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).
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
Keeping mentally well is important to make the most of your study adventure.
While studying away from home is an exciting life experience, there are times you may feel overwhelmed or experience loneliness, stress, anxiety and depression.
During these challenging times, it’s important to recognise the pressures you may be under, whether it’s adjusting to a new environment or the added load of assignments and exams.
If you need professional help, you can feel assured knowi
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.
Any new culture will have customs that you will start to learn very quickly as soon as you arrive! To give you a head start on your time in New Zealand, we’ve got a few key bits of information about Kiwi culture – and a whole lot of detail about speaking like a local!
When you’re walking the streets of New Zealand – or even when you’re still at the airport and navigating escalators – it’s good to remember that we drive on the left, not the righ
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
Everyone experiences periods of stress in certain situations – perhaps exams are coming up, or you’ve spent a little more than you intended to at dinner and pay day is still a couple of days away. That’s a normal part of life, and most of the time, it goes away fairly quickly when the source of the stress comes and goes. You pass your exam, you check your bank account and ther
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.
Ask any adult what their student years were like, and there will almost always be two things that everyone has in common – lots of fun, and hardly any money! But if you’re new to a city or even a country, it can be hard to know where to begin when it comes to finding social activities that you can do on a student budget.
To help you out, we’ve rounded up some of our top tips for free and cheap things to do in New Zealand’s main student cities and towns to get you started!
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 away from your family and community that feeling of homesickness can feel very overwhelming. Making friends and keeping busy are the easiest ways to prevent homesickness – but you need to put the effort in. If you sit at your computer looking over your soci
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
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
No matter where you go in the world, someone will tell you to keep safe and often there’s a good reason for it. When travelling or moving somewhere new it can be tempting to step outside of your comfort zone and give everything a go. While this is a great attitude it’s important to explore your new surrou
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
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
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 a first-time flier, air travel is never very comfortable (unless you’re lucky to enough to travel business or first class!). Delays, cramped spaces, chilly air conditioning and less-than-tasty airline food are enough to frustrate even the most hardened travellers.
However, there are a number of things you can pack to make your flight as easy and comfortable as possible. When flying, your hand luggage will be your best friend – most airlines allow 7kgs of hand luggage which may not seem much but actually allows for quite a lot, so make the most of it.
Pack your phone charger, a spare pair of socks, some underwear and a clean shirt, just in case your flight is delayed or there is a problem with your checked-in luggage. These won’t take up much space and you’ll be thankful for them if you or your luggage is delayed and you need get in contact with friends or relatives. Likewise, a small packet of baby wipes can really help if you’re unable to have a proper shower. Being able to give your hands and face a wipe will help you to feel comfortable and refreshed. If you don’t use them on the plane, hold on to them – they’re invaluable for cleaning up when travelling!
Unless you’re travelling for business there’s no real need for you to look good (bearing in mind that after a long-haul flight you probably won’t end up looking good anyway!). Ditch the looks and go for maximum comfort instead. Don’t wear your pyjamas – you’re in public so you still want to look tidy – but you’ll thank yourself for wearing comfortable, non-restrictive clothing that you can sleep, stretch and curl up in if you need to.
A pair of loose-fitting pants will be nice and comfortable, especially as you’ll have to remain in your seat for a long time. Some people prefer close-fitting, but stretchy clothing like sportswear restricts airflow to the body which can leave you feeling sweaty and clammy.
All planes are temperature-controlled and air conditioned. Even if it’s warm when you leave the airport the temperature inside the plane is likely to drop over the course of the flight. Not all airlines will provide blankets so avoid a chill by packing something warm. Lightweight, easily foldable layers are great – go for lightweight jumpers, cardigans or scarves over bulky jackets.
It’s also worth considering your footwear. You’ll need to wear shoes on and off the plane but once you’re in your seat you might find it more comfortable to slip your shoes off (especially if you like to sit with your legs folded) so go for shoes without any smell that you can take off and put on easily.
Being stuck inside an air conditioned plane for hours can wreak havoc on your skin, drying it out and leaving you feeling itchy and uncomfortable. Look after your skin by packing a small container of non-oily moisturiser (most airlines will allow containers of up to 100mls) and a lip balm. It’s also best to avoid wearing contact lenses if possible as air conditioning can really dry your eyes out. Opt for glasses instead if you can and if you must wear contacts or are prone to dry eyes make sure you pack a bottle of eye drops too. Make sure you pack all skincare, cosmetics and makeup in a clear zip-lock bag so you don’t have anything confiscated when passing through security.
