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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
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!
If you’re an Auckland-based fan of arts and culture, Auckland Museum has free entry for people who live in Auckland so just make sure you and your friends have something that proves your address with you – whether it’s a power bill or just a library card! The museum itself is located in the beautiful grounds of Auckland Domain, just a short stroll away from the inner city.
You’ll find everything from our fascinating natural history to artefacts from different Pacific cultures to in-depth exhibitions on New Zealand’s military history. And the view from the front steps of the Museum is stunning – you’ll see all across the Waitamatā Harbour and the city skyline and beyond! After a trek through history, you’ll want to stay in the Domain a little longer to visit The Wintergardens – two beautiful historical greenhouses and a lush fern forest.
For something that requires a little less walking but plenty of cool atmosphere, each summer there is are free movie nights at Silo Park on Auckland’s waterfront! Get in early for the best spots and beanbags, and bring a blanket and some friends to settle in for a night of free entertainment in one of the coolest corners of the Auckland CBD! If you’ve budgeted for it, you can get a great dinner from the food trucks that pull up alongside the cinema set-up.
Further down State Highway 1 in Hamilton, students at the University of Waikato have some awesome opportunities right on their doorstep. People from outside of the Waikato make a lot of fun of Hamilton, but they don’t know what they’re missing out on. Take some mates with you and get exploring! The beautiful Hamilton Gardens are free to enter, and with a range of different themed gardens to wander through, you’re in for a treat!
Waikato Museum might not have the famous reputation that Auckland Museum or Te Papa in Wellington have, but it’s a must visit for anyone interested in Māori culture. There’s great historical material as well as some spectacular contemporary Māori art. If you have some friends who are fellow international students, why not go together and learn more about the first people who called this country home?
Students at Victoria University or one of the many other tertiary institutions in Wellington probably have more options than anyone else! As well as being the country’s capital, Wellington is really its creative hub too. A visit to Te Papa is essential for anyone visiting or staying in the city. It’s the national museum of New Zealand, and contains incredible natural history exhibitions as well as another amazing array of Māori and Pacific cultural materials and objects. It’s also home to Toi Art, the national art collection – not to mention all kinds of exciting travelling exhibitions from overseas.
Just along the waterfront from Te Papa is Wellington Museum, which focuses on the city itself and its surrounding land and ocean. It’s a delight to visit – in fact, The Times UK ranked in among the Top 50 Museums in the World. Or for something both cultural and political, take a tour of New Zealand’s Parliament, which provides plenty of political learning as well as information about the buildings themselves, including the iconic Beehive.
Christchurch is most famous these days for the devastating earthquakes that hit the South Island city in 2010 and 2011. But those earthquakes have caused an amazing renewal of the city and its culture, with all kinds of innovative and interesting things happening as buildings and places are reconstructed. Sometimes it seems as though there’s something different to visit or look at every few weeks! But for something that’s dependably there and full of amazing things to look at, Christchurch Art Gallery has free entry and contains a range of art from different eras of New Zealand.
Part of the scarfie world at the University of Otago? The Dunedin Street Art trail is a cool way to explore different parts of the city with your friends while looking at some amazing murals and graffiti art. Dunedin’s also New Zealand’s only official UNESCO City of Literature, so if you are keen on reading, have a look at the different places worth visiting with your book-crazy friends!
For culture fans across the country, if you’re after something in the evenings, why not keep an eye out for art gallery openings and book launches? These will usually be open to the public, and will give you a chance to mingle with people who you share an interest with and learn about something new. And usually there’s snacks and drinks too – win! If you’re a book fan, check out the calendar on the New Zealand Book Council website and artsdiary.co.nz has some great information about upcoming exhibitions for those of you more into painting and sculpture.
Feeling active? There are a number of amazing walking opportunities around all of New Zealand’s cities. With two coastlines – one on the Pacific Ocean, one on the Tasman Sea – as well as 53 volcanic cones and beautiful bushland and the borders, Auckland really gives you plenty of ways to get up close and personal with nature!
If you’re not sure where to start, or your friends aren’t as excited about your adventures as you are, there are plenty of groups to join in with. For something nice and central, check out Walk Fit Club, a free group that welcomes all kinds of people and is based at One Tree Hill/Maungakiekie. Or check out the popular meetup.com group Auckland Hiking Group, which is free to join and has frequent adventures.
If your idea of getting active is more about working up a sweat while dancing the night away, there’s a slightly different way to do that in Auckland – without spending up large on cover charges and drinks! Sure, there’s plenty of clubs for nights out, if that’s your thing – but how about a morning rave? Morning People is a super fun organisation who run morning dance parties every Wednesday morning!
Operating with the tag line #partyfirstworklater, these raves start at 6:30am and end by 8am. They are alcohol and drug free – instead, your $15 entry fee includes plenty of great coffee, cold juice and fresh fruit as well as awesome beats. Sounds like a lot more fun than a treadmill routine before work! The same group runs the same kind of session in Wellington slightly less frequently – check the website for details.
If you’re keen on biking and have your own gear, there are heaps of wonderful cycleways around Hamilton and the wider Waikato region! With the Waikato River running through the wide flat plains of the area, you’ll have plenty of options with gorgeous views to check out while you get that heart rate up.
Continuing down the country, Wellington, like Auckland, has quite the hilly reputation. But unlike most of Auckland’s volcanic cones, which are mostly quite bare apart from a few trees and maybe some grazing animals, Wellingtons hills have taller ridges, often totally covered in forest. Te Ahumairangi Hill rises up right behind the inner-city suburb of Thorndon, and it’s a beautiful little hike to the top – where you’ll get to see some amazing views of the Wellington Harbour.
There are also plenty of active meetup.com groups here too – WoRM aka The Wellington Running Meetup Group has over 2,300 members and has plenty of opportunities to join and meet like-minded runners while getting to know this wonderful capital city.
Of New Zealand’s three big cities, Christchurch is the famously flat one, with the Avon River flowing right through the centre of town. Hagley Park is a huge urban park and garden not too far from the University of Canterbury campus, perfect for a lunchtime walk or run. There are also some awesome beaches when the weather’s right (or if you’ve got a good enough wetsuit!). Spots like Sumner and New Brighton are easy to get to and offer awesome swimming and surfing.
Based in Dunedin and feeling competitive? The Dunedin Parkun is a 5-kilometre run held every Saturday morning at the Dunedin Botanic Garden – 8am in summer and 9am in winter, so don’t get your seasons mixed up! It’s free to participate, but you do need to register. And every week after the run itself, the organisers and plenty of runners meet up at the Croque-O-Dile café for a coffee and chat – the perfect way to bring together your fitness and socialising!
There’s many other options of course, but this should get you started. When in doubt, have a look on meetup.com or take a walk around the club stalls during your university’s orientation week – you may be surprised by the variety of interests that your fellow students may have!
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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