Discover Auckland: 6-Month New Zealand WHV Living Experience Guide

From landing at the end of August, I can hardly believe that half a year has already flown by. During this time, I’ve been living in Auckland City, and it’s turned out to be quite different from what I initially imagined. Let me share my experiences over these six months from various aspects.

🏠 **Accommodation**: Since arriving in Auckland, I’ve lived in three different places. The first was an Airbnb in North Shore for about two weeks. The second and third were both located near the city center. I found all my accommodations through Xiaohongshu, and I had the pleasure of meeting some incredibly kind landlords along the way.

🚗 **Transportation**: I bought a car, but I don’t drive it as much as I thought I would. I mainly used it when I worked at a cafe and when going out with friends. My primary mode of transportation is still the bus, and I usually top up my weekly bus card with around 30 NZD, which covers most of my travel needs.

💼 **Work**: In Auckland, I’ve held two jobs. My main source of income, which covered my basic living expenses, came from working at Weta Workshop. In between, I worked at a cafe for two months, which was very tiring and not a great experience, but it was also a valuable life lesson. Occasionally, I also earned some extra money from online classes back in China, which I generally used to pay for rent.

🍽️ **Food**: Most of my meals were at the staff canteen at SKYCITY, which was a huge cost-saver. I didn’t cook as often as I planned, and sometimes I treated myself to dining out at local eateries.

💰 **Finances**: I haven’t managed to save any money; all the earnings went towards daily living, entertainment, and occasionally buying things I love. It’s been a balance of enjoying the moment and managing my finances.

✨ **Gains and Reflections**: The most significant gains from these six months are the unforgettable memories with tourists from all over the world, a noticeable improvement in my spoken language, and personal growth. I’ve also gained more insights into life and the unexpected turns it can take. With about another six months left on my visa, I’m excited to see what new experiences the next half of the year will bring. Life is full of surprises, and you can never predict where it will lead you.