City Hub · AKL

Moving to Auckland

What official sources say about arriving, settling in, and working in Auckland, New Zealand. Every point links to the page it came from.

Checked against official sources · last verified 24 Oct 2026

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Decide

Is this the right city for us?

Auckland at a glance

Time, rents and the new city-centre rail link in New Zealand's biggest city.

New Zealand is on NZST in winter and NZDT (daylight saving) in summer. Clocks went forward 1 hour at 2am on 27 September 2026 and go back 1 hour at 3am on 4 April 2027.
Source: Daylight saving — govt.nz ↗
The next daylight saving period starts at 2am on 26 September 2027 and ends at 3am on 2 April 2028.
Source: Daylight saving — govt.nz ↗
For new bonds lodged between 1 March and 31 August 2026, the median weekly rent across all homes was NZ$475 in Auckland Central, NZ$600 in Manurewa and NZ$850 in Ponsonby.
Source: Market rent, 1 Mar to 31 Aug 2026 — Tenancy Services (MBIE) ↗
In Auckland Central, 1-bedroom apartments had a median rent of NZ$445 a week and 2-bedroom apartments NZ$550 a week (new bonds, 1 March to 31 August 2026).
Source: Market rent, 1 Mar to 31 Aug 2026 — Tenancy Services (MBIE) ↗
The City Rail Link opened to passengers on Sunday 13 September 2026. It is a 3.45 km twin-tunnel railway with new stations at Te Waihorotiu, Karanga-a-Hape and Maungawhau, and trains now run through the city centre instead of ending at Waitematā.
Source: All aboard: what you need to know about City Rail Link opening 13 September — Auckland Transport ↗
Auckland Transport expects Te Waihorotiu to become the country's busiest train station.
Source: How the train network and timetables will change for the City Rail Link — Auckland Transport ↗

Every point links to its official source.Verified 24 Oct 2026

Laws and local rules

Emergency numbers and the border rules that catch newcomers out.

Call 111 in an emergency for Police, Fire and Ambulance. Call 105 for Police non-emergencies.
Source: Contact us — New Zealand Police ↗
You must declare all food, animal products and plants on your New Zealand Traveller Declaration. A false declaration carries a NZ$400 infringement fee. It is not a criminal conviction.
Source: Why you're fined for failing to declare — Ministry for Primary Industries ↗
Declare cash of NZ$10,000 or more (or the foreign equivalent), including travellers cheques, bank drafts and money orders.
Source: On your arrival — New Zealand Customs Service ↗
Declare alcohol over 3 bottles of spirits (up to 1.125 litres each) or 4.5 litres of wine or beer, and tobacco over 50 cigarettes or 50 grams.
Source: On your arrival — New Zealand Customs Service ↗
Declare goods bought overseas or duty-free worth more than NZ$700 in total, including gifts, and any medicine over 3 months' supply or not prescribed to you.
Source: On your arrival — New Zealand Customs Service ↗
Every employee in New Zealand must have a written employment agreement, and your employer must give you one.
Source: Employment agreements — Employment New Zealand ↗

Every point links to its official source.Verified 24 Oct 2026

Arrive

The first 72 hours

Arriving at Auckland Airport

The arrival declaration, then the AirportLink bus to the train at Puhinui.

Complete your New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) before you reach passport control, ideally before your flight. It is free, online at TravellerDeclaration.govt.nz or in the NZTD app.
Source: On your arrival — New Zealand Customs Service ↗
The NZTD online form is available in 14 other languages, but you must answer in English. Translated paper forms are for reference only.
Source: On your arrival — New Zealand Customs Service ↗
The orange AirportLink bus runs between the airport, Puhinui Station and Manukau Bus Station every 10 minutes, 7 days a week, from 4:30am to 12:40am. It leaves from stop B at the domestic terminal and stop A at the international terminal.
Source: Airport services (AirportLink) — Auckland Transport ↗
AirportLink takes 18 to 20 minutes from Puhinui Station to the international terminal and 13 to 17 minutes to the domestic terminal.
Source: Airport services (AirportLink) — Auckland Transport ↗
At Puhinui, East West and South City line trains run to the city centre stations Karanga-a-Hape, Te Waihorotiu and Waitematā. East West trains continue to Maungawhau and west Auckland.
Source: Airport services (AirportLink) — Auckland Transport ↗
Pay on AirportLink with an AT HOP card, a contactless debit or credit card, or a phone wallet. AT buses don't take cash.
Source: Airport services (AirportLink) — Auckland Transport ↗

Every point links to its official source.Verified 24 Oct 2026

Getting around

Zone fares on buses, trains and ferries, paid by AT HOP card or contactless.

