Things to do after arrival in New Zealand

This section provides advice about things you can do to become organised as soon as you arrive in New Zealand. Being organised from the start can save you a lot of time and money.

Airport

If this is the first time to travel abroad or to New Zealand, you may want to arrange for someone to welcome you at the airport. If you have a school or university, ask if they can arrange this and what extra charge you have to pay for this service. There are also private companies which can provide this kind of service. If you are staying at home stay or rent, they may offer to come to the airport to make sure that you reach their house safely.

Accommodation

If possible, you should try to arrange your initial accommodation (at least for the first week) before you arrive. This may be easier to arrange if you have a credit card. The college can also help you find home stay or rent before you arrive.

Goods for living

If staying at a home stay, kitchen goods do not need to be bought. Once you have found accommodation, you will probably need to buy some goods for daily life. In most home stay food are included with your accommodation. Clothing and other essential goods need to be bought for your own sake. This is not included with the accommodation.

Transport

A local street map can be bought from most bookshops and newsagents, or online . You should obtain information about local transport.

• Ask for local transport maps at bus/train stations.
• Find out the cost of ordinary tickets and season tickets, and whether there are student discounts.
• Find the times of the first and last buses and trains, and (if available) the nearest night bus route.

School/Colleges/University

Many schools (or colleges or universities) offer an induction programme to new international students. This will give useful information about the school and about living in New Zealand. Find out if your school has someone whose job is to provide support to international students. A career officer may be able to provide information on a wide range of practical subjects (for example: accommodation, immigration, opening a bank account), and can give you advice if you have serious financial or personal problems. Check your school's website - there is often useful information there for international students. If you are at a New Zealand university check if there is a way of buying textbooks or other things you need from other students at the university. If you are studying in Auckland and need to use public transport regularly, ask your school if they can issue you with a Student ID. With this card you will be able to get a discount on bus, train and other travel. For more information visit Maxx.co.nz

Police

In emergency situations you can get help from police by dialling 111, this also applies for fire and ambulance.

Money and Documents

Write down the numbers of travellers cheques and credit cards in case of loss or theft. For other information including financial matters can be found by visiting the New Zealand immigration website Here Organise your documents. Keep your bank statements, rental agreements, as well as any correspondence with your school, bank or immigration authorities. You may need these documents, for example to open a bank account or to apply for an extension to stay as a student in the New Zealand. Make some passport photos. Photo booths are located in some shopping centres. They are also sometimes found on a university campus (often near shops, banks or travel agents). Passport photos are useful for student cards, travel passes, job applications and immigration forms. Doctor You need to register with your nearest GP (General Practitioner) in order to receive free check up.

Library

Visit your local public library. You can usually find practical information here about local services such as doctors, dentists and hospitals. To improve your English, you can read newspapers or magazines or books (for other ideas about how to improve your English reading skills. You can borrow books from a lending library, but not from a reference library. If you find the books in the adult section of the library too difficult, look at the children's section. In larger libraries, there may be space on a desk where you can study during the day (some libraries are also open in the evenings). Audio books (stories on CD or cassette tape) can be useful if you want to improve your listening skills. Many libraries have computers with access to the internet. This is usually a free service, but you will need to book a time, you may be limited to half an hour or an hour, and there may be limits on what you can do on the computer.