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students, workers & explorers going to New Zealand & travelling from New Zealand.
Answer our simple questions to get started
InsurancesafeNZ provides three different travel insurance policy categories: Studentsafe, Workersafe and Explorersafe. This means that if you’re travelling to New Zealand, travelling within New Zealand or temporarily leaving New Zealand, we have something to offer you. Use the Policy Finder to narrow your policy search and get a quote. Our website is also packed with great information on how to keep safe, how to make the most of your time abroad and how to understand your travel insurance policy better. If you need further assistance contact one of our friendly staff on our toll-free number 0800 486 004 (within NZ) or +64 9 488 1638 (outside of NZ).
A sudden medical emergency struck, a collapsed lung due to an undiagnosed cyst, Tasbiha's world was turned upside down. Tasbiha is an international PhD student studying Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Otago, she came to New Zealand to pursue her passion in science.
With her family thousands of kilometres away in Pakistan, Tasbiha faced one of the most challenging moments of her life. Thankfully, she had Studentsafe Medical and Travel Insurance when she needed it most, e
Studying in New Zealand is an adventure of a lifetime, which is why a range of unexpected bumps and accidents are covered under Studentsafe policies.
But when it comes to certain medical conditions, you may not be automatically covered. That’s why it’s important to disclose any medical conditions you want cover for.
The term “Pre-existing Medical Conditions” is commonly used when applying for insurance. This refers to your medical history and the full definition can be found on
Being in good health is key to embarking on an exciting study adventure in New Zealand.
Anyone planning to study in New Zealand for more than three months is required to apply for a student visa.
When applying for a new or to renew a visa, you may need to provide New Zealand Immigration with medical information to demonstrate an acceptable level of health.
Studentsafe policies do not cover medical costs for your visa application.
Studentsafe policies are desig
Your wellbeing is important which is why Studentsafe provides cover for medical and related expenses.
But before you make an appointment for check-ups related to your health, it’s important to understand what is and isn’t covered under your policy.
Studentsafe does not provide cover for certain medical tests listed as Exclusions under Section 1: Medical and Related Expenses as set out below:
9. Health screening, medical and dentals reviews or vaccinations.
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Staying healthy plays a vital role in making the most of your study adventure. If you have been prescribed medication and are looking to make a claim, it’s important to understand what is and isn’t covered under your policy.
Just because a certain medication has been prescribed by your doctor, it does not mean that it is automatically covered.
Studentsafe does not provide cover for certain medical tests listed as Exclusions u
Starting a new school is a big change for anyone. It’s an extra big change if your new school is also in a new country! It’s natural to feel nervous and unsure about what school in New Zealand might be like, but the good news is that most schools here are friendly, supportive environments where students of all ages are encouraged to do their best and find subjects that they are interested in.
The most common way that schools
If you’re reading this article, you’ve already made a sensible choice. If you’re in a new relationship, or thinking about starting to date, it’s important to think about how you can ensure that you and your partner stay safe when you’re having a little extra ‘fun’.
So read on to learn more about what steps you should be taking to keep safe. The consequences can range from irritating to life-threatening – and that isn’t a gamble anyone should take.
Unless you’re really into skiing, winter in New Zealand isn’t really the most exciting time of year. It’s not cold enough for there to be pretty snow falling in the cities, but it’s still cold enough that you don’t want to spend time outside unless you have to. Instead of snow, we mostly get rain and wind. It’s certainly not terrible – but it does give you a good excuse to go somewhere sunny if you have the time and budge
Adjusting to a new workplace comes with challenges wherever you are in the world – and if you're in a new country as well as a new workplace, those changes can be even more extreme. New Zealand culture is quite friendly and informal, and this extends to many workplaces. But it can be difficult at times to understand where the limit is – how casual is too casual and what will make you look unprofessional? How formal is too formal and what will make you look too unapproachable?
