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Arriving Soon

An international UCOL | Te Pūkenga student

Congratulations, you're on your way to UCOL Te Pūkenga! We look forward to meeting you.

Pre-departure guides

Download one of our handy pre-departure guides to help plan your trip. Also, see New Zealand government advice on the Get Ready website.

Living in NZ

Plan your move to New Zealand

To help plan your move to New Zealand, consider using Immigration New Zealand's handy online tool. Simply answer a few questions and receive helpful advice with a customised 'to do' list.

Try Immigration NZ's Plan your move to NZ online tool

Food

A complete range of fresh meats, poultry and fish is available in New Zealand. Fresh fruit and vegetables are plentiful, and you can get the best variety and prices at specialty vegetable shops.

Ethnic foodstuffs are available from most supermarkets in their international section and at specialty stores.

All of the UCOL Te Pūkenga campuses are located within close walking distance of restaurants and food outlets catering to a variety of cuisines.

If you plan on bringing food from your home country, research what is allowed under New Zealand law.

Clothing to bring
New Zealand has four seasons and changeable weather. It's recommended that you bring:

  • Woollen jerseys
  • Waterproof jackets
  • Covered shoes with rubber soles
  • Sports shoes

You'll have a limited luggage allowance. See Study in New Zealand's tips for packing for a 30kg luggage allowance.

Living in Palmerston North
If you're planning to study at UCOL Te Pūkenga Manawatū, find out about the city and surrounding Manawatu region by taking a look at the official tourism website for Manawatu.

Living in Whanganui
If you're planning to study at UCOL Te Pūkenga Whanganui, find out about the city by taking a look at the official tourism site for Whanganui.

Accommodation

UCOL Te Pūkenga doesn't arrange accommodation for international students, but we can provide some options nearby campus for you to consider. See our Accommodation Options page.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in New Zealand is comparable to what you'll find in any OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) country. Use Study in New Zealand's cost of living advice to compare prices and the New Zealand Government's Sorted budgeting tool to work out a detailed budget.

Mobile Phones

A photograph of a person using a mobile phone

We understand how important it is to stay connected with friends and family. UCOL Te Pūkenga provides international students free SIM cards so you can get a New Zealand phone number.

Doctors

In New Zealand, registering for a doctor (general practitioner or GP) is free and easy.

For medical attention after 5pm and on weekends, there are after-hours medical centres and services available to all students across New Zealand.

If you have medical questions or concerns while in New Zealand, you can call Healthline on 0800 611 116. Healthline is a free 24-hour telephone health advice service funded by the government's Ministry of Health. This service is operated by registered nurses who will assess a person's condition and health needs, and recommend the best course of action to be taken. They can also provide general health information and location of services.

For all emergencies, call 111.

Banking

You should bring only a small amount of cash to New Zealand. If possible, you should set up a New Zealand bank account before leaving your country so that you can make credit card and cash withdrawals as soon as you arrive. 

If this isn't possible, the UCOL Te Pūkenga International Support Staff can assist you with bank arrangements soon after you arrive. 

International Student Discounts

UCOL Te Pūkenga international students receive many community and retail benefits. Here are a few of our key sponsors:

  • Steve Parsons Travel - Travel agent
  • Office Max - Stationery and computer supplies
  • 2 Degrees  - Mobile phone and Internet provider

Transport

UCOL Te Pūkenga offers a free airport pickup service from Palmerston North and Whanganui Airports. 

In Palmerston North, you can ride the inner-city buses for free, using your UCOL Te Pūkenga identification card.

New Zealand's national public transport system includes buses, ferries and trains. Students planning a tour throughout New Zealand can obtain special student travel passes. Discount fares are also available for plane travel if booked early. Read more on Immigration New Zealand's or New Zealand Tourism's  website. 

Driver's license
Students must know the New Zealand Road Rules before driving in New Zealand. In general, you can drive using your overseas driver's license for up to 12 months, but after this time you must convert your license to a New Zealand Driver's License. Read more about the rules and regulations from the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

UCOL Te Pūkenga Campus Maps

Students at UCOL in Palmerston North

Working in NZ

Rules and regulations
You may be entitled to do some paid work whilst studying in New Zealand depending on your student visa conditions. To be able to work, you must meet one of seven requirements. The most common requirements are: 

  • your study programme is for at least two years
  • the study leads to a New Zealand qualification that gains points under the New Zealand Skilled Migrant Category; or
  • you are taking an English language course that meets conditions approved by Immigration New Zealand

In addition to the UCOL Te Pūkenga information on working while studying, find out more about the work rules for students

Job search websites
The Careers NZ website can be used as a resource for researching jobs in your field of study and how to apply for jobs in New Zealand.

Paying tax 
If you intend on working while studying in New Zealand find out about your tax obligations on Inland Revenue's website.


