The New Zealand rental market is varied, with a range of pricing for the many different types of housing available. With views from Mt Taranaki to the sea, New Zealand accommodation is often found in the most stunning locations. From conveniently close to main centres and cities to tranquil oases that make the most of the New Zealand landscapes and native forests. The choice is yours.

You will find more homes than apartment style properties within New Zealand. You can find rental properties by contacting landlords directly or you can go through a letting agent, for example a real estate agent. Letting agents act as agents for landlords when granting or assigning a tenancy. Green School can put you in touch with a local real estate agent, if you would like these contact details please get in touch.

You can also check popular websites like TradeMe Property, Realestate.co.nz etc. These websites are populated with rental properties available. Having a look on these websites will also give you an overview of the types of properties available nearby Green School and of rent cost in these areas. There is always a high demand for good places across New Zealand, so it is recommended to make contact quickly if a property catches your eye.

Finally, there is also a private Facebook group and WA Community Page for those Green School families who are already in the community or have fully paid tuition, that will share where possible, the local accommodation available. Please get in touch to join this group. 

Ōakura, where GSNZ is located, is not the only township or suburb to live in while attending Green School. Taranaki is a wide region with a lot of different areas nearby to reside. A lot of GSNZ students come to school from suburbs in the nearby city of New Plymouth, most of these are within a 10-40 minute drive to the school. There are also many other smaller towns throughout Taranaki that can provide homes on lifestyle blocks and spacious sections with sea and/or mountain views if you are looking at an alternative to city living. You can learn more about the different areas around Taranaki below. 

We recommend that you do not limit yourself to looking at only one suburb to live in, take a look at all of the options available to you around the Taranaki region and choose what works best for you and your family, considering travel times, costs etc.

As a destination school Green School New Zealand does not offer host families or boarding opportunities for learners.

If you meet the criteria you can drive on a foreign driver's licence in New Zealand up to 12 months from the date you arrive in the country. After this point you must have converted your foreign licence to a New Zealand licence to legally drive in New Zealand. 

If you have never driven in New Zealand, you need to learn the New Zealand road rules before getting behind the wheel of a car once you are here. There may be significant differences to driving in your home country. We recommend you watch the Waka Kothai (NZ Transport Agency) video Driving in New Zealand or download a copy of their booklet of the same name (available in several languages). If you plan to be here for a while - take a Defensive Driving Course to strengthen your driving skills and knowledge of the New Zealand road rules. 

Tip: If you are used to driving on the right hand side of the road, when you pick up your car, test drive around the carpark a few times to get used to driving on the left hand side of the road as is per law on New Zealand roads. 

The roads in New Zealand are long and taxi/shuttle services can get very expensive here due to this. New Zealand does have buses available to travel around the country, however, these are not as frequent as other countries and provide limited timing and route options.For more information on local bus routes please see: 

Taranaki Regional Council | Buses Transport | Routes

We strongly recommend that you purchase a car to use during your time in New Zealand. Buying your own car gives you the chance to travel your way within New Zealand, with maximum flexibility. 

Buying a car: The most common ways to buy a car in New Zealand is looking on websites such as Trademe, and secondhand car dealerships such as Turners etc. New arrivals in New Zealand say that second hand cars are cheaper here than in other countries. If you are looking for a brand new car, there are plenty of car dealerships located around major cities and you can usually browse their selection on their website or by simply walking into the dealership.

Remember: Be sure to apply for a transfer of ownership at your local post office or AA Center if you are buying a second hand car. The old owner and new owner both must sign this document.

Owning a car: Your car needs to hold a valid registration and a warrant of fitness at all times. The registration can be for 1, 3, 6, 12 months and can be applied for and purchased at any New Zealand post office. The warrant of fitness (WOF) certifies that the car is technically fit to drive on New Zealand roads and must be renewed every 6 months. These are important to keep on top of to ensure you do not receive a fine.

Having some form of transportation to GSNZ is very crucial as currently there is only a school van carpooling students from Bell Block, on the other side of New Plymouth, just under 30 minutes drive from the school. This is pay by term and you will receive an invitation at the beginning of the school year if you wish to use this service. There is no school van around the township of Ōakura.

As in most countries, to connect to the local cellular network, and be able to make calls, send text messages and access mobile internet, you will need a local SIM card for your mobile phone.

There are many network providers in New Zealand, however, there are four main ones - Spark, Skinny, Vodafone, and 2degrees. These providers offer a range of different plans for different levels of usage from prepaid to on a monthly plan. Take some time to research these providers and plans and choose what works for you. 

There is little difference between cell phone network providers, especially for those living in the city, however, coverage can vary in rural and remote areas such as the smaller towns around Taranaki, like Ōakura.

New arrivals to New Zealand often say texting is cheap here, however, calling and mobile data can get expensive. We recommend having a data heavy mobile plan, especially when you are new to New Zealand. Wifi can be hard to come by here and having internet access will help you to get around and learn the roads through Google Maps guides. A pack with unlimited data would be the best option.

New Zealand and Taranaki reception coverage: Canstar Blue | Phone Internet | Best Mobile Coverage | Taranaki

If you wish to sign up for a doctor once you arrive in New Zealand please see information to find a nearby practice and how to sign up here. If you have a Fee-paying Student Visa, when you apply you must agree that you will get health insurance as a requirement. 

Taranaki has urgent care at emergency clinics such as Medicross, Phoenix, Carefirst, and the Taranaki Base Hospital accident and emergency. Medicross and Taranaki Base Hospital A&E allow walk-ins for urgent medical care. There is also a Medical Center with practising General Practitioners and nurses nearby GSNZ at Ōakura Medical Center for those living in the area.

New Zealand has one of the strictest biosecurity rules in the world to help protect the local economy, environment, human health and a range of social and cultural values, preventing and managing risks from harmful organisms. This results in animals coming into New Zealand requiring certification and inspection, and also possibly quarantine. 

The process can be costly, and flights can be long, however, we understand that in some families, pets are just as much a part of the family as anyone else. We recommend that you consider very seriously how your pet will respond to the flight and quarantine process when moving to New Zealand. 

If you do wish to bring your pet or pets with you on the journey, it must be a cat or a dog. New Zealand does not allow other animals into the country unless you are coming from Australia. For more detailed information on the import rules and requirements for New Zealand, visit the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) website here, however, this will not cover your origin countries’ export processes.

Cats and dogs coming from Australia, United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Hawaii and Singapore will not require quarantine on arrival. In this case the animals will require certification and will be inspected for ticks on arrival. 

Please take time to research which airlines are allowed to import pets into the country as only a few are licensed to. Air New Zealand is a popular choice. Whichever country you are arriving from, you and your pet will likely enter New Zealand via Auckland Airport even if your quarantine facility and final destination is located elsewhere in New Zealand. 

If you have questions about importing cats and dogs, email animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz or for more information please see: MPI | Bringing cats and dogs to NZ | Step by step guide to bringing cats and dogs to NZ or Pet Relocation | Bringing dogs and cats to New Zealand a simple guide

More reading on bringing animals to New Zealand: Customs | Import pets and animals and New Zealand Immigration | How to bring my pet to New Zealand