INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS STUDYING IN NEW ZEALAND

Click on each of these links for general information on:

• Immigration
• Insurance
• Healthcare
• Alcohol, tobacco and drugs
• Driving and bicycles
• Accommodation

IMMIGRATION

Full details of visa and permit requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying, and reporting requirements are available through the New Zealand Immigration Service, and can be viewed on their website at www.immigration.govt.nz.

COMPULSORY MEDICAL AND TRAVEL INSURANCE

All international students studying in New Zealand are required to have appropriate insurance cover for the length of study in New Zealand.  The Code of Practice is very specific about what students should be covered for while they are in New Zealand.  The benefits that a policy must include can be viewed on the Ministry of Education website www.moh.govt.nz.  Many insurance policies purchased overseas do not meet the New Zealand Codes requirements, so please check the information on the website very carefully before purchasing insurance in your home country.  We will be happy to help you purchase appropriate cover in New Zealand, but note that this should be set up BEFORE you leave home.

HEALTHCARE

Note :

Tap water in New Zealand is clean and safe to drink.
The New Zealand sun is very fierce.  Wear a hat and sunscreen even on a cloudy day.

ELIGIBILITY FOR HEALTH SERVICES

If you do not belong to one of these special categories and you receive medical treatment during your visit, you may be liable for the full costs of that treatment.  Full details on entitlements to publicly funded health services are available through the Ministry of Health, and can be viewed on their website at www.moh.govt.nz/eligibility.

EMERGENCY

Dial 111 (free from any phone) in any emergency and ask for:

• Ambulance
• Fire Service
• Police

SEXUAL HEALTH

For information on sexual health you can talk to :

PERSONAL

If you need to talk to someone about personal issues such as stress, depression, relationships, grief or other personal issues there is a list of available counselling services in the student handbook you receive at the start of your course.

The Human Rights Commission is available for all services relating to human rights issues such as discrimination and harassment:

ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND DRUGS

In New Zealand, alcohol and tobacco smoking are legal but regulated; you have to be 18 or over to purchase them, and there are rules about where and when you can and can't drink alcohol and smoke.

SMOKING

Smoking is not permitted in indoor public places, so it is illegal to smoke inside any clubs, bars, restaurants, theatre or public buildings. Smoking is permitted outdoors. Increasingly, smoking is unpopular with New Zealanders and some people find it offensive.  If you smoke in public areas, try and smoke in areas where your cigarette smoke will not bother other people.  At the Lotus Holistic Centre there is one designated outside area where smoking is permitted.  All other areas are smoke-free.

ALCOHOL

It is illegal to drink alcohol and drive. In some cities it's illegal to drink alcohol in public places, such as the streets or parks, and many have alcohol bans over the New Year period when lots of people go out to celebrate.

You can buy alcohol in liquor stores and licensed beer and wine stores, including supermarkets (although you cannot buy spirits at supermarkets). Alcohol is also sold in some convenience stores (e.g. dairies or petrol stations) but not from vending machines.

Although alcohol is widely consumed at social events in New Zealand, it's just as acceptable and quite normal not to drink alcohol. The choice is yours and if you choose to drink, you should do so responsibly (e.g. not drinking and then driving or hurting anyone).

In New Zealand there have been a few cases of 'drinks spiking', where someone adds a tasteless, odourless and colourless drug to your drink without you knowing. This can happen in bars, clubs or pubs. These drugs are extremely dangerous and leave people with little or no memory of what has happened to them. To avoid this, you should always watch your drink being poured (alcoholic or not) and keep an eye on it at all times. Avoid taking drinks from people you don't know. If you feel dizzy or uncomfortable after you have a drink, try and tell a friend to keep an eye on you. If you think this happened to you, go to a doctor or your health service provider immediately.

DRUGS

Illegal drugs include marijuana, 'magic mushrooms', LSD, ecstasy, methamphetamines, cocaine and heroin. Possession of any of these drugs is against the law and carries a penalty that may include prison.

Marijuana and magic mushrooms can be baked into chocolates, cookies or cakes. If you are offered these foods at a party, ask what's inside just in case. Ecstasy or 'e' comes as a capsule with brownish powder inside or as a pill, usually with a symbol like a heart or a happy face. You should refuse these drugs if they are offered to you. There are considerable risks in consuming them and they are illegal.

All drugs, while they may provide initial euphoric effects, can lead to impaired functioning that can interfere with the intellectual capacity to study, development of healthy relationships, and can lead to serious health consequences.

18+ CARD (EVIDENCE OF AGE)

The minimum legal drinking age in New Zealand is 18 years. If young people wish to purchase alcohol or get into licensed premises they need to provide photographic proof of age.

The acceptable forms of ID are a New Zealand or overseas passport, a photographic New Zealand driver licence or a HANZ 18+ card. If you haven't upgraded to a photo driver licence, it will be cheaper for you to upgrade early instead of getting an 18+ card now and the driver licence later.

You can get an application form for an 18+ card from http://www.hanz.org.nz/index.cfm/18_plus_cards or pick one up at a New Zealand Post Shop. The card will cost you NZ$20. You will need to fill out a statutory declaration and provide certain documents to prove you are over 18 years of age and that you are who you say you are.

ALCOHOL AND DRUG HELP LINES

There are a number of places where you can go for help if you or someone you know needs help with alcohol or drugs.  Contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau and they will refer you to a service that can assist you.  You will find your local Citizens Advice Bureau in the phone book, or HERE. Or call them on their free phone number 0800 367 222.  Some Citizens Advice Bureaux have interpreters to help non-native English speakers.

DRIVING

You can drive for one year in New Zealand for ONE year if you have a drivers licence from your home country.  If you intend to stay for longer than twelve months we recommend that you begin the process to get a New Zealand Driver Licence as soon as possible.  Go to the local AA (Automobile Association) office or see http://www.nzta.govt.nz/licence/.

Remember :

• Always wear a seatbelt.
• Drive on the LEFT
• Always carry your drivers licence with you when driving
• Know the New Zealand Road Code
• Never drive after drinking alcohol.

BICYCLES

Cycling is a good way to get around Hastings as it is so flat.

Remember :

• Wear a safety-approved helmet at all times
• Have rear reflector and yellow pedal reflectors on your bicycle
• Have a forward facing white light and rear facing red light if cycling at night
• Know the New Zealand Road Code and follow the rules.

ACCIDENT INSURANCE

The Accident Compensation Corporation provides accident insurance for all New Zealand citizens, residents and temporary visitors to New Zealand, but you may still be liable for all other medical and related costs.  Further information can be viewed on the ACC website at www.acc.co.nz

ACCOMMODATION

The Lotus Holistic Centre does not provide accommodation for students. Most students from out of town either find a flat on their own, find a space as a flatmate in an already established flat, find private board living in a house with meals provided, or live in a hostel.  Flats in New Zealand are usually rented unfurnished, with only curtains, light fittings and a cooker provided.  Private board usually offers a room which is fully furnished, including bedding and linen.  Prices range from as little as $80.00 NZD per week to $180.00 NZD per week for a one-bedroom unfurnished flat.  Although we have no formal accommodation service, we assist students in every possible way to find suitable accommodation.  Often this can happen within our network of past and current students.  The person to contact with accommodation queries is Alison Grace - Alison@lotusmassage.co.nz