Living in New Zealand

New Zealand Digital Life: Essential Apps, Websites & Online Services for Migrants (2026)

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New Zealand Digital Life - Person using smartphone with essential New Zealand apps and services

Life in New Zealand is increasingly digital, and knowing which apps and websites to use will make your daily life significantly easier. From finding accommodation and buying second-hand goods to managing your finances and getting around town, having the right digital tools at your fingertips transforms your New Zealand experience.

Unlike many countries where apps like Craigslist or Gumtree dominate, New Zealand has its own unique digital ecosystem. Learning these platforms quickly helps you settle in, save money, and navigate life like a local. This guide covers every essential app, website, and online service you'll need as a migrant in New Zealand in 2026.

Trade Me: New Zealand's Digital Marketplace

If there's one platform every New Zealander uses, it's Trade Me. Often called "the eBay of New Zealand," Trade Me is so ingrained in Kiwi life that "I'll Trade Me it" is a common phrase. Understanding Trade Me is essential for finding rental accommodation, buying household items, and selling unwanted goods.

What is Trade Me?

Trade Me (trademe.co.nz) is New Zealand's largest online marketplace and auction site. Founded in 1999, it dominates the online classifieds market and is where Kiwis go to buy and sell almost anything.

What you can find on Trade Me:

Using Trade Me Effectively

Trade Me operates on both auction and fixed-price listings. Many New Zealanders check Trade Me multiple times daily for new listings, especially for rental properties and popular items.

Tips for new migrants:

The Trade Me app (iOS and Android) is essential. Enable notifications for property alerts when you're house hunting—rental properties in popular areas can be listed and rented within hours.

Trade Me for Furnishing Your Home

New migrants often use Trade Me extensively in their first months to furnish homes affordably. You'll find everything from entire bedroom sets to kitchen appliances, often at a fraction of retail prices. Being patient and checking daily can save you thousands of dollars compared to buying new.

Banking Apps: Managing Your Finances

New Zealand banks offer excellent mobile banking apps that make managing money convenient. After you've opened your New Zealand bank account, download your bank's app immediately.

Major Bank Apps

ANZ goMoney: ANZ's banking app offers account management, transfers, bill payments, and international money transfers. Clean interface with good security features including fingerprint and face recognition.

ASB Mobile: Highly rated app with comprehensive features including viewing accounts, making payments, managing cards, and applying for products. Known for its user-friendly design.

BNZ Mobile Banking: Full-featured banking app with Fastnet login, instant notifications for transactions, and easy bill payment options. Includes spending insights to help track your budget.

Westpac One: Westpac's mobile banking platform covering all standard banking needs plus additional features like viewing your credit score and setting savings goals.

Kiwibank Mobile Banking: User-friendly app with all essential banking features. As New Zealand's only locally-owned major bank, popular with many Kiwis.

Essential Banking App Features

New Zealand banking apps typically include:

Most banks also offer Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay for contactless payments from your phone.

Transport & Navigation Apps

Getting around New Zealand requires different apps depending on whether you're using public transport, driving, or both. Understanding New Zealand's transportation options helps you choose the right digital tools.

Public Transport Apps

AT Mobile (Auckland Transport): Essential for Auckland residents. Shows real-time bus, train, and ferry schedules, route planning, and lets you manage your AT HOP card (Auckland's public transport payment card). Download this immediately if you're living in Auckland.

Metlink (Wellington): Wellington's public transport app showing buses, trains, and ferries. Includes real-time updates and journey planning. Integrates with the Snapper card payment system.

Metro Info (Christchurch): Christchurch's public transport app for bus routes, schedules, and trip planning. Shows live bus locations and expected arrival times.

Navigation & Maps

Google Maps: Works excellently in New Zealand with accurate directions, traffic updates, and public transport information. Most New Zealanders use Google Maps for navigation.

Waze: Community-driven navigation app popular for road trips and avoiding traffic. Users report hazards, police presence, and traffic conditions. Particularly useful on State Highways.

Parking Apps

PayMyPark: Used in many New Zealand cities for paying parking remotely. Download this to avoid parking tickets—you can extend parking time from anywhere.

Wilson Parking: Pay for parking in Wilson car parks across New Zealand. Convenient for city parking.

AT Park (Auckland): Specific to Auckland, manages parking in Auckland Council car parks.

Rideshare & Taxis

Uber: Available in major New Zealand cities. Functions identically to Uber worldwide. Cheaper than traditional taxis and widely used by locals.

Ola: Alternative rideshare service operating in Auckland and Wellington. Often offers competitive pricing and driver promotions.

Food & Grocery Apps

While many New Zealanders still prefer in-person grocery shopping, delivery services have grown significantly. When you're learning about food and groceries in New Zealand, these apps become increasingly useful.

