Auckland, or Tāmaki Makaurau - means ‘the place desired by many’ in Māori, is the largest city of New Zealand. Used to be the capital of New Zealand for 25 years, also known as ‘The City of Sail’, Auckland is the country’s economic powerhouse. This city is a beautiful place to live and study, with breathtaking landscape and excellent quality of life, and is culturally diverse.
However, living in Auckland may feel a bit overwhelmingly costly as a student if you’re new and still haven’t figured it out about everything. This guide is here to help you live well on a student budget—so you can focus on settling in, enjoying the city, and making the most of your study journey.
Shared Living
First thing first when arriving here in Auckland is deciding where to stay.
Auckland offers a wide range of housing choices to match different lifestyles, from inner-city apartments to family-style homes with gardens. While accommodation can be pricey, what you pay often comes down to the suburb you choose.
Flatting or sharing a house or apartment is often a smart option—it’s usually more affordable than living on your own, with the average of $220 - $280/week, and it’s a great way to meet people and build a social circle.
As you decide where to live, don’t for get to keep in mind about other convenience such as: how close you’ll be to public transport, your AUT campus, supermarkets, cafés, and even the beach.
The Grocery Hack
Groceries shopping can feel a lot more breathable if you have the right strategy, for example: choosing where to shop.
Shop at Pak’nSave or local markets like Avondale for 30% cheaper produce than CBD minis. Woolworth is available at many locations, with frequent special offers, can be good if you buy what’s on special. Weekend produce markets are also a great option when shopping for fruits or vegetables near closing time.
Free Fun
Despite the expensive life, there are still lots of options for students to stay active and enjoy life, totally cost-free in Auckland. One of the best $0 weekend option is a hike up Mt Eden or a walk through the Auckland Domain. Additionally, beaches, museums on free days, campus events, libraries, community markets are also great things to do for free in Auckland.
The ‘Student ID’ Power
Facilities and services around Auckland often offer great deal for students. You can get discount on daily expenses such as food and drinks, transportation through AT HOP, gym subscriptions and phone plan. You can even get discount from services such as cinema and other entertainment like museums, attractions, comedy shows, and events. So don’t forget to make use of your ‘almighty’ student ID.
