Navigating New Zealand's Cost of Living

International recruiters tell us that candidates looking at relocating to New Zealand are well aware that basic expenses will take a large chunk out of their salaries. Our high cost of living is what it is, but clever recruiters are adept at allaying candidate concerns by giving them insider tips on how Kiwis hack their everyday expenses.

In this blog, we provide international recruiters with a ‘cheat sheet’ of cost-saving tips to share with candidates

Reduce your grocery bill

• Check the Unit Price. The major supermarkets display the unit price (usually cost per 100 g) as well as the item pricing - comparing this will enable you to see whether advertised specials are actually the cheapest. ? For example you’d expect a larger pack to be more economical, but by comparing the unit price you can see if this is actually the case.
• Shop Seasonally. Produce is usually cheaper and more plentiful when it’s in season, so choosing your fruit and vegetables based on whether they’re in season or not could help save on your weekly groceries. Frozen fruit and vegetables can be a good cost-effective option too.
• Take your lunch to work!? It can be tempting to pop out with colleagues every day and grab a bite to eat but this can easily end up costing a small fortune by the end of the week. It may require being more organised but the savings will be with it - in fact If the average lunch costs around $10, making a sandwich or packing some leftovers can easily save you over $2,000 a year.?
• Explore Local Farmers' Markets. Many towns and cities host farmers markets during the weekend which are fantastic for buying fresh, locally grown fruit, vegetables and produce often at lower prices compared to supermarkets. ? You will find larger markets advertised online, however it is worth asking your colleagues and neighbours, as smaller markets may not be as well known.

Shop Second-Hand for furniture, clothing and appliances

• In-store: Charity or second-hand stores are widely known as Opportunity Shops (or Op Shops) and most towns will have at least one where you will find good quality items at reasonable prices.? You can find a store in your area here.

• Online: Trade Me is the largest website in New Zealand for Kiwis to sell their goods, though often this is an auction system which requires you to bid against others, and Facebook Marketplace is also a popular platform for buying and selling items.
• Free! Freecycle lists items people no longer require and are prepared to give away.? All you need to do is go pick them up!

Manage your energy usage

Given the high cost of utilities?it is important to be mindful of just how much electricity you use. According to NZ’s Electricity Authority, 27% of household energy is used for heating water, while 20% goes towards electronic devices such as TVs, video consoles, computers, laptops etc.

A few simple energy-saving steps to possibly reduce your monthly bill include:?

• Take shorter showers, and check if your hot water cylinder is insulated
• Utilise natural sunlight to heat your home during the day
• Most Kiwi homes have a washing line, and it is very common and cost-efficient to use free sunshine to dry your clothes
• Make a habit of turning off lights, appliances, and electronics when not in use.
• Use curtains or blinds effectively to help regulate the temperature inside your home and reduce heating loss
• Use Powerswitch to check if you have the most economical power plan for your needs.

Mobile Relocation has a range of settlement support services to suit your candidates and your business - from baseline support to meet Immigration New Zealand’s AEWV Accreditation requirements (Kiwi Launch Pad) through to personalised programmes to support your most valued international employees.

Learn more about how we can help you.

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Bridget is a New Zealander who has lived and worked as a diplomat in Singapore and India.?After experiencing all facets of the relocation experience, she founded Mobile to work with private individuals moving to NZ and leading local and international businesses bringing in offshore talent.