Supermarket Delivery

Countdown: New Zealand's largest supermarket chain offers online shopping with delivery or pickup. The app lets you shop from your phone, save shopping lists, and schedule delivery times. Useful when you're busy settling in or unwell.

FreshChoice & SuperValue: Some stores offer online shopping through their own platforms or partner services.

Restaurant & Takeaway Delivery

Uber Eats: Largest food delivery service in New Zealand. Delivers from restaurants, fast food, and some grocery stores. Regular promotions and discounts for new users.

Menulog: Another major food delivery platform with good coverage across New Zealand cities and towns.

DoorDash: Expanding in New Zealand with coverage in main centers. Often has promotional codes for first-time users.

Restaurant Discovery & Booking

OpenTable: Book restaurant reservations online. Not as universally used as in some countries, but major restaurants accept OpenTable bookings.

Google Maps restaurant reviews: Most New Zealanders check Google reviews before trying new restaurants. Comprehensive coverage and honest local feedback.

Government & Official Apps

New Zealand's government services are increasingly digital, making administrative tasks easier for migrants.

myIR – Inland Revenue

The Inland Revenue Department's app lets you manage your tax affairs including viewing your IRD number, checking tax codes, filing returns, and managing student loans. Essential once you start working in New Zealand.

RealMe

RealMe is New Zealand's online identity verification system. Create a RealMe account to access government services online including IRD, immigration applications, driver licensing, and more. One login for multiple government services.

My Health NZ

View your vaccination records, COVID-19 test results, and manage health information. Particularly useful for accessing your COVID-19 vaccination pass if traveling.

NZ COVID Tracer (may be discontinued)

Used during COVID-19 for contact tracing. While pandemic measures have eased, the infrastructure remains for future use if needed. Check current requirements when you arrive.

Communication Apps

Staying connected with family overseas and communicating locally requires the right messaging and calling apps, especially after you've set up your phone plan.

WhatsApp

Widely used by New Zealand's migrant communities for international communication. Many Kiwis also use WhatsApp, making it a universal communication tool.

Facebook Messenger

Extremely popular in New Zealand for both personal and business communication. Many small businesses use Messenger as their primary contact method. You'll often be asked "Are you on Messenger?" when networking.

Video Calling

Zoom: Became ubiquitous during COVID-19 and remains widely used for remote work, telehealth appointments, and staying in touch with family overseas.

FaceTime: Apple users communicate via FaceTime. Common among iPhone users in New Zealand.

WhatsApp Video: Convenient for international video calls to family.

Real Estate & Property Apps

Beyond Trade Me, several property-specific platforms help with accommodation searches, property research, and buying decisions.

realestate.co.nz

New Zealand's largest property website for buying and renting. Complementary to Trade Me with some exclusive listings. The app offers saved searches and instant notifications for new properties.

homes.co.nz

Property search platform with historical data, property valuations, and suburb insights. Useful for researching areas before renting or buying.

OneRoof

Property listings combined with comprehensive property data including estimated values, sales history, and demographic information about neighborhoods. Helpful for understanding where to live in New Zealand.

Entertainment & Media Apps

Entertainment options in New Zealand include local and international streaming services.

Streaming Services

TVNZ+: Free streaming service from TVNZ (New Zealand's public broadcaster). Offers New Zealand TV shows, news, and international content. Completely free with ads.

ThreeNow: Free streaming from Three (another NZ broadcaster). Similar to TVNZ+ with local and international shows.

Neon: New Zealand's premium streaming service owned by Sky. Includes HBO content, movies, and local productions. Subscription required.

Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video: All available in New Zealand with NZ-specific content libraries. Pricing similar to other regions.

Sports Streaming

Spark Sport: Streams major sporting events including rugby, cricket, football, and motorsport. Essential for sports fans and understanding New Zealand's sports culture.

Sky Sport Now: Sky's sports streaming service. Expensive but comprehensive coverage of international and domestic sports.

Music Streaming

Spotify: Most popular music streaming service in New Zealand. Works identically to other regions with NZ-specific playlists and local artists featured.

Apple Music, YouTube Music, Tidal: All available with similar features to global versions.

Shopping & Retail Apps

Beyond supermarkets, several retail apps make shopping in New Zealand convenient.

The Warehouse

New Zealand's "everything store" selling homeware, electronics, toys, clothing, and basics at affordable prices. The app offers click-and-collect or delivery. Essential for new migrants furnishing homes on a budget.

Kmart Australia & New Zealand

Budget department store with surprisingly good quality homeware, clothing, and everyday items. The app helps locate items in stores and check stock.

Briscoes & Rebel Sport

Briscoes sells homeware, kitchen items, bedding, and appliances. Famous for perpetual sales ("Up to 70% off!" is basically permanent). Rebel Sport is its sporting goods equivalent. Both have apps with club memberships offering additional discounts.

