ACCOMMODATION

All your accommodation on the Adventure Leader International experience througout New Zealand is provided for you.

Should you do one of our other programmes or travel independently before or after your training, here are some useful tips.

HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION

While most hostel stays are short term, you may also choose hostel accommodation until you get settled in a new town. Some hostels will have reduced weekly rates - generally in the off-season. Some hostels may even allow you to work for your accommodation instead of paying. Try www.ymcachch.org.nz or www.livingspace.net.nz

OTHER ACCOMMODATION

The best way to find long-term accommodation is through newspapers, university notice boards and notice boards in local shops and cafes. Your best option is to seek accommodation near your place of work. This will reduce the cost and time of travelling to and from work each day.

Shared accommodation is cheaper than renting something on your own. An advantage of this is that you will get to meet and live with some Kiwis. Financially you will probably be expected to share the cost of the electricity, gas, telephone rental and so on. When you move in you may be asked to pay two weeks rent as bond and your first two weeks rent. So you need to be prepared for a large initial outlay. The bond will be returned to you when you leave. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, most local and regional newspapers have listings for "flatmates wanted".

Boarding

A convenient and appealing option for many is to privately board with a family. Boarding can be relatively inexpensive, as the advertised price will often include accommodation, food, electricity and phone. As well as this you are already shifting in to a fully furnished room which will save you the costs that are often associated with shifting in to a flat. Boarding is usually advertised in the paper and on community notice boards. Asking around locals might also be a way of finding something that is available, especially if you are in a smaller town.

Flatting

If you are intending to stay in one place for a long time, it will profit you to move into a flat. This is cheaper than hostel rates and will also help develop local connections.

Don't rush into a place. Look around, as there isn't generally any relation between rent level and quality. You can get a really nice flat for a decent price per week or a real dump for the same price; it often depends on location.

Flats can sometimes be very communal. Cooking and other duties are sometimes done together, but this often depends on the schedule of the flatmates. The flat may also have a 'flat account'. This is an excellent idea as it avoids the touchy subject of money. Your rent and bill contribution will go into a bank account from which the landlord will take the rent. Someone economically minded will manage this and you won't have to worry. It will also pay for communal items like milk, washing-up liquid and toilet rolls.

Ask the locals what days are best for looking for Flatmates Wanted or Houses/Flats to Rent advertisements in the area, town or city you are looking.

HELPFUL WEBSITES

Flatfinder - www.flatfinder.co.nz
One of the largest flatmate finding websites in New Zealand. Limited empty flat ads. Listings are for cities throughout the country and are updated daily. Free to post and read listings.

Flatmates NZ - www.flatmatesnz.com
A student flat finding resource that searches all over the country. Easy to use and free to post and read listings, you just have to sign up.

Flats NZ - www.flats.net.nz
Advertises about 100 listings on average. Mostly for flatmates in Auckland and Wellington. Free to post and read listings.

Trade Me - www.trademe.co.nz/flathunt
A site where you can "bid" for almost anything and can advertise yourself as a potential flatmate or look for one to join your flat. Hundreds of flatmate/empty flat ads. Nation-wide listings. Free to view ads. Fee of $2.50 to place ads. Free flat alerts available.

Trader Point - www.exchangepoint.co.nz
Site is used mainly to search for thousands of items for sale, items wanted and more, from across the nation. The site has limited flat listings but is updated daily.

Trade and Exchange - www.tradeandexchange.co.nz
This site has flatmates wanted, flatmate listings, flats for rent/sale. Ads are mostly for Auckland. Trade and Exchange magazine can be bought from local shops and magazine sellers.

You've met someone who has been on Shortland Street.