Cost of Living in New Zealand
The cost of living varies depending on where you live in New Zealand. The
New Zealand Immigration Service advises prospective migrants the average cost
per week including dining out, rent or home ownership (mortgages etc), running
and equipping the home, clothing and footwear and transport and travel would
be in the vicinity of NZ$450.00. However, we believe these figures to be on
the conservative side particularly for Auckland residents.
Auckland is the most expensive city in New Zealand in which to live, particularly
for housing. However, Auckland salaries tend to be higher. The further South,
the less expensive the cost of living becomes.
Groceries
For a family of four, weekly grocery spending would be approximately $150.00
per week. The four major grocery chains, Foodtown, Big Fresh, Woolworths and
New World are competitive.
Below is an indication of what you may pay for various items. (Prices for
October 1998)
|
Milk (2 litres)
|
$2.20
|
Butter
|
$2.25
|
|
Margarine
|
$2.25
|
Eggs (1 doz)
|
$2.20
|
|
Cheese (250 gm)
|
$3.35
|
Bread (1 loaf)
|
$2.20
|
|
Cereal
|
$3.98
|
Pasta
|
$2.35
|
|
Marmalade
(500 gm)
|
$2.20
|
|
|
|
Jam (500 gm)
|
$2.20
|
|
|
|
Coffee (instant 100 gm)
|
$4.91
|
Coffee beans (kg)
|
$37.00
|
|
Tea Bags
|
$3.20
|
Biscuits (pkt)
|
$2.20
|
|
Rice (kg)
|
$1.80
|
|
|
|
|
Tissues
|
$2.00
|
Toilet Paper (pk of 4)
|
$3.15
|
|
Dishwashing Liquid
|
$1.98
|
Washing Powder
|
$3.49
|
|
Canned foods
|
|
Tomato Sauce (580 gm)
|
$2.00
|
Baked Beans (425gm)
|
$2.00
|
|
Spaghetti (300 gm)
|
$1.12
|
Salmon (210gm)
|
$2.60
|
|
Toiletries
|
|
Toothpaste
|
$2.20
|
Soap (one)
|
$0.70
|
|
Deodorant
|
$3.50
|
Shampoo
|
$4.99
|
|
Staple foods
|
|
Sugar 1.5 kg
|
$1.96
|
Flour
|
$1.80
|
|
Meat and Poultry
|
|
Ground tenderbeef (500gm)
|
$5.00
|
Sirloin Steak ( 500gm)
|
$8.00
|
|
Chicken Drumsticks (6)
|
$5.50
|
Chicken breasts (500gm)
|
$10.00
|
|
Sausages
|
$3.00
|
Snapper (500gm)
|
$13.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fruit and Vegetables
|
|
Potatoes (1 kg)
|
$1.65
|
Carrots (1 kg)
|
$1.23
|
|
Broccoli head
|
$1.30
|
Mushrooms (250 gm)
|
$3.00
|
|
Tomatoes 1 kg)
|
$4.50
|
Frozen Peas (1 kg)
|
$2.00
|
|
Oranges (1 kg)
|
$3.50
|
Apples (1 kg)
|
$1.50
|
|
Bananas (1 kg)
|
$2.20
|
|
Motor Vehicles
A wide range of motor vehicles are available and prices vary depending on
the make, year and mileage. Vehicles can be purchased from Motor Vehicle Dealers,
Auctions or privately.
Japanese Imports are popular and affordable. A reliable family car can be
purchased for as little as NZ$5,000. New cars range from $20,000 upwards depending
on the make. Late model and second hand European cars such as Puegeot, Mercedes
Benz, Porsche, Jaguar, BMW Alfa Romeo etc range from $30,000 depending on the
make and year.
Banks
New Zealand's economic development has attracted large amounts of foreign
investments in recent years. Our banks are on the forefront of new technologies,
with all offering Internet banking, some of them since 1997. You will find
links to most of our banks and a number of financial services firms below.
|