Farmers

Long-established department store selling clothing, beauty products, homeware, and appliances. The Farmers Club card provides ongoing discounts. App useful for online shopping and managing club card.

Emergency & Safety Apps

Safety apps are essential, especially given New Zealand's seismic activity and weather patterns. Understanding emergency preparedness in New Zealand includes having the right apps.

Emergency Alert System

New Zealand has a national emergency mobile alert system that sends warnings directly to mobile phones during emergencies (tsunamis, floods, earthquakes). No app required—alerts come automatically to all phones in affected areas.

GeoNet

Monitors earthquakes and volcanic activity in New Zealand. The GeoNet app (and website geonet.org.nz) shows recent earthquakes, their magnitudes, and locations. Reassuring for migrants unfamiliar with earthquakes—you can check if that shake was real or just in your head.

MetService Weather

New Zealand's official weather forecasting service. The MetService app provides accurate forecasts, severe weather warnings, and radar images. Essential for planning outdoor activities given New Zealand's changeable weather.

Red Cross Hazard App

Provides information on what to do during emergencies including earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, and other hazards. Good educational resource for new migrants.

Essential Websites for New Zealand Life

Beyond apps, several websites are crucial for New Zealand migrants.

Immigration New Zealand (immigration.govt.nz)

Official source for visa information, immigration policies, and application status. Bookmark this site for checking visa conditions and requirements.

Tenancy Services (tenancy.govt.nz)

Official government information on tenant rights, landlord responsibilities, and resolving rental disputes. Essential reading before signing any rental agreement.

Consumer NZ (consumer.org.nz)

Independent consumer advocacy providing product reviews, price comparisons, and consumer rights information. Subscription service but some content is free. Useful for researching major purchases.

Neighbourly (neighbourly.co.nz)

Local community website and app connecting neighbors. Find local recommendations, community events, lost pets, free items, and local news. Good for integrating into your neighborhood.

Eventfinda (eventfinda.co.nz)

Comprehensive events guide showing concerts, festivals, markets, sports events, and activities across New Zealand. Great for discovering what's happening locally.

Book a Batch (bookabach.co.nz)

New Zealand's holiday home booking site. "Bach" is Kiwi slang for holiday home. Use this for booking weekend getaways around New Zealand—more local options than Airbnb.

Seek (seek.co.nz)

New Zealand's largest job search website. Essential when looking for work in New Zealand. Upload your CV and set up job alerts.

Community & Social Apps

Making connections and finding community is important for migrants. These platforms help with socializing and making friends in New Zealand.

Facebook Groups

Extremely active in New Zealand. Join groups for your suburb, migrant community, hobbies, and interests. Examples include "Indians in Auckland," "New Migrants Wellington," "Buy Nothing [Suburb Name]," and activity-specific groups.

Meetup

Organized social groups for hobbies, networking, and interests. Active in major cities with groups for hiking, language exchange, professional networking, and more.

Internations

Global expat community with active New Zealand chapters. Paid membership but offers events, networking, and resources specifically for expats and migrants.

Utilities & Services Apps

Managing household services becomes easier with the right apps, especially after you've set up utilities.

Power Company Apps

Most electricity retailers (Contact Energy, Mercury Energy, Genesis, Electric Kiwi, etc.) have apps for managing accounts, viewing usage, paying bills, and receiving notifications about billing.

Spark, One NZ, 2degrees Apps

Mobile and internet provider apps let you manage data, pay bills, check usage, and modify plans. Download your provider's app when you get your phone connection.

Rubbish & Recycling Apps

Many councils offer apps showing collection dates, what goes in which bin, and reminders for collection days. Search for your local council's app.

Financial Management Apps

Beyond banking apps, several tools help manage finances in New Zealand.

PocketSmith

New Zealand-based personal finance software. Connects to your bank accounts and tracks spending, creates budgets, and projects future cash flow. Especially useful for understanding the cost of living in New Zealand in your first months.

Sorted (sorted.org.nz)

Free financial guidance from the Commission for Financial Capability (government-funded). Website offers calculators, budgeting tools, retirement planning, and financial education. No app but excellent mobile-optimized website.

Sharesies

Popular New Zealand investment platform allowing you to buy shares in NZ and international companies with small amounts. Good way to start investing once you've settled financially.

Healthcare Apps

Managing health appointments and prescriptions is important, especially as you learn about New Zealand's healthcare system.

Manage My Health

Used by many GP practices for booking appointments online, ordering repeat prescriptions, viewing test results, and communicating with your doctor. Check if your GP practice uses this system.

MoleMap

Skin cancer screening service. Given New Zealand's high UV levels and melanoma rates, regular skin checks are important. The app helps track mole changes and book appointments.

Learning & Integration Apps

Apps that help you understand New Zealand better and integrate into society.

