students, workers & explorers going to New Zealand & travelling from New Zealand.
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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
Moving to a new country for work can be extremely challenging. Expatriates must navigate new languages, currencies, social practices and workplace cultures and also leave behind their families, friends and support networks which can be an extremely isolating experience. As an adult, making true, dependable friends can be difficult and many people who relocate for work can find themselves lonely and disconnected from their communities and those around them.
Considering how compact modern day life is with many people living in apartment buildings, townhouses and close together in residential streets your neighbours are a great place to start when developing your social networks. After all, they usually only live a few metres away! Our lives are often so busy we don't get to connect with the people who live close to us. This is especially true in big cities where everyone comes and goes at different times and new neighbours move in and out often.
Before the internet and social media took over much of our socialising many people were extremely close with their neighbours. These days our modern, ever-changing society means life is divided for many of us. While we’re able to keep in touch with friends and family worldwide with a click of a mouse many of us don’t know or interact with those living closest to us.
Why be neighbourly?
Research has shown that getting to know your neighbours can help reduce many social issues affecting communities today such as social isolation, depression and substance abuse. For expatriates it’s even more important as moving to a new country often means leaving behind your support networks and making huge changes to your lifestyle.
Getting to know your neighbours is a great way to connect with your community and develop your sense of place, belonging and shared identity in your local area. Knowing your neighbours will help you to feel safe and “at home”, strengthen connections, build trust in your community and contribute to a happier neighbourhood for everyone.
If you need a favour or help during an event like a natural disaster your neighbours are closest so it makes sense that they will be your first point of contact. Knowing your neighbours and having their support makes for a more positive experience when you’re at home. They are also a great resource to have close by when you need help, support or just a friendly chat.
Connecting with your neighbours makes neighbourhoods more friendly, fun and safe, enhancing the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities within them. The Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand is a charity that works towards creating a society where everyone enjoys positive mental health and wellbeing. Its research shows that getting to know your neighbours impacts extremely positively on an individual’s mental health and social connectedness. It also helps communities to feel safer and increases resilience.
“We can all make an effort to connect with our local communities,” says Mental Health Foundation Chief Executive Judi Clements. “Connected communities aren’t just stronger and more resilient; they’re healthier – mentally and physically.”
Taking the first step
So how do you get to know your neighbours? You don't have to make big gestures – small things can make a difference too. While it might seem daunting getting to know your neighbours, just start with taking the first step – saying hello. It might take a bit of confidence but the benefits will definitely pay off and the more you connect with people, the easier it becomes!
Here are some ideas to help get you started:
As you can see, there are plenty of things you can to do make an initial connection with your neighbours. “The important thing is that you get out and say hello, whether that means meeting them for the first time or getting to know them better” says Neighbours Day Aotearoa project manager Ashlee Gross. “Feedback from previous Neighbours Day events has shown us that once people take the initial step, they are likely to continue connecting with their neighbours.”
People who practice neighbourliness year round contribute to stronger, healthier and more resilient communities and feel happier and healthier within them. Once you’ve met your neighbours, fostering the connection is easy.
You can invite them over for a hot drink or a meal (especially fun if you can share a delicious recipe from home!). You can also do things like organise a walking group or book club for your street. Do your neighbours have pets? How about organising a dog’s day out at the beach or a walk to your local park, walkway or waterfront? When the weather is nice, picnics, games and sports at your local park are a great way to get outside and enjoy each other’s company. Organising play dates for kids are fun for little ones and adults alike! Street parties and BBQs are also a great way to meet neighbours a little further afield and share something delicious.
No matter where you live; an apartment, a town house, in a residential suburb or rurally, your neighbours are a great resource and you can be a great resource to them too! It might seem strange getting to know them at first, but once you’ve connected with your neighbours you’ll find your home environment a much more comfortable and happy place to be. Getting to know your neighbours will help you become more familiar with your local area – they’ll be able to share tips and insights into living well in your community and getting the most from the area, like where to get the best coffee or which playgrounds are best for kids.