Accommodation
New Zealand offers comfortable living conditions with favorable working policies for international students. The accommodation options are secure and affordable with the earnings you make out of your part - time work. You could opt to take up accommodation either at a hostel, halls of residence in campus/off campus or flat in with 2 or 3 others, which is most economical option. Home stay accommodation is another option where you will stay with a New Zealand family. You will be given a separate room with permission to utilise all the facilities available to the family members. It is suggested that you take up accommodation at a walking distance from the institute so that you can make a saving on the traveling expenses.

Living Expenses
The expenses you are most likely to make over a period of one week is rent, food, telephone (non-local), laundry, electricity, internet etc. which totals to $ 180 - $ 200.

Work
While studying, the working policies for international students are:

Permit to work part-time for 20 hours per week
Permit to work full-time during summer vacations

Earnings
You would be able to earn a min. of $12 per hour while working part-time.

Family policy
If you are married and pursuing a full - time post graduate study or pursuing a course belonging to the Long Term Skills Shortage List, your spouse is eligible to apply for a full - time work visa. Your spouse is allowed to look for a job and work as long as your student visa is valid. If you are a PhD student, your spouse is eligible to apply for a full-time work visa and your children can avail the benefit of free education in New Zealand.

Vacations
While you are on a student visa one you can come back home for a vacation as the visa issued is a multiple entry visa. As long as you can afford the air travel expenses you can travel back to India or to anywhere else in the world, but after seeking permission from your institute.

Do's and dont's while studying
 Attend classes regularly
Use the resources available at the institute effectively (library, internet…)
Save money by cooking at home
Don't work for more than 20 hrs/week
Don't look down on people working at restaurants
        

'Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students' issued by the NZ government acts as guidelines to the institute for the care of international students.