Student Discounts and Freebies

Do you want to know what discounts and freebies you can get as a student in Aotearoa New Zealand?

Firstly, there’s public transport! Motu Move, the national ticketing system that will replace regional transit cards with one card, is expected to be operational across New Zealand by the end of 2027 [1], [2], [3]. For now, make sure to check what transit card is currently used in the city you’ll be living in [4].

Discounted student concession fares are available on some public transport options in some cities, including select trains, ferries, and buses [5], [6], [7]. Some regional public bus systems may offer a discount for youth 18 or under, but not a tertiary student discount; however, the adult fare with a bus card will still be cheaper than paying with cash [8]. Contactless payment may also be an option on your regional bus system [9], [10]. You can even buy a bus card at some airports [11], [12]. But, you might want to wait to check if you can get a bus card for free from your education provider's students' association or at international orientation.

Public buses are also not available from airports in all cities [13]. In some cities, there may be a private company that runs an express bus service to and from the airport that you can get a student discount for [14]. But, if you want to be dropped off at your accommodation, you can book a shared shuttle ride [15], [16]. You can search online for reviews of different shuttle companies, but first check with your education provider in case they offer a free shuttle ride for new international students. Some shuttle companies offer student discounts as well, which you can access with a code [17], link [18], student email [19], or ID card.

Speaking of student emails, some institutions will provide you one that also grants you access to Microsoft Office 365. But, you may be enrolling at a smaller institution. Before enrolling, make sure to check that the institution is NZQA accredited [20]. Later on when you are enrolled, even if your institution doesn’t provide student email addresses, you may still be able to get access to Microsoft 365 Premium for 12 months free after verifying your student status [21]. On that plan, you won’t be able to auto-generate transcripts for Teams recordings [22], for example, if you’re conducting interviews. However, you can use the Transcribe Feature on Word [23] or an alternative to Microsoft [24], [25], [26].

To take a break from studying, you can get a student discount at the cinema or to see live theatre [27], [28]. If you have a student email address, you may have access to watch movies, documentaries and shows for free on this website called ETV [29]. Even if not, it’s free to apply for a public library card so you can borrow books, DVDs, and much more [30]. A library card can also give you free access to ebooks [31] audiobooks [32], [33], and online movies [34], [35].

For additional discounts, you can join student membership services and websites, such as UNiDAYS [36], Student Beans [37], StudentCard [38], and the International Student Identity Card [39]. But, you can already get discounts with just the Student ID Card from your education provider.

Your provider may also have student clubs that you can join and get a club card for with discounts to restaurants and other local businesses [40]. Yet, beyond discounts, joining student and community clubs provides a great way to make friends and explore your interests [41], [42]!

I’m interested in how international students can be better supported. So, if you’re a future, current, or former tertiary international student in New Zealand, I’d appreciate your help participating in the survey and/or interview for my master’s project. Please visit https://studentsaswholehumanbeings.fillout.com/survey for more information.

Thank you and stay tuned for more articles and videos!

References

[1] ‘Nationwide Public Transport Ticketing System “Motu Move” Delayed Again - Morning Report’, RNZ. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/563629/nationwide-public-transport-ticketing-system-motu-move-delayed-again

[2] NZ Government, ‘Motu Move’, Motu Move. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.motumove.govt.nz/

[3] NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, ‘National Ticketing Solution’. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/walking-cycling-and-public-transport/public-transport/national-ticketing-solution

[4] NZ Government, ‘Contact Us & Regional Public Transport Links’, Motu Move. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.motumove.govt.nz/contact

[5] ‘Tertiary Student Concession’, Auckland Transport. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://at.govt.nz/bus-train-ferry/at-hop-card/card-concessions-and-discounted-fares/tertiary-student-concession

[6] ‘Tertiary Students’, Metro Christchurch. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.metroinfo.co.nz/metrocard-and-fares/tertiary-discount/

[7] ‘Tertiary Concessions’, Snapper. Accessed: Mar. 05, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.snapper.co.nz/tertiary-concessions/

[8] Otago Regional Council, ‘Orbus Fares’, Orbus. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.orc.govt.nz/orbus/fares/

[9] ‘Using Contactless Payments’, Metro Christchurch. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.metroinfo.co.nz/about/motumove/using-contactless-payments/

[10] ‘Using Contactless Payments on Auckland Public Transport’, Auckland Transport. Accessed: Mar. 05, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://at.govt.nz/bus-train-ferry/contactless-payments/using-contactless-payments-on-auckland-public-transport

[11] A. Transport, ‘How to Buy an AT HOP Card’, Auckland Transport. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://at.govt.nz/bus-train-ferry/at-hop-card/buy-at-hop-card