Since 1 February 2026, adult AT HOP and contactless fares for buses and trains are NZ$0.95 for Citylink, NZ$3 for 1 zone, NZ$4.90 for 2 zones, NZ$6.50 for 3 zones and NZ$7.90 for 4 or more zones.
Source: Public transport fare changes 2026 — Auckland Transport ↗
Tertiary students pay NZ$1.55 for 1 zone and NZ$2.90 for 2 zones by AT HOP or contactless.
Source: Public transport fare changes 2026 — Auckland Transport ↗
With an AT HOP card you never pay more than NZ$50 in a 7-day period on buses, trains and inner-harbour ferries. The 7-day period starts with your first trip.
Source: 7-day fare cap for Auckland public transport — Auckland Transport ↗
Contactless bank cards and phones don't get the 7-day cap. They get a NZ$20 daily cap instead.
Source: 7-day fare cap for Auckland public transport — Auckland Transport ↗
Tag on and off for every trip, even once you've reached the cap.
Source: 7-day fare cap for Auckland public transport — Auckland Transport ↗
Since the City Rail Link opened, three train lines run: South City (Pukekohe to the city centre loop), East West (Swanson to Manukau via the loop) and Onehunga West (Onehunga to Henderson off-peak, Onehunga to Maungawhau at peak).
Source: City Rail Link: Auckland's new network in 2026 — Auckland Transport ↗
From 14 September 2026, trains run every 4 to 5 minutes through the new city stations at peak times.
Source: New era of transport in Auckland begins — Auckland Transport ↗
Frequent bus routes run at least every 15 minutes from 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week. They include NX1 and NX2 from Albany to the city centre.
Source: Frequent buses on key routes — Auckland Transport ↗

External links

AT fares ↗Frequent bus routes ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.

Every point links to its official source.Verified 24 Oct 2026

Settle

Home, school, doctor, bank

Neighbourhoods and renting

What renting costs and the national rules that protect tenants.

A landlord can charge a bond of up to 4 weeks' rent. If you pay the landlord, they must lodge it with Tenancy Services within 23 working days. You get a bond number and a Tenant Number: keep the Tenant Number private.
Source: Bond lodgement explained — Tenancy Services ↗
A landlord can't ask for more than 2 weeks' rent in advance. Usually it's 1 week if you pay weekly, 2 weeks if you pay fortnightly.
Source: Charging rent — Tenancy Services ↗
Letting fees have been banned since 12 December 2018, and so is key money. The one exception is an option fee to hold a place, which can't be more than 1 week's rent.
Source: Letting fees and key money — Tenancy Services ↗
Rent can go up only once every 12 months, and the landlord must give at least 60 days' written notice.
Source: Rent increases and reductions — Tenancy Services ↗
All rentals must meet the healthy homes standards (heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and draught stopping) as of 1 July 2025.
Source: Healthy homes compliance — Tenancy Services ↗
Since 30 January 2025, landlords can end a periodic tenancy without a reason by giving 90 days' notice. Tenants need to give 21 days' notice.
Source: Changes to tenancy terminations now in force — Tenancy Services ↗
Since 1 December 2025, landlords can refuse a pet only on reasonable grounds and can charge a pet bond of up to 2 weeks' rent.
Source: New pet laws and Bond Hub launch — Tenancy Services ↗
Tenancy Services publishes market rents by suburb from bonds lodged in the last 6 months. Use it to check an asking rent.
Source: Market rent, 1 Mar to 31 Aug 2026 — Tenancy Services (MBIE) ↗

External links

Market rent by suburb ↗Tenancy Services contact ↗Healthy homes standards ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.

Every point links to its official source.Verified 24 Oct 2026

Schools

School zones, ballots and who counts as a domestic student.

