A Practical Guide for Digital Nomads, Remote Workers & Working Holiday Makers
Welcome to New Zealand / Aotearoa — land of rugged coastlines, world-class flat whites, and some of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth. Whether you’re here for a few months or planning to settle in for a while, this guide is your no-fluff starting point to living and working remotely in New Zealand.
From SIM cards and bank accounts to the best places to base yourself — here’s what you need to know first.
📍 Where to Land: Best Cities for Remote Workers
Depending on your work style, budget, and vibe, these are the most popular cities among digital nomads and remote freelancers:
- Auckland: The largest city with the most coworking spaces, networking events, and direct international flights. Great for tech, business, and agency workers. Higher cost of living.
- Wellington: Compact, creative, and walkable. Known for its arts, coffee scene and reliable internet.
- Christchurch: A growing tech and innovation hub, especially if you want to base yourself near the South Island’s natural wonders.
- Queenstown: Expensive, but scenic. Ideal for those who want to blend work and adventure.
- Tauranga & Mount Maunganui: Popular with surfers, startup folks and creatives seeking a slower pace.
📶 SIM Cards, Wi-Fi & Getting Online
Internet access in New Zealand is generally solid in urban areas — but patchy in rural zones. Here’s how to stay connected:
- Best SIM providers for nomads: Spark, 2degrees, Skinny and One NZ (formerly Vodafone) all offer prepaid options. One NZ has a great data coverage due to partnering with Starlink.
- Registration: You’ll need a passport to register your SIM in-store.
- eSIM options: Airalo or Holafly for instant setup.
- Wi-Fi tips: Free public Wi-Fi exists in libraries and shopping centres, but isn’t always reliable. Cafes and coworking spaces are a better bet. Not all cafes have wifi though so do not expect this.
💳 Banking & Money
Most nomads stick with Wise or Revolut for international transfers and multi-currency cards — especially since opening a NZ bank account can be tricky without proof of address.
- Wise: Great for getting paid or converting currencies.
- ATMs: Widely available, but some charge withdrawal fees.
- Tipping: Not customary — it’s optional in cafes/restaurants.
🏡 Accommodation & Housing
Finding medium-term accommodation can be challenging. Try:
- Short-term (1–3 weeks): Airbnb, Booking.com or Bachcare.
- Medium-term (1–3 months): Facebook groups (like Flatmates Wanted or NZ Backpacker Board) or agencies like The Stay Hub (Auckland/Wellington).
- Longer stays: Trademe.co.nz
✈️ Visa Basics
New Zealand currently doesn’t offer a dedicated digital nomad visa, but:
- Working Holiday Visas (WHV): Popular with under 35s from eligible countries.
- Tourist Visas: Typically up to 3 months — not suitable for remote work, technically.
- Partnership & skilled work visas: Available if you meet eligibility.
📄 Always check the latest info on Immigration NZ.
🧠 Cultural Quick Tips
- Kiwis are chill, but value punctuality.
- “Yeah nah” means no. “Nah yeah” means yes. (You’ll get used to it.)
- Recycle and composting are taken seriously.
- Don’t compare NZ to Australia – they’re different countries with different cultures.
Ready to Explore?
- 🧳 Plan your journey → How to Pack for NZ: Nomad Essentials
