Working in Auckland New Zealand
Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city. Located on the North Island, Auckland offers a diversity of culture and experiences and is uniquely positioned as a large, metropolitan community situated a short distance from both beautiful beaches and majestic, inland country. Consistently ranked within the top 5 most liveable cities in the world, Auckland offers everything this is desirable for anyone who wants to live in an urban environment.
Auckland is the largest Polynesian city in the world, ensuring that the lifestyle is vibrant and dynamic with an energetic nightlife, excellent range of cafes and shops and wide-array of traditional cultural experiences. Of course, given its position on a narrow piece of land between the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Auckland is the only city in the world to have two harbours located on two different, major bodies of water. This prime, waterfront location brings with it harbour-side glamour to rival that found in any of the highly coveted Mediterranean locations – at a fraction of the price.
- Airport
- Railway station
- Transportation
- Cost of Living
- Accommodation
- Shopping
- Emergency
- Insurance and Healthcare
Location
Tourism Video
Airport
Auckland Airport
Auckland Airport is the largest on the islands and is considered to be the gateway to New Zealand. While there are direct, overseas flights to other New Zealand cities, most international travellers will first arrive in Auckland before moving on to other destinations.
Transport between the Auckland Airport and the city is typically via bus, shuttle or taxi, although you can also rent and collect a car from any of the major agencies while at the airport. A ride on Airbus Express direct to the CBD should run about NZ$16 one-way. A taxi or shuttle ride is more likely to run in the range of NZ$45 to NZ$75 making the bus the most economical option.
Railway station
There are train services from the city’s Britomart Transport Centre to a number of suburban locations. In addition the City Rail Link project is now underway with a view to better connecting Auckland’s existing railway stations via an underground system.
New Zealand also has the Overlander rail service from Auckland in the north to Wellington on the southern tip of the North Island.
Transportation
Getting around Auckland is pretty easy and not all that expensive. There are a range of options for you to consider – depending on what you would like to do and how much flexibility you require. These options include The Auckland Explorer Bus, a sightseeing coach – you can book a day’s ticket and then get on and off at a range of locations; city bus services including City Circuit buses and LINK buses; ferry services and water taxis which take you to a range of ocean-side locations; suburban rail services as well as rental cars, SUVs and Campervans.
Cost of Living
Compared with other cities around the world, Auckland is relatively expensive although the quality of life is almost second to none. It is possible to spend wisely and many costs will be quite reasonable.
The average, after-tax monthly salary is $3,695.00.
According to the online database, Numbeo (www.numbeo.com) prices for typical items are as follows:
| Food | |
| Cheap meal (inexpensive restaurant) | NZ$15.00 |
| Three-course meal for two at mid-range restaurant | NZ$80.00 |
| Domestic beer (500mL) | NZ$7.74 |
| Coke (330mL) | NZ$3.00 |
| Milk (1 litre) | NZ$2.50 |
| Loaf of bread | NZ$3.00 |
| Eggs | NZ$4.00 |
| Transport | |
| One way ticket (local transport) | NZ$4.25 |
| Monthly pass | NZ$127.50 |
| Petrol (1 litre) | NZ$2.19 |
| Rent (monthly) | |
| One bedroom apartment (central area) | NZ$1,433.00 |
| Three bedroom apartment (central area) | NZ$3,000.00 |
| Accommodation | |
| Hostel bed (one night) | NZ$37.50 |
| Five star hotel room (one night) | NZ$550.00 |
Workingholidaymaker.com TIP!
Moneyconverter.com is an excellent resource for converting any local currency to that of your home country. This is a great tool for budgeting and stretching your “hard-earned” cash.
Accommodation
Auckland offers a range of accommodation options. From backpackers in funky locations to five-star hotels overlooking the harbours, you are sure to find a place to stay that suits your style and your budget.
Where you ultimately decide to stay depends in large part on whether you are looking to set-up in one place for the long-term or prefer to move around from place-to-place during your time in New Zealand.
In Auckland, some accommodation options include:
Budget
Nomads Auckland
City Garden Lodge
The Attic Backpackers
Mid-range
Best Western President Hotel Auckland
Park Regis Auckland
Ibis Auckland Ellerslie
High-end
Hilton Auckland
Langham Hotel Auckland
Pullman Auckland
Shopping
Auckland offers great variety for both the casual and the committed shopper. There are some terrific shopping precincts including Britomart, Ponsonby, Parnell and Newmarket. In these areas your options range from designer boutiques and trendy cafes through to galleries, designer home ware stores, jewellers, artists and local crafts people.
If shopping malls are more your style, then there are a number of Westfield malls, a Dressmat that features over 100 retailers and the Botany Town Centre with over 150 stores. Finally, no shopping trip in Auckland is complete with a trip one of the many local markets. Auckland markets showcase local food, flora, produce, music, arts and crafts. At the very least you should check out Browns Bay Sunday Market, Auckland Indoor Markets, Victoria Park Market and Parnell Farmers’ Market.
Emergency
Emergency telephone numbers
Police, Fire and Ambulance 111
Insurance and Healthcare
A number of countries, including Australia, have signed reciprocal health care agreements with New Zealand. The agreement provides all residents of Australia who are temporarily in New Zealand with immediate necessary hospital and pharmacy services. However, charges do often apply for visits to the GP (General Practitioner) and other medical services,
Many New Zealanders take out private health cover to further support their overall access to health care so it is important to explore your options before you depart to ensure that you have more than adequate coverage should you need to access any medical services.
Workingholidaymaker.com TIP!
As with any travel experience, before heading off to New Zealand for holiday or work, you should confirm the specific health-care services that will be available to you and also consider taking out your own, personal travel insurance.
Workingholidaymaker.com TIP!
Some insurance policies will have waiting periods and exclusions. Make sure you fully understand the limitations of your cover before signing up.