Some of
A healthy worker is a more productive worker. It seems like an obvious statement to make, but in today’s working world, many workers feel that they have keep pushing and pushing to get results – even at the expense of their health and wellbeing. Workplaces need to be more supportive of their staff to make sure that they feel they are able to take time to get healthy if they are unwell, or to express their concerns if they are overburdened with stress.
In some ways many may find New Zealand airports easier to understand and less stressful than other airports. Our customs agents aren’t armed, and they tend to be friendly unless you give them reason not to be. The airports themselves aren’t huge multi-terminal places where you can get lost just trying to find the right place to check-in.
But in other ways, they can seem very strict for people not familiar with New Zealand and our unique place in the world. Our biosecurity rules in par
Every city has its secrets. When you live somewhere it can be very easy to get caught up in your day-to-day activities and forget about the beauty that surrounds you. However, while travelling it is a completely different story; you’re there to create memories and explore every corner
Flatting doesn’t have to be expensive. There are a number of ways you can set up a flat on a budget without losing out on quality and the occasional treat. To make sure that you get the best experience possible no matter what your income may be, we’ve brought together a few of our favourite tips and t
When you’re planning adventures overseas, there’s so much excitement that it can be easy to forget about the parts of travel that are a little less glamorous. Organising travel insurance may not be as thrilling as planning your routes and researching the major attraction
You’ve booked your flights and accommodation, bought your travel insurance, taken time off work and are just about ready to take off on your holiday!
Regardless of whether you’re a frequent flier or
For many people, the shift from university study to the working world is one of the biggest changes they will ever experience. Life until that point is focused on formal education – sitting in class, doing homework, taking notes… and then all of a sudden, it’s time to step out into
Graduating is an exciting process – it’s time to celebrate the years you’ve spent working hard towards getting your degree! But then it’s time to become a fully-fledged grown-up contributing your part to society.
Everyone has something to offer
Whe
Relocating to a new country for work is hugely exciting. Getting a new job and home and navigating new cultures, practices and languages is an immersive experience and can be incredibly consuming.
An “out with the old, in with the new” approach can be tempting – after all, you’re making a
Your Duty of Disclosure
When you apply for insurance cover, you are required by law to provide complete and up-to-date risk-relevant information – this is sometimes called disclosure of material facts. You must also disc
In general, the younger your children are the easier it will be for them to pick u
For many of us, our pets are part of the family. For expats intending to move overseas with their pet, planning and research before the move is essential. It is crucial to ensure the welfare of your beloved pet during and after transit, and that regulation surrounding the importation and exportation of pets is complied with.
Research animal import regulations for your new country of residence, to determine what conditions must be met for your pet to be allowed en
Reverse culture shock refers to the difficulty sometimes experienced when returning to your home country after studying abroad, and it is a common phenomenon among many international students today. It can result in unexpected difficulty in readjusting to the culture and values of your home country, now that the previou
There is a wide variety of scams that, unfortunately, are specifically targeted at international students preying on the vulnerability of living independently in a foreign country. International students are unaware of the normal local protocols and processes in place, making it hard to spot and identify any scam. Whether you are just starting university or wrapping up a master's, it is more important than ever for you to be cyber conscious.
Scammers are never going to go away, so i
Unless you’re really into skiing, winter in New Zealand isn’t really the most exciting time of year. It’s not cold enough for there to be pretty snow falling in the cities, but it’s still cold enough that you don’t want to spend time outside unless you have to. Instead of snow, we mostly get rain and wind. It’s certainly not terrible – but it does give you a good excuse to go somewhere sunny if you have the time and budget for it!
The good thing about being in the South Pacific is that we are nearby to so many beautiful places that seem like a far-off land to people from other parts of the world. Fiji might seem remote and magical to people in Europe or North America – but to people here in New Zealand, it’s one of the most affordable places to go on an international holiday!
So here is your introduction to some amazing places in Polynesia and Melanesia, as well as along Australia’s eastern coastline, that are just a flight away from Auckland. Get exploring, and chase that sun!
