search for rentals on the TradeMe website. Visit the Tenancy Services website to learn about the rights and responsibilities of renters in New Zealand.

Homestay Accommodation

Homestays are a popular form of accommodation for international students and visitors, especially for those who want to improve their English and experience New Zealand culture. It is a great way to settle in a new country and get to know its surroundings. Although OPAIC does not offer homestay accommodation, we recommend Host Families NZ and Auckland Homestay Services.

Host Families NZ matches students and visitors with their ideal host family by providing each party with a detailed profile. You can feel safe and secure knowing that all host families are interviewed, and police screened. Whether you’re looking for short-term or long-term stays, their dedicated and experienced team match you with your ideal host. The placement fee is $300 and weekly accommodation is $330. Additional fees may be charged if you have special food requirements. You can expect a safe and welcoming family environment, a private bedroom, laundry availability, breakfast and dinner every day, lunches over the weekends, internet, electricity and water, and 24-hour support in case of an emergency. For more information, please email admin@hostfamilies.co.nz or call them on 021 026 91882. You can also visit their website here.

Auckland Homestay Services arrange for students to stay in the welcoming home of an approved family in Auckland. Your stay includes all meals and a private, furnished bedroom. The cost is $350 per week for two meals Monday-Friday and three meals Saturday and Sunday. There is also a $300 placement fee. Please email homestay91ct@gmail.com for more information.

Be sure to do your research before committing to something permanent. If you're unsure, it's a good idea to book some short-term accommodation for your arrival to give you some time to get a feel for the city, and the people you meet. Then you can confidently commit to a longer-term lease.

Utilities

Depending on the type of accommodation you choose, you may need to pay for utilities. These are normally on a monthly basis and include power, internet and water.  Always check if these are included in your accommodation cost so can plan for these additional costs.  Mobile phone plans range from $20-$80 per month. Some of the main mobile providers are Spark, Vodafone, 2degrees and Skinny.

Plan your finances

Think carefully about the amount of money you will need while you are studying. Your daily cost of living is in addition to our tuition fees. Here is a guide to what you’ll need for living expenses in Auckland.

ACCOMMODATION
$200 – $500 per week

FOOD
$80 – $120 per week

BOOKS AND MATERIALS
$500 – $2,000 per year

TRANSPORT
$100 – $500 per year

ENTERTAINMENT
$500 – $2,000 per year

Amounts shown are in New Zealand dollars

Working in New Zealand

You may want to supplement your living costs by getting a part-time job. Providing you have the right visa to allow this, there are casual job opportunities for students so you can earn while studying. The minimum wage is NZD $23.15 per hour.

Work should only be undertaken after you have signed a formal contract. All wages should be taxed and paid into a bank account. Go here to learn more about the rights and responsibilities of workers in New Zealand.