• New Zealand Regions
      • Hawke's Bay
      • Bay of Plenty
      • Waikato
      • Whanganui
      • Manawatu
      • Northland
      • Auckland
      • Gisborne
      • Taranaki
      • Wellington
      • West Coast
      • Nelson
      • Canterbury
      • Otago
      • Marlborough
      • Southland
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      Hawke's Bay

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      Beaches, wineries and Art Deco. The Hawke's Bay has a diverse economy, including business services that support its sectors to be the second largest contributor to regional GDP in the country. A popular tourist destination, the region has some of the countries best restaurants as well as stunning scenery, markets and festivals.

      Districts

      HastingsNapier

      Bay of Plenty

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      The Bay of Plenty is officially New Zealand's sunniest destination, enjoying short-lived winters and long summer days. The Region offers some of the country's most spectacular views and many ways to enjoy the pristine scenery and natural wonders. Visitors also enjoy exploring the Bay's Māori heritage and pre-European roots.

      Districts

      OpotikiOpotiki iSiteKawerauWhakatane

      Waikato

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      The Waikato is known for its rolling plains, fertile land and the mighty Waikato River. The region is the fourth largest regional economy in New Zealand, with a strong focus on primary production and associated manufacturing.

      Districts

      South WaikatoWaikato District

      Whanganui

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      Welcome to Whanganui. This is our place; where history is full of stories, legends and rich legacy. Where a thriving arts scene, creativity and evolving culture inspire our modern lives. Where breath-taking natural landscapes capture imaginations at every turn.

      Manawatu

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      Located in the lower North Island, Manawatu is heartland New Zealand, offering an authentic Kiwi experience.

      The main in the region are Palmerston North, most notable for Massey University. Palmerston has a vibrant, arts and culture scene.

      The region's economy is based on food production and processing, research and education. The region is also home for the New Zealand defence force.

      Northland

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      Northland was originally home to some of our country's first human inhabitants. Today, it is one of the fastest growing regions in New Zealand and home to nearly 189,000 people. Rich in culture and history, the region boasts a stunning natural environment.

      Auckland

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      Auckland Region stretches from the the beaches of the Pacific Ocean in the east to the expansive beaches of the rugged west coast of the Tasman Sea. Auckland City, the largest urban area in New Zealand is considered the main economic center of New Zealand and a popular destination for international students and travellers.

      Gisborne

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      Gisborne is a Region on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. It's known for wineries and surf beaches such as Makorori. The region has maintained a strong Maori heritage. The region's economy is made up mainly of agriculture, horticulture and forestry.

      Taranaki

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      Taranaki is a coastal and mountainous region on the western side of New Zealand's North Island. Its landscape is dominated by Mount Taranaki, its namesake volcano, which lies within the rainforested Egmont National Park.

      The port city of New Plymouth is the area's cultural and commercial hub. Taranaki's economy is diverse and includes dairy, oil and gas. The region is the highest contributor or national GDP per capita. 

      Wellington

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      The Wellington Region covers Wellington city in the south, Upper and Lower Hutt valleys to the north-east, and Porirua to the north-west. The region takes its name from Wellington, New Zealand's capital city.

      Wellington is famous for its arts and culture scene and is also the centre of New Zealand's film industry.

      West Coast

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      The West Coast, or as some locals call it, the "Wild West", is a long thin region that runs down the South Island's west coast.

      The region has the lowest population in all of New Zealand. It is famous for its rugged natural scenery such as the Pancake Rocks, the Blue Pools of Haast, and the glaciers.

      The main industries in the region are dairy farming and mining. Tourism also plays an important role.

      Nelson – Tasman

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      Nelson Tasman is an extraordinary, vibrant region where art and businesses thrive together among a stunning natural landscape. With one in five people internationally born, Nelson Tasman has 48 different cultures living in its environs.

      The region prides its self on being New Zealand’s leading Research and Development areas, with the highest proportion of people working in the research, science and tech sectors out of anywhere in New Zealand.