A wrap-around neck pillow is the mark of the traveller – they might look silly, but they make for a much more comfortable in-flight snooze. Neck pillows are lightweight and many can clip to your bag so don’t take up any additional space. You can use them around the back of your neck to rest your head back or to the side or if your head slumps forward when you’re trying to sleep, turn it to the front like a necklace to keep your head still and provide support.
While not everyone finds them comfortable ear plugs and eye masks can help you get to sleep much more easily. Ear plugs in particular take some getting used to so if you haven’t used them before but want to on the plane try them out for a few nights prior to flying so you know what to expect. You’ll sleep much better for it and arrive refreshed!
Beating the boredom
The novelty of even the best in-flight entertainment wears off after a while so pack a few things to keep yourself entertained. While most airlines will offer films and TV shows on a screen in the back of the seat in front of you, not all do. Virgin Australia, for example, provides in-flight entertainment via an app that passengers download prior to flying and can then use on their own mobile phone or tablet.
Do some research beforehand to see what entertainment the airline you’re flying with provides. You’ll want to be able to set yourself up so that you don’t have to hold up your mobile phone or tablet to watch a film or TV which can become very uncomfortable after a little while. A zip-lock bag big enough to hold your device with a hole cut in the corner, creates an instant TV stand. Put your device inside the bag, smooth out any crinkles, seal the bag and clip it to the upright tray table in the seat in front of you. Then slot your headphones through the hole into the corner and plug them in – voila! A hands-free set!
Books are another great way to pass the time. If you have a really long flight, you might want to consider bringing two – one that really interests you and will help to pass the time and one that’s a bit boring which might help you drop off to sleep. See if you can pack some old paperbacks that you won’t miss much if you have to leave them behind. Or invest in an e-reader and download a few books before you set off on your adventure.
In your luggage
Once you’ve made it to your destination, what you pack can have a huge effect on your comfort and enjoyment of your trip. The key is to be prepared for any situation and pack things that are versatile and easy to transport.
Do some research into the climate you’re entering as this will determine what you will want to wear. Some climates like New Zealand’s, can change rapidly so even if the area you’re going to is usually warm it’s worth packing things that can be layered in case the weather changes unexpectedly. A lightweight raincoat is likely to come in handy as will a sunhat and a scarf or shawl that you can stuff in a bag and wrap around yourself if the weather cools down. As with books, go for old clothes that you won’t be upset to lose or damage. It’s common for travellers to leave behind bits and pieces that take up unnecessary space and when you look back on your trip you’ll remember the sights you saw and the experiences you created not what you looked like.
Regardless of the rest of the clothing you pack, pay attention to your footwear. No matter where you’re going you’re likely to be spending a long time on your feet so make sure you pack a pair of good quality shoes that are comfortable to walk in and support your ankles. A thin pair of sandals or flip flops are also good to slip into your luggage – they’re quick and easy to slide on and off and can save you from a number of nasties in backpackers or hostel bathrooms!
One thing no traveller should be without is a good quality sunblock. In New Zealand especially, the sun is extremely strong, and you can burn even if you’re only out for a short time or it’s cloudy. Pack a sunblock with a high SPF factor (we suggest 30+) and smooth a layer on before heading outside. Allow time for it to fully absorb before putting clothes on over top or applying makeup and make sure you reapply after swimming or sweating.
Hand sanitiser is also invaluable – being exposed to new bacteria that’re different from those in your home country means it’s easy for travellers to get sick, even from things that locals aren’t affected by. Keep a small bottle in your bag and apply before eating or touching your face, after using the bathroom or petting animals. In a pinch, hand sanitiser can also be used as deodorant as it kills odour-creating bacteria that live in the underarms!
Do some research before leaving, so you know what you’re packing for and consider what kind of activities you’ll be doing while away. Where possible go for the practical over the pretty – you’ll be much more comfortable and will probably save money! Take things and clothing that will allow you to get by in any situation – letting you take advantage of opportunities that come your way – after all, spontaneity is one of the best things about being on the road!