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Americans in Auckland

Everything you need to move to, rent in and enjoy Auckland as an American, and how it fits with your US taxes, money and paperwork.

Official US

Consulate

U.S. Consulate General Auckland

Passports, citizenship, voting help, notarials and emergency help for U.S. citizens in New Zealand

23 Customs Street East, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010

Website · Map · +64 9 303 2724 · aucklandacs@state.gov

Your community group

ExpatStateside New Zealand: Americans in New Zealand

Free group for Americans in New Zealand: questions, tips, meetups, Thanksgiving and the Super Bowl.

Opening soon

Vote from AucklandRegister and request your ballot with one form, the FPCA. Send a new one every January.

How to vote

Auckland Partners

Global partner · online

The emotional move

A move abroad changes more than your address. Katharina Bergauer (innsicht) supports individuals, couples and families before the move and until everyone feels at home. Online, in English or German.

Book a first conversation

Katharina Bergauer

innsichtEintragungsnummer: 17784

Open

Your business here: partner in Auckland

Do you help Americans in Auckland with property, business setup, relocation or schools? One partner per category, no competitor next to you.

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Every partner is personally vetted by us and featured through a paid subscription across our magazines. Our guides are written independently. Meet all our partners

Guides for life in Auckland

Basics

Cost of living in Auckland vs San Diego: where your dollars go

Auckland and San Diego are both sunny harbor cities with pricey housing, but the bills land differently. Rent, transit, groceries, power and eating out, in NZD and USD.

Basics

Floods, storms and earthquakes in Auckland: what 2023 taught the city

Auckland's 2023 floods showed that heavy rain is the city's everyday hazard. Here's how alerts work, what natural hazards insurance covers, and how to get your home ready.

Money and work

New Zealand taxes for Americans: Inland Revenue, the IRS and how the two fit

In Auckland you answer to Inland Revenue and the IRS. Here's how New Zealand residency works, why new arrivals get a 4-year break on foreign income, and how to avoid paying twice.

Money and work

Banking in New Zealand as an American: opening an account before you land, FATCA and your FBAR

New Zealand banks will take a US passport, and three of the big ones let you apply before you fly. Here's how to land in Auckland with a working account, and what Uncle Sam still expects.

Money and work

IRD number and KiwiSaver: what Americans in New Zealand need to know

Your IRD number is the easy part. KiwiSaver is where New Zealand's retirement system and US tax rules collide, and the IRS has never said how it sees it.

Home

Renting in Auckland: weekly rent, capped bonds and the Healthy Homes rules

Auckland rents are quoted by the week, bonds are capped at four weeks and held by the government, and letting fees are banned. Here's what Americans need to know before signing.

Home

Buying a home in New Zealand as an American: the foreign buyer ban and its exceptions

Since 2018, most foreigners can't buy an existing home in New Zealand. Here's who can, how Overseas Investment Office consent works, and the tax rules once you own.

Moving and visas

Moving to Auckland as an American: the visa routes that actually work

A US passport gets you into New Zealand on an NZeTA, but living in Auckland takes a real visa. Here are the routes that work for Americans, with 2026 fees in NZD and USD.

Moving and visas

New Zealand's work and skilled migrant visas: from a job offer to residence

Most Americans who move to Auckland for work start on an employer-sponsored visa. Here's how the AEWV, the Skilled Migrant Category and the Green List fit together.

Moving and visas

New Zealand's working holiday visa for Americans: 12 months, ages 18 to 30

If you're a US citizen aged 18 to 30, New Zealand will let you live and work here for up to a year without a job offer. Here's what the visa asks for.

Health

Healthcare in Auckland: how the public system, your GP and ACC fit together

New Zealand's public system covers residents and many work visa holders, ACC covers every accident, and a GP is your front door. Here's how it works for Americans in Auckland.

Health

Healthcare eligibility in New Zealand: the 2-year rule, ACC and private cover

New Zealand's public health system isn't open to every newcomer. Your visa decides if you're in, and the magic number is 2 years.

Schools and study

Schools in Auckland: private schools, school zones and who pays international fees

Most kids in Auckland go to free state schools, but your visa and your address decide which one. Here's how zoning, private school fees and international student rules work.

Schools and study

NCEA and universities in Auckland: a guide for American families

No GPA, no SAT, no senior prom as you know it. Here's how NCEA and University Entrance work in Auckland, and whether your kid can use US federal student loans here.

Getting around

Driving in New Zealand with a US license: the 12-month clock, converting and getting around Auckland

Your US license works in New Zealand for 12 months from your last arrival, and the US is on the list of countries that convert without a theory test. Here's the process, and how Auckland gets around.

Getting around

Auckland ferries, buses and the AT HOP card: getting around without a car

Tap a card or your phone, ride the new City Rail Link and take the ferry to Devonport. Here's how Auckland public transport works, what it costs and when to skip the car.

Community

American life in Auckland: Thanksgiving in summer, the NFL at breakfast

Being American in Auckland means Thanksgiving in shorts and the NFL with your Monday coffee. Here's how to keep your traditions, follow US politics and find other Americans.