An international UCOL | Te Pūkenga student

Congratulations, you're on your way to UCOL Te Pūkenga! We look forward to meeting you.

Pre-departure guides

Download one of our handy pre-departure guides to help plan your trip. Also, see New Zealand government advice on the Get Ready website.

Living in NZ

Plan your move to New Zealand

To help plan your move to New Zealand, consider using Immigration New Zealand's handy online tool. Simply answer a few questions and receive helpful advice with a customised 'to do' list.

Try Immigration NZ's Plan your move to NZ online tool

Food

A complete range of fresh meats, poultry and fish is available in New Zealand. Fresh fruit and vegetables are plentiful, and you can get the best variety and prices at specialty vegetable shops.

Ethnic foodstuffs are available from most supermarkets in their international section and at specialty stores.

All of the UCOL Te Pūkenga campuses are located within close walking distance of restaurants and food outlets catering to a variety of cuisines.

If you plan on bringing food from your home country, research what is allowed under New Zealand law.

Clothing to bring
New Zealand has four seasons and changeable weather. It's recommended that you bring:

  • Woollen jerseys
  • Waterproof jackets
  • Covered shoes with rubber soles
  • Sports shoes

You'll have a limited luggage allowance. See Study in New Zealand's tips for packing for a 30kg luggage allowance.

Living in Palmerston North
If you're planning to study at UCOL Te Pūkenga Manawatū, find out about the city and surrounding Manawatu region by taking a look at the official tourism website for Manawatu.

Living in Whanganui
If you're planning to study at UCOL Te Pūkenga Whanganui, find out about the city by taking a look at the official tourism site for Whanganui.

Accommodation

UCOL Te Pūkenga doesn't arrange accommodation for international students, but we can provide some options nearby campus for you to consider. See our Accommodation Options page.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in New Zealand is comparable to what you'll find in any OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) country. Use Study in New Zealand's cost of living advice to compare prices and the New Zealand Government's Sorted budgeting tool to work out a detailed budget.

Mobile Phones

A photograph of a person using a mobile phone

We understand how important it is to stay connected with friends and family. UCOL Te Pūkenga provides international students free SIM cards so you can get a New Zealand phone number.

Doctors

In New Zealand, registering for a doctor (general practitioner or GP) is free and easy.

For medical attention after 5pm and on weekends, there are after-hours medical centres and services available to all students across New Zealand.

If you have medical questions or concerns while in New Zealand, you can call Healthline on 0800 611 116. Healthline is a free 24-hour telephone health advice service funded by the government's Ministry of Health. This service is operated by registered nurses who will assess a person's condition and health needs, and recommend the best course of action to be taken. They can also provide general health information and location of services.

For all emergencies, call 111.

Banking

You should bring only a small amount of cash to New Zealand. If possible, you should set up a New Zealand bank account before leaving your country so that you can make credit card and cash withdrawals as soon as you arrive. 

If this isn't possible, the UCOL Te Pūkenga International Support Staff can assist you with bank arrangements soon after you arrive. 

International Student Discounts

UCOL Te Pūkenga international students receive many community and retail benefits. Here are a few of our key sponsors:

  • Steve Parsons Travel - Travel agent
  • Office Max - Stationery and computer supplies
  • 2 Degrees  - Mobile phone and Internet provider

Transport

UCOL Te Pūkenga offers a free airport pickup service from Palmerston North and Whanganui Airports. 

In Palmerston North, you can ride the inner-city buses for free, using your UCOL Te Pūkenga identification card.

New Zealand's national public transport system includes buses, ferries and trains. Students planning a tour throughout New Zealand can obtain special student travel passes. Discount fares are also available for plane travel if booked early. Read more on Immigration New Zealand's or New Zealand Tourism's  website. 

Driver's license
Students must know the New Zealand Road Rules before driving in New Zealand. In general, you can drive using your overseas driver's license for up to 12 months, but after this time you must convert your license to a New Zealand Driver's License. Read more about the rules and regulations from the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

UCOL Te Pūkenga Campus Maps

Students at UCOL in Palmerston North

Working in NZ

Rules and regulations
You may be entitled to do some paid work whilst studying in New Zealand depending on your student visa conditions. To be able to work, you must meet one of seven requirements. The most common requirements are: 

  • your study programme is for at least two years
  • the study leads to a New Zealand qualification that gains points under the New Zealand Skilled Migrant Category; or
  • you are taking an English language course that meets conditions approved by Immigration New Zealand

In addition to the UCOL Te Pūkenga information on working while studying, find out more about the work rules for students

Job search websites
The Careers NZ website can be used as a resource for researching jobs in your field of study and how to apply for jobs in New Zealand.

Paying tax 
If you intend on working while studying in New Zealand find out about your tax obligations on Inland Revenue's website.


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