This is a guide to show you, comparatively speaking, the cost of living. UK figures were correct as of 2013.
| UK payments | New Zealand payments | |
| Mortgage: | £800-1100 / month interest rates dependent/ Mortgage insurance £77 /mth on top | Approx $1200 / month (same as the rent we paid on a smaller town house) includes insurance |
| Rates / Council tax | £140 per month | $988 approx per year (we are not on mains sewage or mains water, so its ½ the price of living in the city) |
| Phone / internet | £40 / month plus £23 for broadband / mth | $95 month including broadband |
| Mobile | £35 / month | Approx $20 / month |
| Gas | £50 / mth approx | No mains gas in NZ |
| Electric | $40 / mth approx | $150-$220 / mth depending on time of year |
| Petrol | Unleaded price currently $2:16 / litre | |
| MOT | Approx £40 / year | Called WOF:$55 / 6 mths |
| Road tax | Car size dependent up to £125 / 6 mths | Called registration: approx $220 per year |
| TV licence | £12 / mth | N/A |
| SKY | $51 / month | We haven’t bothered – just use freeview |
| Car insurance | £300 upwards / year depending on the car!! | £500 / year fully comp with no ‘no claims’ history. Car ins is not compulsory here |
| GP | Free. Prescription subsidised by NHS, for a set fee per item – £7.50 | $82 per visit initially, reducing to around $45 per visit after 6 months. All medication is paid for by you. |
| Dentist | Around £30 for initial visit | Fees are not subsidised at all by government. Basic consultation can cost around £120, before they do anything |
| Groceries | £80-120 per week, shopping in Asda | $180-200 per week, shopping seasonally, and shopping around |
Melanie Magowan 