[12] ‘Orbus Public Bus Service’, Queenstown Airport. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.queenstownairport.co.nz/public-bus-transport

[13] T. Ward, ‘Dunedin Has a New Regional Council but Still No Public Transport to the Airport’, The Spinoff. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/13-10-2025/dunedin-has-a-new-regional-council-but-still-no-public-transport-to-the-airport

[14] ‘Help & FAQs: Bookings, Refunds, Luggage & Route Info’, SkyDrive. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.skydrive.co.nz/help/

[15] ‘Super Shuttle NZ’, Super Shuttle NZ. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.supershuttle.co.nz/

[16] ‘Airport Shuttles Dunedin’, Airport Shuttles Dunedin. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.airportshuttlesdunedin.co.nz/

[17] Super Shuttle NZ, UNI Super Shuttle NZ Discount Code, (Feb. 13, 2019). Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online Video]. Available: https://www.facebook.com/SuperShuttleNZ/videos/1673450386090257/

[18] University of Otago, Dunedin. OUSA Super Shuttle Discount, (Dec. 01, 2024). Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online Video]. Available: https://www.facebook.com/OtagoInternationalOffice/videos/742995404384769/

[19] ‘Aerolink Shuttle - Dunedin’, Aerolink Shuttle. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://aerolinkshuttle.co.nz/

[20] NZQA, ‘Find Education Organisations’, New Zealand Qualifications Authority. Accessed: Jan. 05, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/providers/index.do

[21] ‘Get 12 Free Months of Microsoft 365 Premium - Student Discount’, Microsoft. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.microsoft.com/en-nz/microsoft-365/college-student-pricing

[22] ‘Compare Microsoft Teams for Individuals’, Microsoft. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/compare-microsoft-teams-home-options

[23] ‘Transcribe your recordings -’, Microsoft Support. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/transcribe-your-recordings-7fc2efec-245e-45f0-b053-2a97531ecf57#id0ebh=word_for_the_web

[24] B. Turner, ‘Best Microsoft Office Alternative of 2026’, TechRadar. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.techradar.com/news/best-microsoft-office-alternative

[25] Auckland University of Technology, ‘Using Vibe and/or Buzz: AI-Driven Transcription Software’. Nov. 2025. [Online]. Available: https://thesislink.aut.ac.nz/wp-content/uploads/How-to-use-Vibe-and-Buzz-AI-Driven-Transcription-Software.pdf

[26] University of Auckland, ‘Introduction to TranscribeDesktop’, Centre for eResearch Services Handbook. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://uoa-eresearch.github.io/vmhandbook/doc/transcribedesktop-1introduction.html

[27] ‘Event Guide to New Zealand Theatre’, Eventfinda. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/theatre/events/new-zealand

[28] ‘Cinebuzz Student Mondays’, Event Cinemas. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.eventcinemas.co.nz/Promotions/CinebuzzStudentMondays

[29] ‘ETV’, ETV. Accessed: Mar. 05, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://etv.nz

[30] ‘What You Can Borrow’, Love Your Library. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://loveyourlibrary.org.nz/public/discovery-your-library/what-you-can-borrow

[31] ‘Libby’, Libby. [Online]. Available: https://libbyapp.com

[32] ‘BorrowBox’, BorrowBox. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.borrowbox.com

[33] ‘Ulverscroft’, Ulverscroft. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.ulverscroft.com

[34] ‘BeamaFilm - Watch Movies & Series for Free’, Beamafilm. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://beamafilm.com

[35] ‘Kanopy - Stream Classic Cinema, Indie Film and Top Documentaries’, Kanopy. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.kanopy.com/en

[36] ‘Student Deals and Free Discount Codes’, UNiDAYS. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.myunidays.com/NZ/en-NZ

[37] ‘Free Student Discounts’, Student Beans. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.studentbeans.com

[38] ‘New Zealand’s Largest Student Discount Card’, StudentCard. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://studentcard.co.nz/

[39] ‘ISIC Discounts’, International Student Identity Card. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.isic.org/discounts/

[40] ‘Collaboration with Student Associations’, Gong Cha New Zealand. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://gongcha.co.nz/web/collaboration-student-associations

[41] M. Stüde, ‘Why Every International Student Should Join a Club | Study With New Zealand’, Blog | Study With New Zealand. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://blog.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz/category/lifestyle/why-every-international-student-should-join-a-club

[42] ‘List of New Zealand Tertiary Students’ Associations’, Wikipedia. Oct. 06, 2025. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_New_Zealand_tertiary_students%27_associations&oldid=1315478972