Stuff & NZ Herald Apps

Major New Zealand news outlets. Download news apps to stay informed about local events, politics, weather, and community news. Understanding local context helps integration.

RNZ (Radio New Zealand)

Public radio broadcaster. The app streams news, podcasts, and radio stations. Excellent for hearing authentic Kiwi accents and understanding local issues.

Te Aka Māori Dictionary App

Learn basic te reo Māori (Māori language). Understanding common Māori words and place names helps with cultural integration and shows respect for New Zealand's indigenous culture.

Courier & Delivery Services

New Zealand has several delivery services with apps for tracking packages.

NZ Post

National postal service. The app tracks packages, finds post shops, and manages parcel deliveries. You can request redelivery or change delivery locations through the app.

CourierPost

NZ Post's courier service for larger parcels. Track deliveries and manage collections via app.

Aramex, DHL, FedEx

International couriers operating in New Zealand. Their apps track international shipments including items you're shipping to New Zealand from overseas.

Cost-Saving & Deal Apps

Several apps help you save money on everyday purchases.

Gaspy

Shows petrol prices at nearby stations. Fuel prices vary significantly between stations—this app helps find the cheapest option. Essential for regular drivers.

The Warehouse Club Card & Farmers Club

Retail loyalty programs offering ongoing discounts and member pricing. Worth joining for regular shoppers.

Flybys (Countdown)

Countdown supermarket's loyalty program. Earn points on groceries which convert to fuel discounts. Integrated into the Countdown app.

Digital Wallet & Payment Apps

Contactless payment is ubiquitous in New Zealand. Most transactions use EFTPOS or contactless card payments.

Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay

All widely accepted in New Zealand. Add your bank cards and pay with your phone almost everywhere. Even small vendors and markets often accept contactless payments.

Paymark

Not an app but New Zealand's main EFTPOS network. Understanding that "EFTPOS" means debit card payment helps at checkouts.

Practical Tips for Using Apps in New Zealand

Download essentials before you arrive: Get banking apps, Google Maps, and WhatsApp working before landing in New Zealand. Airport WiFi lets you download other apps upon arrival.

Use WiFi for large downloads: If on limited mobile data, wait until connected to WiFi before downloading large apps. Most accommodations, cafes, and libraries offer free WiFi.

Enable notifications strategically: Turn on notifications for important apps (banking, rental property alerts, public transport updates) but disable notifications for less critical apps to avoid overload.

Keep banking apps secure: Always use fingerprint, Face ID, or strong passwords for banking and financial apps. Never save passwords in public devices.

Update apps regularly: New Zealand banks and service providers frequently update apps for security and features. Keep apps current.

Check data usage: Some apps consume significant data (video streaming, maps). Monitor usage if on limited mobile plans. Most phones show data consumption per app in settings.

Apps to Download Your First Week

Here's a prioritized list for new arrivals:

Day 1 (Airport/Arrival):

First Week:

First Month:

Understanding New Zealand's Digital Culture

A few cultural observations about digital life in New Zealand:

Kiwis love Trade Me: Seriously, everyone uses it. Don't overlook this platform—it's genuinely central to New Zealand life.

Facebook is massive: More widely used for business and community communication than in many other countries. Many small businesses operate primarily through Facebook.

Cash is increasingly rare: Contactless card and phone payments dominate. Some venues don't accept cash at all. Always have EFTPOS or card available.

Free WiFi is common: Libraries, cafes, and public spaces often offer free WiFi. Useful when first arriving and managing data.

Digital government services are excellent: New Zealand's government is well ahead on digital services. Embrace RealMe and online government platforms—they genuinely work well.

Privacy & Security Considerations

Some privacy tips for using apps in New Zealand:

Final Thoughts

New Zealand's digital ecosystem is mature, user-friendly, and essential for daily life. While the list of apps might seem overwhelming at first, you'll naturally incorporate them into your routine over your first few months.

Start with the basics—banking, Trade Me, transport, and maps—then gradually add others as needs arise. Most Kiwis are surprisingly digital-savvy, and you'll quickly find that having the right apps makes life significantly easier than it would be without them.

The beauty of New Zealand's digital landscape is how locally-focused many services are. Trade Me, RealMe, MetService, and local transport apps are built specifically for New Zealand conditions and culture. This local focus means they genuinely work better than trying to adapt overseas alternatives.

Give yourself time to learn these platforms, ask other migrants what they use, and don't hesitate to experiment with different apps to find what works best for you. Before you know it, you'll be checking Trade Me daily, complaining about GeoNet notifications for tiny earthquakes, and confidently navigating New Zealand's digital world like a local.

Your smartphone is one of your most valuable tools as a new migrant in New Zealand. Make sure it's loaded with the right apps, and you'll find settling in much smoother, more connected, and far more convenient than it would otherwise be.

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