Penny Smith made the big move to the city. She has lived at the YWCA hostel in Auckland.
Moving from a small town to the City can be a daunting experience. Lets face it, if you come from a place where the main drag is 50 metres long and where you can get away with wearing socks and sandals, Auckland with it’s cafes, multi-complexes and High Street fashion is pretty scary. The move is enough, which is why careful planning should be done to ensure that money doesn’t become an issue.
If hitting your parents up for money isn’t an option, and you were too busy partying over summer to really consider saving, there is one word you should really become familiar with: LOAN.
If your move to the city is because of school, you may be eligible for a student loan.
The Student Loan scheme is a Government initiative allowing students to borrow money to finance their study. However; there is criteria that needs to be met before a loan is granted. For example, to get a student loan you must be a New Zealand citizen or have been granted permanent residency status. You have to be enrolled in a course that is approved by the Ministry of Education. Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to a student allowance. Student allowances are for full-time students who are on an approved study course at a recognised institution. It is paid to help with your living expenses while you study. Unlike a loan, a student allowance is like a benefit and doesn’t require repayment. To find out if you are eligible for either, call WINZ’s Student Services Department on 0800 88 99 00 or check out their website: http://www.winz.govt.nz
If your move is in hope of finding a better job, WINZ also offers work incentive allowances, such as the Community Wage. Loans can also come from other sources such as Banks and Maori Trust Funds, but beware that many loans have high interest attached, so shop around to make sure you get the best and safest deal.
If you are seeking a job in Auckland, there are number of places where you can look. The New Zealand Herald is an obvious choice; it has a Situations Vacant section in its Monday and Wednesday editions. The major newspapers in Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin have their biggest Sits Vac sections on Wednesdays and Saturdays. If you are after part-time work while you study, why not try Student Job Search? Their objective is to find part-time and full-time work for students, and they operate offices in most major universities around the country. Then of course there are the latest on-line job search agencies, for example; Netcheck, Monster and Seek. You usually have to register by logging onto their search engines, then recording your contact details and what kind of job you’d prefer. The agency will email you prospective job possibilities that match your preferences.
For many of us living at the YWCA hostel it is our first real experience away from home. People move to the city for various reasons, whether it be school, travel, better work opportunities, or simply to escape the mediocrity of country life. But one thing we all agree on - things in the city cost money!
Fortunately, the staff at the YWCA understand this; accommodation offered here is very affordable, and staff are approachable when it comes to residents’ financial situations.
“It is best to be honest with staff.” says Rachel Totman, receptionist at the YWCA hostel, Auckland.
Whether you are having a problem with your student allowance or scholarship, are having family problems or have simply overspent it is better to approach staff and explain your problem rather than allow it to get worse.
“We are very lenient, depending on residents circumstances.”
Speaking from my own experience; I moved from Wanganui to Auckland last year. My main reason was to attend University, and although I was originally receiving a student allowance, I soon found part-time work so no longer needed it. My life’s pretty full-on, going to school during the week, working on the weekend, and occasionally having a life…. But seriously, it’s worth it. At the end of the day I know I’m working towards something that is worthwhile. I work hard to make sure that money doesn’t become an issue for me. Because, when it comes down to it, the power to control your financial success is in your hands.