Cost of Living in Tokoroa New Zealand for International Students

Tokoroa is a town in the Waikato region of the North Island of New Zealand, with a population of about 14,500. It is located 30 km southwest of Rotorua, close to the foot of the Mamaku Ranges, and midway between Taupō and Hamilton on State Highway 1. Tokoroa is the heart of New Zealand’s forestry, timber, and paper industries, and also offers opportunities for farming, tourism, and education. In this blog, we will explore why Tokoroa New Zealand is a great destination for international students who want to study abroad in 2024, and what are the costs of living and studying in this town. Read on to find out!

Why Study in Tokoroa New Zealand?

Compared to New Zealand’s larger cities, Tokoroa has significantly lower tuition fees and living costs, making it a budget-friendly choice for international students. Apart from the low cost of living in Tokoroa New Zealand, here are some other reasons for students to choose this island town to study abroad in 2024:

1. The town is a portal to a wonderland of geysers, hot springs, and scenic mountain ranges. Talk about having a free natural spa to relax after a long week of classes!
2. Tokoroa is steeped in Maori traditions. Enjoy cultural experiences like haka performances, powhiri (welcome ceremonies), and visits to historic marae (meeting houses).
3. Tokoroa offers a welcoming and safe environment where you can easily connect with locals and fellow students, helping you blend in easily.

Also Read: Cost of Living in New Zealand

Cost of Living in Tokoroa, NZ

The cost of living in Tokoroa New Zealand is around NZ$1,500 – 2,000/month, relatively affordable compared to other major cities in the country. But it is still important to plan and budget carefully before moving to the town. The following table shows the average monthly cost of living in Tokoroa, NZ, for a single person in 2024:

Item	Cost (in NZD)
Rent (1 bedroom apartment outside of centre)	$1,000
Food (groceries and eating out)	$600
Entertainment (cinema, sports, etc.)	$200
Utilities and Bills (electricity, water, internet, phone, etc.)	$300
Transportation (public transport, taxi, etc.)	$100
Total	$2,200

Let’s dive deeper and explore these costs in detail one by one:

Accommodation

Given below are the different types of accommodation in Tokoroa New Zealand and their monthly rent for international students:

Type of Accommodation	Rent (in NZD)
Shared student flat	NZ$400-500/month
Studio apartment	NZ$600-700/month
Homestay	NZ$700-800/month

Food

Since cooking at home is a sure-shot way to reduce the cost of living, here are the prices of some essential grocery items available in Tokoroa New Zealand:

Grocery Item	Price
Rice (1 kg)	NZD 3.8
Eggs (12)	NZD 2.93
Orange (1 kg)	NZD 2.95
Apple (1 kg)	NZD 3.08
Sugar (1 kg)	NZD 3.41
Banana (1 dozen)	NZD 2.59
Flour (1 kg)	NZD 2.55
Tomato (1 kg)	NZD 4.87
Potato (1 kg)	NZD 2.18
Bottle of water (0.5 litre)	NZD 2.71
Beer (0.33 litre)	NZD 7.06
Coca/Pepsi (0.33 litre)	NZD 2.8
Milk (per litre)	NZD 2.01

If you don’t feel like cooking, you can always opt to eat out. A budget-friendly meal will cost you around NZD 10-15.

Also Read: Cost Of Studying In New Zealand: Key Details

Entertainment

Entertainment in Tokoroa New Zealand will cost you around NZ$100-200/month. Given below are some 

Mode of Entertainment	Cost
Movies	NZD 15-20/ticket
Museums/galleries	NZD 10-20/visit
Sports clubs/gyms	NZD 30-50/month
A Cup of Coffee (Regular) (Regular/Cup)	NZD 3.89

Utilities

Given below are the different types of utilities available in Tokoroa New Zealand and their monthly costs for international students:

Utility	Cost
Electricity	NZD 80-100/month
Water	NZD 30-40/month
Internet	NZD 50-80/month

Transportation

Transportation generally costs NZD 50-100/month in Tokoroa New Zealand, and given below are the different modes of transport available along with their monthly costs:

Mode of Transport	Cost
Bus pass	NZD 50/month
Bicycle (One-time cost)	NZD 200-300

Average Tuition Fees in Tokoroa

Here are some estimates of the average tuition fees in Tokoroa New Zealand for international students. Keep in mind that the tuition fees will vary depending on the program and institution:

Public Universities: NZD 20,000-30,000/year

Private Universities: NZD 25,000-40,000/year

Things to Consider Before Moving to Tokoroa

While studying in Tokoroa New Zealand can be a thrilling idea, you still need to make some practical considerations before actually moving there. Some of them are as follows:

1. Student job opportunities in Tokoroa might be scarce compared to bigger cities. Budget accordingly or consider online work options.
2. While buses are available, explore options like cycling or owning a car for greater convenience.
3. Tokoroa experiences mild winters and warm summers, but rain is frequent throughout the year. Be prepared for changeable weather.

Relevant Reads:

All You Need to Know About Internships in New Zealand	New Zealand VS USA: Which is the Better Option for Studying Abroad?
China vs New Zealand: Which is the Better Study-Abroad Destination in 2024?	Distance Learning from New Zealand: A Study Guide
Study in New Zealand: Immigration Authorities Approve IELTS One Skill Retake	Top Part-Time Jobs in New Zealand

FAQs

We hope that this blog gave you a complete insight into the overall living cost in Tokoroa New Zealand for international students. Stay tuned to Leverage Edu daily for more updates on student life abroad. Thank you for reading!