      Canterbury

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      Canterbury is a region on New Zealand’s South Island marked by grassy plains, clear lakes and snow-capped mountains. Its largest city, Christchurch, is famed for its art scene and green spaces.

      Otago

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      There are few places in the world which will leave you with a lasting sense of difference. Central Otago is undoubtedly one of them from its landscapes, its seasons, its people, its products and experiences.

      Marlborough

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      Marlborough Region is on the north-eastern corner of the South Island. The region is well known for its winemaking industry, and the Marlborough Sounds, an extensive network of coastal waterways, peninsulas and islands.

      Apart from the wine industry, aquaculture, agriculture and tourism play an important role in the local economy.

      Southland

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      Southland is New Zealand’s most southerly region and includes the World Heritage ranked Fiordland National Park.

      The region's only city Invercargill offers a relaxed pace of life with wide streets, little traffic, spacious parks and gardens, striking Victorian and Edwardian architecture and impressive sporting facilities including New Zealand’s first indoor velodrome. Southland's location is such that views of Aurora Australis or the Southern Lights are common.

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Introduction to shopping

Shopping is an important part of everyday life, so it’s a good idea to know what you can and can’t buy in certain shops before you consider moving somewhere long-term. Luckily, shopping in New Zealand won’t be a painful experience, as major Kiwi supermarkets are usually stocked with pretty much everything the average shopper might need. Supermarkets are usually open until late 7 days a week, so you’ll have plenty of time to get your shopping done. Supermarkets offer food, drinks and household items as well as alcohol for those over 18 years old.

 

Buying Food in New Zealand

In addition to supermarkets, you can buy your food from a dairy. This is the name given to smaller stores and corner shops. They have a smaller range than the average supermarket but they can be more convenient and close-by. Petrol stations also offer food and some household items, as well as the car-related goods that you would expect. This may be a convenient alternative after a long drive, but petrol stations do tend to be on the expensive side.

If you have migrated to New Zealand and are looking for some food from closer to home, you could try an ethnic grocery store. There are many of these stores located in cities and suburbs that can offer a diverse range of foods and flavours. This is similar to those who require halal options, cities and suburbs are the best places to find these more specialised foods. New Zealand is full of cafes, restaurants and takeaways that offer a range of cuisines and specialties, being such a diverse nation, you can really experiment with new foods in New Zealand.

 

Kiwi Retailers

If you are looking to buy clothes then most retailers can be found at the edge of towns and cities. Kiwis usually drive everywhere, so the position of these shopping centres aren’t too much of a problem. Some of the big retail brands have megastores, while others form part of a larger shopping centre. Most towns will have at least one of these shopping centres for you to browse around. They are open from 9-5 and usually close on Sundays.

 

Managing Money in New Zealand

Once you have chosen what to buy, it’s time to pay for it. Unlike in some countries, Kiwis don’t usually bargain for better deals, it is expected that you pay the price that is advertised. Luckily, most shops in New Zealand take credit card, but it’s usually a good idea to carry some cash as some shops and services like taxis charge extra for using a card in the transaction. If you need to take some money out of your bank account, there are many ATMs around New Zealand and they almost always offer international transfers for foreign cards. These do usually come with a charge attached, so it’s worth looking to get a local card for ease of access with paying and getting paid.

Speaking of paying, New Zealand is a great place to live, but it can be a little expensive. Top shopping tips for saving some money include:

  • Waiting for sales. Supermarkets and megastores will have regular sales that can help you save loads of money if you are willing to wait for one to come around.
  • Use online price comparison sites.
  • Buy second hand or used items. This is very popular in New Zealand due to the resourceful nature of the Kiwis. They use TradeMe for this, it’s like Ebay for New Zealanders.
  • Along with buying second hand, you could visit charity shops. Charity shopping is popular in New Zealand for a similar reason and can be a great way to find some great deals or stylish retro clothes!

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