For travellers on a budget who want to enjoy a moment of island time, Fiji is the obvious answer. There really is something for everyone – whether your version of an island holiday means rest and relaxation in the pool and on the beach, or exploring the water from above and below, or being introduced to traditional village customs… you really can pick exactly what you will enjoy the most.
Whether you pick one of the more remote island groups for a secret getaway, or stick to the ‘mainland’ options on Viti Levu, you are guaranteed to have a wonderful time. It’s very, very tourist-friendly, which yes, sometimes means that you have to go out of your way to find a truly authentic local experience, but it also means that even the cheapest package deals will ensure you have an amazing time.
If you do want somewhere a little different from the laid-back resort experience while you’re on Viti Levu, take a bus around to Suva. This bustling city might not be large on a global scale, but it’s the largest city in the tropical South Pacific, and it’s home to people from all kinds of walks of life – from students of the University of the South Pacific to businessmen meeting up for coffee, one in a suit and one in a traditional sulu or wrap skirt.
The Gold Coast is a hugely popular spot for New Zealanders – families and solo travellers alike, as well as a large population of former Kiwis who now call the city home. Known as the ‘GC’ to locals, this stretch of Queensland coast is just as beautiful as it is action-packed! And action is certainly something that the GC knows how to do, with Australia’s biggest theme parks all found in and around the city.
Dreamworld, Movie World, Sea World and Wet’n’Wild are all places every school-aged New Zealander hoped would be on their next family trip. We just don’t get theme parks of that size on this side of the Tasman Sea – but on the Gold Coast, they are the experts. Movie World, Sea World and Wet’n’Wild are all owned by the same company, so you can even get a pass that lets you into all three of them – but Dreamworld is the biggest of all, so you’ll want to make sure you head there too if you want the adrenaline rush!
But outside of the theme parks, the best part of the Gold Coast is right there in its name – the coast. Think wide beaches with beautiful golden sand and great surf conditions. While not as hot as spots further up the Queensland coast like Cairns, the GC has a lovely subtropical climate, with most winter days still in the high teens or early twenties for temperature.
If you can handle the tropical heat and you want to see the biggest natural wonder of the world, Cairns is a must. Around 1700 kilometres north of the Gold Coast, Cairns is proper tropical wonderland, and is considered to be the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
Cairns has a tropical monsoon climate, but the Southern Hemisphere winter is in the dry season, so while you might experience an occasional shower, you won’t have to deal with serious heavy monsoon rains if you’re visiting in winter. So bring your favourite summery clothing and enjoy your winter away!
There are many tours out to the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns, from multi-day voyages to day-trips in glass-bottomed boats. Be sure to pick a well-reviewed tour provider, though – tourism has an impact on the reef, so you want to make sure that you go with a company that is responsible. After all, you don’t want to visit once, fall in love, and not be able to visit again in ten years because irresponsible tourism has ruined the reef for everyone.
But you don’t have to be keen on the ocean to have an amazing time in Cairns. If you’re more interested in jungle and forests, the Wet Tropics of Queensland are right nearby. This tropical forest is full of all kinds of unique plant life, with many species not found anywhere else in the world. It’s the perfect adventure for any budding botanist.
The Cook Islands, or Kuki Airani as they’re known in the local language, are a group of fifteen small islands. While they are spread across over two million square kilometres of ocean, the total land area of the islands is less than 250 square kilometres.
The Cook Islands is a ‘self-governing country in free association with New Zealand’. The main thing this means for most Cook Islanders is that they are New Zealand citizens, and the main thing this means for most visitors from New Zealand is that it’s easy to visit because they use the New Zealand dollar.
Rarotonga is the largest of the islands and home of the capital ‘city’, Avarua. This small volcanic island is surrounded by a lagoon reaching out to coral reef – making it perfect for swimming and snorkelling. The green mountain and the blue ocean, with the white sands in between... it’s really an incredible place – so it’s no wonder most tourists arrive in Raro and stay there!
