Life in New Zealand
One of the greatest attractions to New Zealand is the lifestyle that this country has to offer, not only do ‘Kiwis’ seem to enjoy a more relaxed living philosophy but compared to many international countries, the cost of living in New Zealand is lower than most developed countries, e.g., USA, Canada, Britain or Australia. In addition to your Tuition Fees you will need to plan carefully for sufficient money to cover your accommodation costs and other expenses such as food, telephone, transport, recreation, and personal needs. Accommodation costs and other expenses are estimated between NZ$250 and $400 per person per week. Costs will vary depending on your personal requirements. You should bring some New Zealand currency with you for use on arrival in Auckland.
New Zealand’s open education system has made it possible for students from all corners of the world to come to this pristine land and gain their education in a fun, friendly, and caring environment. New Zealand offers students so much more than just a high quality education, it is no wonder it has become the destination of choice for most international students.
From beautiful, unspoilt beaches to rainforests teaming with wildlife to the tips of the highest alpine mountains, New Zealand is a playground of life education just waiting to be experienced. Our clean and modern cities offer a lifestyle free from crowds and pollution. There are countless reasons to choose this country as your place to come for your tertiary education.
Welcome to Raffles.College of Design & Commerce
Raffles.College of Design & Commerce is one of New Zealand’s leading institutes of digital training and design conveniently located in the heart of Auckland city. In a short time Raffles.College of Design & Commerce has become very popular with students from all over the world for its ultramodern facility and proximity to many trendy cafés and restaurants in nearby Kingsland.
Because it is situated on one of Auckland’s main bus routes, access is easy with frequent bus services to many parts of Auckland, including Auckland’s vibrant CBD, just 5 minutes away.
Life in New Zealand
The world knows this land as clean, green New Zealand; or, as in the native Maori language, Aotearoa, meaning ‘land of the long white cloud’. Whichever way you say it, this is a wonderful place to come and be educated.
New Zealand is a land of spectacular contrasts from rugged and desolate coastline and high alpine passes to rustic gold mining towns and bustling modern cities.
Having opened its doors to the education of international students, New Zealand now boasts some of the finest institutions and the highest education standards found anywhere in the world. And protected by comprehensive Ministry of Education legislature, international students can expect a high level of education, freedom, and security in New Zealand.
Auckland is also the centre of shopping, catering to all tastes from those wanting to take home a piece of New Zealand’s culture to the finest haute-couture labels in the world.
The quality of restaurants and cafes is world class – a fusion of the finest cuisines from around the world – at very reasonable prices for the budget conscious student.
Attractions
- West Coast surf beaches;
- East Coast swimming beaches;
- Fishing, scuba diving, waterskiing, sailing;
- Ferry excursions to Hauraki Gulf islands;
- Native flora and fauna treks;
- Botanical gardens and parks;
- Museums, galleries, and performing arts;
- Cafes, restaurants and shopping;
- Golf, in- line skating, and bungy jumping.
Asian Student Information
Ways to meet friends
- Join social clubs.
- Go to church at weekends.
- Live in homestay to know NZ cultural and make kiwi friends.
Chinese NZ Settlers Services Trust
20 Putney Way, Friendship House
Tel: 09 262 3868
Email: info@cnsst.org.nz
www.chineseservice.org.nz
Chinese Women’s Association of NZ
5 Rielly Place, Mt Wellington, Auckland
Tel: 570 3218
Cost of Living
Accommodation
Although Raffles.College of Design & Commerce does not arrange accommodation, we can assist you in finding a professional accommodation agent who will provide you with details on all the options available to you and what they cost. Generally there are three main options:
There are three types of accommodation:
- Homestay
This is applicable primarily to students who are less than 18 years old and is requirement from the Ministry of Education on Pastoral Care for International Students. For those who are above 18 years old and require homestay, arrangements can be made as well. There are two types of homestays:- Kiwi Homestay
- Stay with Kiwi family.
- Breakfasts and dinners provided.
- Lunches arranged by the student himself/herself - as students are usually at the School.