If you live in a school's home zone, your child automatically qualifies to enrol. Out-of-zone places depend on how many applications the school gets.
Source: School zones and enrolment schemes — Ministry of Education ↗
For the 2026 Auckland ballots, out-of-zone applications for secondary and intermediate schools closed on 2 September (ballot 9 September). For primary schools they closed on 14 October (ballot 21 October).
Source: School zones and enrolment schemes — Ministry of Education ↗
Domestic students are New Zealand citizens, residence class visa holders who meet the rules, and groups the Minister names in a Gazette notice. For schools, check the Primary and Secondary Education Notice 2026.
Source: Definition of a domestic student in New Zealand — Ministry of Education ↗
Some visas give access to state-funded education. Immigration New Zealand points you to the Ministry of Education and Appendix A of Education Circular 2020/08 to check.
Source: Access to public services while in New Zealand — Immigration New Zealand ↗
Use the Find your nearest school tool to search by address and see each school's details.
Source: Find your nearest school — Education Counts (Ministry of Education) ↗
The government provides healthy lunches every school day to more than 240,000 students who need them.
Source: Healthy School Lunches — Ministry of Education ↗

External links

School zones and enrolment schemes ↗Find a school ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.

Every point links to its official source.Verified 24 Oct 2026

Healthcare

Who gets public healthcare, enrolling with a GP, and injury cover.

You're eligible for publicly funded healthcare if your work visa lets you stay for 2 years or more. Time you've already spent lawfully in New Zealand can count.
Source: Publicly funded healthcare eligibility — Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waikato ↗
Australian citizens are eligible if staying 2 years or more, counted from their first day in New Zealand. Children 17 or younger are eligible if their parent or guardian is.
Source: Publicly funded healthcare eligibility — Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waikato ↗
New Zealand has reciprocal health agreements with Australia and the United Kingdom.
Source: Access to public services while in New Zealand — Immigration New Zealand ↗
Enrolling with a general practice is free, but practices can only enrol you if you're eligible. Visits cost less once enrolled. Non-enrolled patients usually pay a higher casual rate.
Source: General practices — Health New Zealand ↗
Children aged 13 and under who are eligible get free daytime GP and nurse visits and free prescriptions, though not every practice offers this.
Source: Zero fees for tamariki under 14 — Health New Zealand ↗
Call Healthline free on 0800 611 116, 24 hours a day, for health advice. Interpreters are available.
Source: Healthline — Health New Zealand ↗
ACC's no-fault scheme covers everyone injured in an accident in New Zealand, including visitors. It doesn't cover illness or travel home, so you still need insurance for those.
Source: Visiting New Zealand — ACC ↗

Every point links to its official source.Verified 24 Oct 2026

Banking and ID

Your IRD number, tax codes and bank deposit protection.

You need an IRD number to earn income, open a bank account, join KiwiSaver or buy property. Applying is free.
Source: When you need an IRD number — Inland Revenue ↗
If you start earning without an IRD number, you pay tax at 45%.
Source: When you need an IRD number — Inland Revenue ↗
New arrivals apply online. Inland Revenue checks your identity with Immigration New Zealand, and you get your number by text or email within 2 days, or by post within 10 days.
Source: Apply for an IRD number: new arrival to New Zealand — Inland Revenue ↗
Apply as a new arrival by the final date your visa lets you arrive. Australian passport holders have 4 to 6 weeks after arriving. After that, apply as someone living in New Zealand.
Source: Apply for an IRD number: new arrival to New Zealand — Inland Revenue ↗
Give your employer a tax code declaration (IR330). Without one, they must deduct tax at the 45% non-declaration rate.
Source: About tax codes — Inland Revenue ↗
The Depositor Compensation Scheme started on 1 July 2025. It covers up to NZ$100,000 per depositor per deposit taker, for money in protected accounts.
Source: Depositor Compensation Scheme — Reserve Bank of New Zealand ↗

Every point links to its official source.Verified 24 Oct 2026

Driving and cars

Using your overseas licence and converting it.

