Student Information
New Zealand has several major banks:
We suggest you search each bank’s website for “international student” to see what package they’ll offer you.
You can open a New Zealand bank account and deposit money into it before you leave home. We can give you a letter at orientation with proof of your New Zealand address after you arrive. You will need to take this to your local branch to activate your account.
Cash
EFTPOS card – this card comes with a ‘PIN’ number which lets you access your bank account; you can also use it to get cash from automatic teller machines (ATMs) 24 hours a day
Credit card – these are widely accepted although some retailers add a surcharge for using a credit card
If you need to bring medication into New Zealand, follow these simple steps:
Keep your medicine in the original container with the label on
Make sure your name is clearly stated on the label
Have a copy of the prescription or a letter from your doctor explaining why you need to take the medicine
Have no more than a 3 month supply
Declare the medicine on your Passenger Arrival Card
If you are unsure whether your medicine is legal in New Zealand, check with the New Zealand Embassy in your home country before you leave.
Travel documents
Air tickets
Police Clearance
Passport
Medical and travel insurance documents
Money (New Zealand dollars)
Credit card
Driver's licence
Vaccination Pass
Medical records and personal medication
Extra passport photos
Your favourite music
Contact details of your friends and Families
New Zealand has strict laws on what you can bring into the country. Items that you must not bring include:
Drugs (unless they are prescription medication and you have a letter from your doctor explaining why you are carrying them)
Firearms/weapons
Flammable goods (such as gas cookers or lighters)
More than NZD$10,000, or the equivalent in foreign currency (cash)
Any animals or insects (alive or dead)
Feathers, shells, plants or flowers
Fresh foods, including meat
Some packaged goods, such as certain cheeses
There are also security regulations about carrying liquids, aerosols or gels in your hand luggage.
If you are unsure, please declare to immigration on arrival at the airport.
Plenty of warm clothing; even when arriving in summer, Canterbury has been known to have “four seasons in one day”!
Photos of family and friends to help you stop feeling homesick
An electrical adapter; in NZ the electrical supply is 230/240 volts at 50 cycles and uses ac 20 current (you can purchase this in New Zealand)
Personal medication prescribed by your Doctor
Originals and copies of:
Passport
Travel insurance documents
International Driver's licence
Academic records (if necessary)
Vaccine Pass