- Weekend meals are optional for the student. - Asian Homestay
- Stay with Asian family (Chinese, Korean or Japanese family).
- Breakfasts and dinner provided.
- Lunches arranged by the student himself/herself - as student usually in school attending classes.
- Weekend meals are optional for student.
Minimum stay with these homestay families will be ONE Month (for those below 18 years old they will need to stay with a homestay throughout their studies.)
- Kiwi Homestay
- Hostel
For students who are 18 years old and above.
We can assist in arranging accommodation at hostels.
Meals are not provided as common cooking area/facilities are provided for students. Rates range from NZ$200 to NZ$350 per week depending on the number of students per room. - Flatting
For students who are 18 years old and above.
We can assist students in the arrangements by locating apartments and also help in selecting their flat mates. Cooking facilities are provided in the apartment. For those students who go flatting, the following information is important:-When selecting an accommodation, decide if a periodic tenancy (no time periods are specified) or a fixed term tenancy (agreed on a fixed time period for starting and ending the tenancy) is more appropriate. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.Students should inspect the premises inside and outside before signing the tenancy agreement. They should obtain a property inspection report and signed by both the student and the landlord before the start of the tenancy. This is included in Tenancy agreements.
Read through the Tenancy Agreement (an agreement between the landlord and the tenant - students) carefully before signing them. When agreed on the rent, the landlord will work out when and how the student will pay. The landlord must provide a receipt upon the rent being paid. If an automatic payment is opted for, the bank records act as receipts. A landlord cannot ask for more than two week's rent in advance. There will be bond that the student need to pay as a security to the landlord. At the end of the tenancy, the bond will be refunded if he/she have not caused any damage or loss (e.g. not paying your rent). If any damage or loss is caused, the bond will be used to cover the repairs. The student can be asked to pay up to the equivalent of four week's rent as bond. The bond is paid to the landlord who has to lodge the money with the Tenancy Services Centre within 23 working days. The student can pay the bond directly to the Tenancy Services Centre if he/she have his/her landlord's consent. If the student do pay his/her bond to the landlord; the landlord must provide a receipt. The Tenancy Services Centre will send the student and the landlord a receipt for the bond and will hold the monies until the end of the tenancy. Student can get the bond back by filling a form from Tenancy Services after you have moving out.
For more information regarding Tenancy, please use one of the following medium:- Logon to www.minhousing.govt.nz/tenancy/info.html
- Telephone 0800 83 62 62 (Tenancy Advice and Information)
(+64 4 238 4695 - Call from outside New Zealand) - Telephone 0800 737 66 66 (Bond Enquiries)
(+64 4 238 4693 - Call from outside New Zealand)
Cost of living & food
The cost of living in New Zealand is similar to countries like Singapore and Australia. A meal usually costs NZ$7 to NZ$25 (depending whether in a food court or a restaurant). The portion of food is substantial for the amount paid. Along Queen Street, there are ample food courts for the convenience of the students - Asian (Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Indian, etc.), Western Middle East (Kebabs) and fast food chains (McDonalds, Wendy's, Burger King, etc.) There's also lots of shopping arcades around Auckland City - usually they open from Mondays to Saturdays (It's common for shops to also be open on Sundays now). Operating hours are usually from 9am to 5pm (Mondays through Thursdays, Fridays from 9am to 7.30pm, Saturdays from 9am or 10am to 5pm and Sundays from 10am to 1pm). Refer to the individual stores for their respective business hours.Small grocery shops are common and are typically operated by Korean or Chinese people. There are all kinds of foodstuff and cooking ingredients that a student can get. Grocery shops in the vicinity of the School that are managed by Chinese are Tofu Shop, Taiping and Silver Bell. There are also plenty of large supermarkets, such as Foodtown, Woolworths, Countdown, New World, Pak 'N' Save. Some of the Supermarkets operate till midnight, seven days a week.
Money
The local currency in the New Zealand Dollar (NZ$), with coins with values of 10, 20 and 50 cents, $1 and $2, and notes with values of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.
