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
In general, the younger your children are the easier it will be for them to pick up a foreign language. However, if your children are older, learning a new language may be more difficult for them. They will be joining school at an age where they are expected to participate fully in class and attain a high academic standard. In short, older children will be required to master a new language more quickly.
Ideally you should begin learning a foreign language with your children before you leave your home country. Both you and your children will be better prepared for the initial challenges you will face in your new country and will find it easier to adjust to moving overseas and settle in faster, if you can attempt conversing in the language of your host country.
Begin by practicing common phrases with your children, use a phrasebook or picture dictionary. Read children's books and comic books in the foreign language, many expat parents find using school books in your new language, which are aimed at four to eight year olds, an excellent aid to getting a basic grasp of the language.
Use this as an opportunity to learn the language alongside your child, if your child hears you speaking the new language, they will be more willing to learn it too.
If you intend staying in your host country for a long period of time, be aware that your children’s language skills may quickly outpace your own. This can lead [k1] and frustration with everyday activities such as homework, so it is vital that expat parents be as invested in learning the language of their host country as their children are.
Although private language lessons may be expensive, they are a sound investment as intensive one to one learning can result in you and your children mastering a foreign language much more quickly. Receiving tuition as a family will allow you to practice your new language skills in a ‘safe’ environment, where you will feel less self-conscious about making mistakes.
If you began your private lessons before leaving your home country, continue them when you settle in your new destination. Sign up for language classes in your new country, as these will provide an excellent source for meeting people in the same situation as you, with whom you can practice your developing language skills.
Continue this learning at home with the assistance of language DVDs and audio books. Watch your children’s favourite movies in the foreign language, you and your children will already be familiar with the story and will therefore understand the context, but you will be absorbing the movie in the language of your host country.
Your local library in your new destination will be an excellent source for movies and audio books.
Choosing the right school for expat children is a big decision, particularly if the education system and syllabus is unfamiliar. Older children in particular may find the transition into their new school difficult, with language barriers presenting one of their greatest challenges.
Consider an international school, where the teachers will be more aware of integration issues expat children will face, and the pupils will be familiar with your child’s experience and background.
For younger children there will be various playschool, nursery and Montessori options, where your children will quickly develop a foreign language. These children will have developed their fluency in the language of their host country sufficiently by the time they reach elementary school age, and will therefore be better equipped to join a local school.
Many expats will crave the familiarity of home, and may feel more comfortable spending a lot of their time with fellow expats. However, when it comes to learning the language of your host country, it will be more beneficial to immerse yourself in the local culture and form social bonds with the local population.
Forming friendships with native speakers and practicing your language skills with them, will help you to improve your fluency in a comfortable environment where you will be more inclined to take risks and less fearful of making mistakes.
Ensure that your children also participate in developing social connections with their peers. Arrange play dates where you encourage the children to converse with one another in their new language.
For many expats an issue arises when their child becomes so adept and proficient in their new language, that it becomes their core language and their skills in the language of their home country diminish.
Depending on how long you plan to stay in your host country, this may prove to be an issue. For expat children, conversations in their native language may be limited to phone calls to relatives at home, or routine conversations with you. They may have very little opportunity to practice reading or writing in their native language.
It is important to remain aware of this issue, and take remedial action if you feel your child’s native language skills are not as well developed as they should be.
Learning a foreign language can be one of the greatest assets your family will gain while living overseas, it also presents one of the greatest assets for you and your children in the long-term.
Take every opportunity to learn the language of your host country, be relaxed, make learning fun and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.