But other islands in the group are beautiful spots to visit too. Aitutaki has one of the most stunning lagoons you could imagine, all light blue water and white. Or for somewhere completely different, visit Mangaia, an island with fascinating geography from coral terraces to underground caves as well as some of the best coconuts around. Geologists estimate that Mangaia is at least 18 million years old – which makes it the oldest island in the Pacific!
Looking for the unexpected? Vanuatu is the place to go. While we are familiar with a lot of Polynesian culture here in New Zealand, Melanesian cultures like those in Vanuatu’s islands is less familiar – making a trip here a little more mysterious for travellers from New Zealand. But with places like Champagne Beach and the Mele Cascades to enjoy and explore, you’ll soon be wishing you could stay forever.
The place you really can’t miss out on, though, is the Millennium Cave, on the island of Espiritu Santo. This is Vanuatu’s largest cave, and a visit here is something you’ll remember forever. Travel through tropical forest, clamber over boulders and rocks and end it all with a refreshing swim in the river. A final climb to Funaspef Village, where the tour begins, is well worth the effort, with fresh tropical fruit and local coffee ready and waiting for you.
While in many Pacific nations there may be one main local language – Samoan, Cook Island Māori, Tongan – in Vanuatu, as in other parts of Melanesia, there are many different local languages, over one hundred, in fact!
So instead of learning your equivalent of Talofa lava, Kia orana or Malo leilei, you’ll want to look at learning a few Bislama phrases. Bislama is a creole language that’s related to Tok Pisin from Papua New Guinea and Pijin from the Solomon Islands, and it blends English-based words with Melanesian grammar and pronunciation. So instead of Hello and Thank you, you would say Halo and Tangkiu.
The local tourist organisation brands itself as ‘Beautiful Samoa’, and it’s a very accurate name. Halfway between New Zealand and Hawaiʻi, Samoa is made up of 10 islands, but the main two are Savaiʻi and Upolu.
While Upolu is where most tourists arrive and spend their time, Savaiʻi is a nature fan’s dream, full of everything from rainforests to lava fields to beautiful local birds and creatures. It’s also on the large side, compared to many of the other island groups in Polynesia – in fact, after the North Island and South Island, and Hawaiʻi’s ‘Big Island’ and Maui, it’s the next largest island in Polynesia! Don’t miss the amazing Alofaaga Blowholes on the coastline and the picturesque Afu Aau Falls, where you’ll want to grab a photo as well as go for a swim.
But if you like your tropical holidays to have a bit more people power, Upolu is the place for you. It’s where you’ll find the nation’s capital city, Apia, and you’ll have the chance to get to know the island vibe and more importantly, learn about Faʻa Samoa – the Samoan way of life. Get up early and check out the amazing markets – you’ll need to be early to get the best fruit of the day, then enjoy your day of getting to know the island and its beauty. But save enough energy for the evening – Apia’s nightlife is spectacular too!
Tropical vacations aren’t only for people who feel like lying in the sand sipping a coconut. No matter what sort of a holiday you enjoy, if you want to head somewhere warm this winter, the South Pacific is ready to welcome you with open arms.
InsurancesafeNZ Medical and Travel Insurance is issued and managed by AWP Services New Zealand Limited trading as Allianz Partners (NZBN 9429035270157) under binder with and on behalf of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company, Limited (NZBN 9429039809810, FSP Number 20661) (Incorporated in Japan) as the underwriter.
You should read the Policy Wording and consider obtaining independent legal or financial advice before making any decisions about this insurance. Terms, conditions, limits, sub-limits and exclusions apply.
Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company, Limited - Financial Strength Rating.
Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company, Limited has a financial strength rating of A+ (Stable) given by S&P Global Ratings. The S&P Global rating scale* in summary form is:
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Further information on the S&P Global ratings is available here: https://www.spglobal.com/ratings/en/products-benefits/products/financial-strength-rating.
