When comfort turns into luxury: Rent, food, travel
I never thought I would be second-guessing buying a packet of paneer in New Zealand. As an international student, the struggle is more than just juggling classes, it’s constantly trying not to spend money on takeaways, stretching the last bit of skincare products, and avoiding Ubers for even the simplest journeys, all in an effort to stretch every cent further.
I can’t help but wonder how I will manage my expenses next month. After paying $330 in rent at UniLodge, I still have to cover transport, phone bills, and everyday spending.
“I don’t think anyone doesn’t know that students are struggling,” the president of the Auckland University of Technology Student Association (AUTSA), James Portegys, said, as my peers and I discussed the rising cost of living for students in New Zealand.
“I just don’t think people realise the extent to which students are struggling,” he added.
Student associations are working on the issue this year, aiming to expand access to student allowances. That can be counted as relief. But for how long?
Food, once a comfort, now a luxury
The rising cost of groceries first hit me when I was buying ingredients for my comfort food - dosa batter. Being away from home, it was a small source of comfort. But that moment made it clear, shopping now has to be a careful, balancing act. When food becomes expensive, comfort turns into luxury. A luxury I now have to think about twice.
The other day, I noticed myself comparing prices, opting for a cheaper full cream milk over a more familiar brand. A 3-litre bottle of Anchor full cream milk, which cost around $7.55 earlier in 2024, is now selling for about $8.18.
Accommodation and limited support
While student accommodations like UniLodge provide convenience and security, rent can take up a large portion of a student’s budget, leaving little room for other expenses.
It is hard to ignore the limited support available to students like me, compared to domestic students.
International students pay significantly higher tuition fees, have limited access to scholarships, usually only in the first year, and are not eligible for government support such as StudyLink, which provides loans and allowances to domestic students.
That said, universities do offer some assistance. A minimum of $50 in hardship support or grocery vouchers is available through Tautoko services, although only for a limited period. Such initiatives can offer some relief.
A little support can go a long way. Within minutes at the checkout, after scanning just a few items, most of that $50 was already gone. Everyday essentials like laundry liquid, cleaning supplies, and basic groceries add up quickly.
A dozen eggs, which once cost around $6–7, now cost closer to $9. Even simple items like bread and tomatoes feel noticeably more expensive. For a brief moment, that support helps, but it also raises the question of how long it can last.
Although appreciated, such support is often not enough to ease the growing pressure of living costs for students.
The weight of it all
It begins to affect the overall experience. You start questioning why you are here, and whether it is all worth it.
It becomes harder to choose your priorities. Do you focus on your studies and experience life in a new country, or take on extra work just to stay financially stable?
Finding support in community
There are others around me going through similar struggles in different ways. While our experiences differ, we share a common reality.
Personally, finding a community has helped the most.
Joining university clubs, whether cultural, academic, or social, has given me the opportunity to connect with others, share experiences, and feel seen.
This has made life less daunting; Meeting like-minded people, attending events, or simply spending time together helps take the weight off constant financial pressure. It reminds me that I am not alone.
The friendships and connections I have built here have helped me feel at home, despite the challenges of being an international student. The support, the laughter, and the shared experiences make the struggle a little easier to carry.
Sometimes, that is all that matters.
Vidhhi Panchal a journalism student at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and Journalism.
I never thought I would be second-guessing buying a packet of paneer in New Zealand. As an international student, the struggle is more than just juggling classes, it’s constantly trying not to spend money on takeaways, stretching the last bit of skincare products, and avoiding Ubers for even the...
I never thought I would be second-guessing buying a packet of paneer in New Zealand. As an international student, the struggle is more than just juggling classes, it’s constantly trying not to spend money on takeaways, stretching the last bit of skincare products, and avoiding Ubers for even the simplest journeys, all in an effort to stretch every cent further.
I can’t help but wonder how I will manage my expenses next month. After paying $330 in rent at UniLodge, I still have to cover transport, phone bills, and everyday spending.
“I don’t think anyone doesn’t know that students are struggling,” the president of the Auckland University of Technology Student Association (AUTSA), James Portegys, said, as my peers and I discussed the rising cost of living for students in New Zealand.
“I just don’t think people realise the extent to which students are struggling,” he added.
Student associations are working on the issue this year, aiming to expand access to student allowances. That can be counted as relief. But for how long?
Food, once a comfort, now a luxury
The rising cost of groceries first hit me when I was buying ingredients for my comfort food - dosa batter. Being away from home, it was a small source of comfort. But that moment made it clear, shopping now has to be a careful, balancing act. When food becomes expensive, comfort turns into luxury. A luxury I now have to think about twice.
The other day, I noticed myself comparing prices, opting for a cheaper full cream milk over a more familiar brand. A 3-litre bottle of Anchor full cream milk, which cost around $7.55 earlier in 2024, is now selling for about $8.18.
Accommodation and limited support
While student accommodations like UniLodge provide convenience and security, rent can take up a large portion of a student’s budget, leaving little room for other expenses.
It is hard to ignore the limited support available to students like me, compared to domestic students.
International students pay significantly higher tuition fees, have limited access to scholarships, usually only in the first year, and are not eligible for government support such as StudyLink, which provides loans and allowances to domestic students.
That said, universities do offer some assistance. A minimum of $50 in hardship support or grocery vouchers is available through Tautoko services, although only for a limited period. Such initiatives can offer some relief.
A little support can go a long way. Within minutes at the checkout, after scanning just a few items, most of that $50 was already gone. Everyday essentials like laundry liquid, cleaning supplies, and basic groceries add up quickly.
A dozen eggs, which once cost around $6–7, now cost closer to $9. Even simple items like bread and tomatoes feel noticeably more expensive. For a brief moment, that support helps, but it also raises the question of how long it can last.
Although appreciated, such support is often not enough to ease the growing pressure of living costs for students.
The weight of it all
It begins to affect the overall experience. You start questioning why you are here, and whether it is all worth it.
It becomes harder to choose your priorities. Do you focus on your studies and experience life in a new country, or take on extra work just to stay financially stable?
Finding support in community
There are others around me going through similar struggles in different ways. While our experiences differ, we share a common reality.
Personally, finding a community has helped the most.
Joining university clubs, whether cultural, academic, or social, has given me the opportunity to connect with others, share experiences, and feel seen.
This has made life less daunting; Meeting like-minded people, attending events, or simply spending time together helps take the weight off constant financial pressure. It reminds me that I am not alone.
The friendships and connections I have built here have helped me feel at home, despite the challenges of being an international student. The support, the laughter, and the shared experiences make the struggle a little easier to carry.
Sometimes, that is all that matters.
Vidhhi Panchal a journalism student at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and Journalism.
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