There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that can be brought in or taken out of New Zealand. However, anyone who carries more than NZ$10,000 in cash in or out of New Zealand must complete a Border Cash Report. The current value of about 30 currencies in NZ$ can be calculated at http://www.bnz.co.nz/.
Foreign currency can easily be exchanged at Auckland International Airport, any bank, or a foreign exchange bureau in central Auckland. Automatic teller Machines (ATMs) are widely available at banks and in main streets and malls. Almost all shops accept ATM cards for payment ("EFTPOS") along with major credit cards. For international cards, a four-digit PIN encoded is needed – please check with the appropriate bank.
Transportation
There are many means of transportations available in Auckland. The most common are buses and taxis. Coaches are operated Stagecoach and Link. Fares range from 50 cents to $3.50 depending on distance. "Buzz-a-Bus" provides free timetable information (Phone: 366 6400). Cost for a bus ride depends on distance travelled. Frequency of buses depends on area, time of day and time of week.
Driving in New Zealand
New Zealand practices left lane driving. For those students who intend to drive in New Zealand, they need to have a non-probationary licence in their country of residence for a minimum of three years. The students will only be able to drive those types of vehicles for which were licensed in their country of origin.For those students who hold a valid overseas driver licence with photo on it, the students can use the licence for up to a year without having to get an international driving licence. For students who are going to be driving in New Zealand for longer than one year, the students must upgrade to a full New Zealand driver licence. New Zealand law requires that you carry your photographic driver licence or permit with you whenever you are driving. If your vehicle is stopped and you cannot produce your licence, you will be prosecuted and possibly have your vehicle impounded.
Students should also ensure that they have adequate insurance to cover any damage resulting form an accident to your own or other vehicles. Insurance is not legally required in New Zealand; however, it is recommended that at a minimum, the students should have a Third Party Insurance, covering damage the students might cause to other vehicles or property. Students should not travel in a vehicle being driven by someone who they know does not have a valid licence and adequate insurance cover. There are strict laws that relate to the operation of a motor vehicle. The permitted blood alcohol level for driving if the students are under 20 years is very low and it only takes a small amount of alcohol to be illegally driving. New Zealand considers drink driving a serious offense.
For more information regarding driving law and road safety in New Zealand, please logon to Land Transport Safety Authority website at www.ltsa.govt.nz and the address and telephone number is:
Land Transport Safety Authority
Head Office,
PO Box 2840,
Wellington, New Zealand
Freephone: 0800-699-000
Email: info@ltsa.govt.nz
Important Information
You can write to the IEAA at:
The International Education Appeal Authority
C/- Ministry of Education
Private Bag 47 911
Ponsonby
AUCKLAND
New Zealand
Phone: 09 374 5481
Fax: 09 374 5403
Email - info.ieaa@minedu.govt.nz
Or
The International Education Appeal Authority
PO Box 12083
Wellington
Phone: 64 4 918 8300
Fax: 64 4 918 8303
Immigration
Full details of visa and permit requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying, and reporting requirements are available through the New Zealand Immigration Service, and can be viewed on their website.
Visit the Immigration New Zealand website
Health Services
Most international students are not entitled to publicly funded health services while in New Zealand. If you receive medical treatment during your visit, you may be liable for the full costs of that treatment. Full details on entitlements to publicly funded health services are available through the Ministry of Health, and can be viewed on their website.
Visit the Ministry of Health New Zealand website
Accident Insurance
The Accident Compensation Corporation provides accident insurance for all New Zealand citizens, residents, and temporary visitors to New Zealand, but you may still be liable for all other medical and related costs. Further information can be viewed on the
ACC website at:
Visit the ACC website
Medical and Travel Insurance
International students must have appropriate and current medical and travel insurance while studying in New Zealand.
Student Privacy
Any personal information provided to Raffles.College of Design & Commerce will be stored confidentially and protected under the terms of the New Zealand Privacy Act 1993. Student information may be used from time to time for research purposes related to academic study. All students have the right to see and, if necessary, correct the information they have provided.
