New Zealand Services Housing

Services for Students
Studying in New Zealand

To be eligible for a student visa, you will need a written guarantee from a New Zealand educational institution or person, that suitable accommodation is available to you in New Zealand.

There are two main types of accommodation available:

Accommodation owned and managed by your college or university (this could be either on or off-campus).
Accommodation owned by private landlords or external organisations.

As an international student you may be eligible for student housing on-campus known as ‘dormitories’. Dormitory residents often share a room with two or three people (of the same sex) and typically share large bathrooms. Some cities have self-catering private or independent hostels. Please contact the universities you are applying to for more information.

If the college or university you have applied to does not provide on-campus accommodation for international students, or if you do not want to live on campus, you can move into private accommodation, known in New Zealand as going “flatting.” A variety of student accommodation is available to suit different budgets and needs.

It is a good idea to check your legal obligations very carefully before signing a lease agreement - you will be able to seek advice from your university’s off-campus housing office. Be aware that if you contact a real estate agent for assistance, you may be liable for fees for their services.

You may be interested in a home stay or private board, where you rent a room in the private home of a host family. The International Student Office at your college or university should be able to provide you with details.