How To Backpack New Zealand On A Budget!

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After living in kiwi land for over 4 months, I feel I know enough and have made enough mistakes to show you guys how to travel and live in New Zealand on a budget. The price of living is high and don’t let anyone tell you any different. Prices are similar in some areas to those of Australia but with minimum wage being significantly lower, you will scratch your head by how fast your money will go!
Countdown is your go to supermarket in New Zealand with massive stores across the country, you can pick up absolutely anything you can imagine. However, like with most countries, New Zealand has an alternative for those wanting to save a few bucks. That alternative is Pak n Save.
Backpackers and locals alike will go to Pak n Save for one reason, the fresh produce section is unbelievably cheap. But with cheap meats, cheap veg and cheap cheese. Do not expect the meat to taste great or the veg to last very long.
Accommodation
The most common accommodation option for backpackers are hostels and they are everywhere! It is hard to find super cheap ones so if you are staying for the long run (like on a working holiday visa) then you may want to opt for a share house.
The biggest website to use when looking for shared accommodation is TradeMe.
Most spare rooms are unfurnished.
We stayed away from shops such as Warehouse or Target furniture as they are all new and pricey. We headed to the Red Cross furniture shop over the road from our house and looked for a bed frame, willing to buy the mattress new.
When it comes to the legality of it all, most landlords who rent to backpackers just ask for a couple of weeks rent in advance (sometimes a bond as well) but no contract. You just pay month to month!
Give yourself extra time to find a place to live! We also found that lots of listings won’t rent to couples! So it took us around 2 weeks to finally move into a place!
Transportation
I’m going to break this section down into local transport and long distance options!
Long distance:
Depending on your budget there are a lot of options to getting between and around both islands. If you opt to go for a good old fashioned bus ride then your options are ManaBus and NakedBus. Both offer incredible $1 offers on their seats (yes, you heard me) and even if you miss the $1 deals, then their normal prices are incredibly low!
If you need to fly then jump onto Skyscanner or Google Flights to check out the best deals, with Air New Zealand and Jet Star normally offering the lowest fairs!
Renting a car or buying a van is by far the best way to see New Zealand. The complete freedom to drive at your own pace and stop off anywhere you want! Rent a Dent is an awesome option with cars starting at $20 a day
Attractions
New Zealand is the land of natural beauty… and free things! Why pay to stay inside a museum when you have some of the words most incredible landscapes right in front of you? Long day walks, thermal springs and mountain views are all free and are not hard to come by!
Night life
A pint of cold beer will set you back on average around $10 and obviously buying your alcohol from a bottle shop is considerably cheaper. However, on a good note, kiwi’s love their happy hour so look out for some good deals if you want to save a few bucks when you’re out and about! To get the best deals, try finding some local backpacker bars or see if your hostel has a bar before you book!
If you are a smoker, then you will not like the prices of tobacco out here! Even more expensive than Australia, 50g pouch of tobacco will cost you around $70 (MINIMUM)… I’l let that one sink in.
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FTC disclaimer: This video is sponsored by ITALKI however all opinions and views are my own

[@enzo226]

Queenstown is super expensive but not all things are , about 10min drive out of Queenstown into Arrowtown you can go gold panning by renting a gold pan from the information Center .

[@user-oz7gc9bi7w]

oh and for car hire, check out jucy rentals. they often do relocations for $1 a day or free. you just pay petrol and insurance.

[@chainsnroses1193]

You can book hostel accommodation with nakedsleep (off of the nakedbus site) for loads cheaper. Also if you have a working visa you can work at a hostel for free accommodation! Lim Chour on K Rd. in Auckland has cheap Asian groceries.

[@user-oz7gc9bi7w]

im mostly a vegetarian, but id have to say there is nothing wrong with nz meat from countdown. Go check it out for yourself, its pretty decent. Fricken MILES better than many many other countries. Its highly likely the beef is free range. However do look elsewhere for free range pork, i think.

[@Andy_M986]

This Kiwi says. ."Air New Zealand ain't cheap!",rare cheap flights come up,but i found it's cheaper to fly to Aus then to Christchurch from Auckland.

[@davidbrooks2800]

Wow, that was a lot of information in a short period. *rewind & re-watch*

[@LauravanLangen]

It would be so awesome if you made a video with the guys from "Kingin-It" they make really awesome youtube videos from there :) lovely video even though I am really not in any way headed over there any time soon haha; but when you do head back out to Asia you should come visit me in India maybe? Long shot, I do realise haha

[@NZPocketGuide]

We're loving your New Zealand videos, Psycho Traveller! So many good tips... until we hear that you stayed in Auckland for your working holiday(?!). (Jokes, we lived there for while).

[@redskinsfreak614]

Would you rather have your first travel experience to be in Australia or New Zealand?

[@seanstrazanac1918]

I've watched a bunch of videos about travel in NZ because I've got a trip coming up to there soon. How come I haven't heard Stray bussing mentioned much yet? Most of the time I recommendations to Mana Bus or Naked bus.

[@eml0u]

A way you might be able to resolve your snapchat video problem is by joining the SnapChat Beta? It's in Settings then under "Join SnapChat Beta"...

[@Anna-yv7zm]

Unfortunately I don't have my license. Should I refrain from going to NZ until I am able to rent a car?? Also would it be too cold to go in June? THANKS

[@elsbethsteele9285]

I don't know why I watched this, being that I live in California and have no plans to go to NZ (you know, as of yet at least) But I guess I like you dear. :) Have you gone to hobbiton yet? Is I guess what I really want to know. Also, have you read the hobbit? If not, I highly highly recommend you do! It's all about adventure!!!

[@martine5652]

I'm leaving for New-Zealand for 6 months on December 9th and this video was really helpful! Do you know what the minimum wage per hour is in NZ? I'm going on a working holiday visa but I also purchased a WOOFF-ing license (which is amazing and can also save you a lot of money on food & shelter!). Any tips for a first time backpacker?

[@TLC9055]

I'm pretty sure it's either $13.50 or $14

[@hellurmoto3163]

Went up from $14.75 to $15.25 recently! :)

[@sophiewood97]

You've also got Intercity bus

[@aiyubibhayat5416]

great video, good information thank you

[@somme6]

Have you ever tried or considered van living?

[@somme6]

How was the other food in packsave? I don't consume animal products anyway.

[@ruhinsandhi3378]

Ole Didrik Gundersen ...ive visited packnsave a coupl of days ago n found that the meat was pretty good...n other stuff was also cheap with quality...

[@backpackersdream6813]

love the vids :)

[@alexanderharaldh4831]

I will google a bit more but, how old do u have to be to rent a car in New Zealand? I am 20.

[@alexanderharaldh4831]

+a Haraldh one have to be 18 years old to rent a car at Rent a dent.

[@alexanderharaldh4831]

Did I have to ask a question related to the video that might be of interest of other travelers going to NZ because I, myself at the time could not find an answer, and then maybe hours later, providing a short but Not complete answer to my own question with the hopes that it might help future young travelers? No, I really did not have to do that, sorry.

[@alexanderharaldh4831]

bruceownsu Why would I want to edit my comment?

[@alexanderharaldh4831]

But it was not an error, and I don't see the problem in having 2 comments instead of one. Normally you have a question, and then a tread with answers.

[@movieklump]

I found the best way to save on meat is not to eat the poor little animals.

[@ArtackePictures]

agree hundret percent :D

[@thetechnoking]

Alguém do Brazil?