You can drive on a current overseas car licence for 18 months from the date you last arrived. This is a temporary 2-year extension; afterwards the limit goes back to 12 months.
Source: Time limit extended for driving on an overseas car licence — NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi ↗
If you leave New Zealand and come back, your 18 months starts again.
Source: Time limit extended for driving on an overseas car licence — NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi ↗
Motorcycle and truck licences can be used for 12 months.
Source: Factsheet 56: Driving in New Zealand for new residents and visitors (Nov 2024) — NZTA ↗
Carry your overseas licence whenever you drive. If it isn't in English, also carry an English translation from an NZTA-approved translator, an embassy or consulate, or the issuing authority, or a UN-convention international driving permit.
Source: Factsheet 56: Driving in New Zealand for new residents and visitors (Nov 2024) — NZTA ↗
To convert, your overseas licence must be current or have expired within the last 12 months. An international driving permit alone isn't enough.
Source: Factsheet 56: Driving in New Zealand for new residents and visitors (Nov 2024) — NZTA ↗
NZTA's driver licence line is 0800 822 422.
Source: Factsheet 56: Driving in New Zealand for new residents and visitors (Nov 2024) — NZTA ↗

External links

Converting to a NZ licence ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.

Every point links to its official source.Verified 24 Oct 2026

Thrive

Work, study, belong

Jobs and work

Minimum pay, tax, KiwiSaver and leave.

From 1 April 2026, the adult minimum wage is NZ$23.95 an hour, up from NZ$23.50. The starting-out and training rate is NZ$19.16 an hour.
Source: New minimum wage rates from 1 April 2026 — Employment New Zealand ↗
Income tax from 1 April 2025: 10.5% up to NZ$15,600, 17.5% to NZ$53,500, 30% to NZ$78,100, 33% to NZ$180,000 and 39% above that.
Source: Tax rates for individuals — Inland Revenue ↗
Your employer automatically enrols you in KiwiSaver if you're eligible, 18 to 65, full-time or permanent part-time on a contract longer than 28 days, and not already a member. The default employee rate is 3.5%. You have 8 weeks to opt out.
Source: KiwiSaver information — Inland Revenue ↗
All employees get 4 weeks' annual holidays after 12 months of continuous employment.
Source: Annual holidays — Employment New Zealand ↗
Every employee must have a written employment agreement.
Source: Employment agreements — Employment New Zealand ↗
Give your employer an IR330 tax code declaration, or tax is taken at 45%.
Source: About tax codes — Inland Revenue ↗

Every point links to its official source.Verified 24 Oct 2026

Universities and colleges

Auckland's main universities and student support.

The University of Auckland was founded in 1883 and has over 40,000 students.
Source: About us — University of Auckland ↗
AUT became a university in 2000 and has about 28,000 students.
Source: About AUT — Auckland University of Technology ↗
AUT has three campuses: City (central Auckland), North (Northcote) and South (Manukau).
Source: About AUT — Auckland University of Technology ↗
Massey University has an Auckland campus with childcare and a sport and recreation centre open to students and the public.
Source: Study on campus — Massey University ↗
A Student Allowance is a weekly payment you don't repay. Most people must be citizens, or have lived in New Zealand and held a residence class visa for at least 3 years.
Source: Student Allowance — StudyLink ↗
The NX2 frequent bus runs from Albany Bus Station to the city centre via the Auckland universities.
Source: Frequent buses on key routes — Auckland Transport ↗

Every point links to its official source.Verified 24 Oct 2026

Newcomer support

English classes, information in other languages and interpreting.

English Language Partners has three Auckland centres: Central & West, North Shore and South.
Source: Our centres — English Language Partners ↗
English Language Partners runs low-cost English classes and home tutoring. Its work-focused classes are free for jobseekers and employees who are residents or citizens.
Source: English Language Partners ↗
The Ministry for Ethnic Communities has information in about 20 languages and a directory of community organisations. Freephone 0800 656 656.
Source: Ministry for Ethnic Communities ↗
Language Assistance Services provides interpreting and translation across government agencies for people who aren't fluent in English.
Source: Language Assistance Services — Ministry for Ethnic Communities ↗
If you can't sort out a complaint with your phone or internet provider, Telecommunications Dispute Resolution can help. Call 0508 98 98 98.
Source: Telecommunications Dispute Resolution ↗

External links

Information in other languages ↗Community directory ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.

Every point links to its official source.Verified 24 Oct 2026

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