Community

Rugby and Kiwi culture for Americans: the All Blacks, te reo and how things work here

Rugby is the national conversation, te reo Māori is everywhere and Kiwis are famously low-key. Here's a respectful primer for Americans settling into Auckland.

Going out

American food in Auckland: Costco runs, NFL on Monday mornings and the Thanksgiving turkey hunt

Auckland has a Costco, plenty of Taco Bells and Reese's in the supermarket. Canned pumpkin, root beer and a November turkey take more work. Here's what we found, and when kickoff really is.

Going out

Nightlife in Auckland: K Road, Ponsonby and the late bus home

Auckland goes out in neighborhoods: K Road for clubs and gigs, Ponsonby for bars, the Viaduct for harbor views. Here's where to start and how to get home.

America in Auckland

The embassy or consulate, business groups, clubs, sport, schools, churches and a taste of home. Checked 2026-11; tell us if something has changed.

Official US

Consulate

U.S. Consulate General Auckland

Passports, citizenship, voting help, notarials and emergency help for U.S. citizens in New Zealand

23 Customs Street East, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010

Website · Map · +64 9 303 2724 · aucklandacs@state.gov · Facebook · Instagram · X · YouTube

Commercial Service

U.S. Commercial Service Auckland

U.S. Department of Commerce trade office helping American companies do business in New Zealand

Level 3, 23 Customs Street, Auckland 1142

Website · Map · office.newzealand@trade.gov

Business and networking

Chamber

American Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand (AmCham)

Business network promoting U.S.-New Zealand trade, investment and education links

PO Box 106 002, Auckland Central, Auckland 1143

Website · Map · +64 9 309 9140 · amcham@amcham.co.nz

Party groups abroad

Listed side by side for information. We are nonpartisan.

Party

Democrats Abroad New Zealand

Official Democratic Party country committee for Americans in New Zealand; voter registration help

Website · Map · Instagram

Party

Republicans Overseas

Worldwide Republican organization for Americans abroad; no New Zealand chapter listed

Website · Map

American sport

League

American Football Auckland

Regional body running tackle leagues (men, women, colts, juniors) and club flag football

Map · admin@nzaff.co.nz

Little League

Auckland Baseball

Auckland's baseball association, running Little League divisions from Minor to Big League (19U)

Website · Map · Facebook · Instagram

Schools and universities

International school

Kristin School

IB Continuum World School also offering NCEA; early childhood (6 months) to Year 13.

360 Albany Highway, Albany, Auckland 0632

Website · Map · +64 9 415 9566 · kristin@kristin.school.nz · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn

US study advising

EducationUSA New Zealand (Auckland)

Official US government advising on study in the US, based at the U.S. Consulate General; resource library by appointment.

23 Customs Street East, Auckland 1010

Website · Map · Facebook · X · YouTube

US study-abroad program

IES Abroad Auckland

US study-abroad provider; direct enrollment at the University of Auckland for fall, spring or a full year.

Alfred Nathan House, University of Auckland, Auckland

Website · Map

US study-abroad program

CIEE Semester in Auckland

US study-abroad provider; semester or year at the University of Auckland, with online courses via Arizona State University.

Website · Map

Online school (AP / US diploma)

Crimson Global Academy

Registered NZ private online school established in Auckland in 2019, ages 6-18; British or American curriculum incl. Advanced Placement courses and a US Diploma pathway, Grades 1-12.

Online school (established in Auckland), Auckland, New Zealand

Website · Map · +64 9 802 5292 · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn · YouTube

American restaurants and bars

More in our guide: American food, restaurants and bars in Auckland. Listings are not paid.

BBQ

Morepork BBQ

Texas and Southern-style slow-smoked brisket and ribs; hosts an annual Thanksgiving dinner.

40 Main Road, Kumeū 0810, Auckland

Website · Map · +64 9 412 5993 · Facebook · Instagram

Deli

Federal Delicatessen (The Fed)

Al Brown's New York-style Jewish deli: Reubens, lox, latkes, pickles and bottomless filter coffee.

86 Federal Street, Auckland 1010

Website · Map · +64 9 363 7184 · hello@thefed.co.nz · Facebook · Instagram

Southern / Fried chicken

Peach's Hot Chicken

Nashville hot chicken on white bread with pickles, spice level of your choice.

2 Queens Road, Panmure, Auckland 1072

Website · Map · hello@peachshotchicken.com · Facebook

Sports bar

The Fox

Viaduct pub with a live sports schedule; reviewers mention booking ahead for NFL games.

85/87 Customs Street West, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010

Website · Map · +64 9 553 4995 · thefox@gsh.co.nz

Tex-Mex (chain)

Taco Bell (Shortland Street)

The U.S. chain, with 11 Auckland branches including downtown, Westgate and the airport.

3 Shortland Street, Auckland Central, Auckland

Website · Map · +64 9 300 3252

A taste of home

Costco

Costco Westgate

New Zealand's Costco warehouse, with U.S. brands and bulk groceries (membership)

2 Gunton Drive, Westgate, Auckland 0814

Website · Map · +64 9 870 4700