Settling Down
Accommodation
Please be sure of where you are going to stay. Jot down the full address, contact details and possibly any other information so that you know where to go once you arrive in New Zealand. Better still, bring along the acceptance letter and if you are sponsored, do bring a copy of your financial affidavit. If you are uncertain about your accommodation when you’re there, do consult the accommodation service office or at least a senior student.
Internet Connection/Mobile Network
You may ask the seniors about the best or at least the most preferred internet and mobile services. In New Zealand, the options for mobile network include Telecom and Vodafone.
Banking
Opening a bank account is easy as long as you have the required documents with you. However, you should have some New Zealand dollars with you for use on arrival as cashing your bank draft or cheque may take some time. The options you have include The National Bank of New Zealand, ANZ Bank, Westpac, Bank of New Zealand and a few others.
Note: Students normally arrive a week or two before lectures commence. It’d be great if you get the serious matters (ie registering for a bank account, getting your internet connection) done first so that the extra few days before classes start could be used to ‘explore’ the new surrounding.