Christchurch

Hagley Park

Located on the East Coast of the South Island, Christchurch is known as the Garden City. Christchurch embraces the beautiful Avon River and is famed for its public and private gardens. Beaches, lakes, rivers and mountains are all within easy reach of the city.

With a population of around 400,000 people, international students can enjoy living in a clean, green environment, free from pollution and congestion. The high standard and relatively cheap cost of living, efficient public transport system and first-class education system make Christchurch an ideal place to study.

Entertainment opportunities abound and there is something to suit everyone; from paragliding on the Port Hills, jet boating on the Waimakariri River, horse riding and farm visits, to swimming, movies, playing pool or punting on the Avon.

NEW ZEALAND

Christchurch City

An island nation of almost 4 million people, New Zealand is world renowned for its breathtaking scenery.

English and Maori are the two official languages of New Zealand. Everybody can speak English.

New Zealand has a politically and socially stable environment with a democratically elected government and is an independent member of the British Commonwealth. The capital city is Wellington which is located in the North Island. The main economic industries are Tourism, food processing, wood and paper products, wool, textiles, dairy products, meat, iron and steel.

The people of New Zealand, often called ‘Kiwis’, take a friendly and relaxed attitude towards life. Most Kiwis are enthusiastic about sport, or other outdoor pursuits such as bush-walking and fishing.

NZ Way of Life

Food

In New Zealand you’ll find a wide range of local and international food. Restaurants offer many dishes, from traditional New Zealand Lamb, to Italian Pizza, to Chinese Pork Dumplings. Or you could try a traditional Maori Hangi, where meat and vegetables are cooked underground in an earth oven.

Kiwis usually eat 3 meals a day. Breakfast may consist of fruit, toasted bread or cereals with milk or yoghurt. Lunch is generally a small meal, eaten on the go for those at work, perhaps a sandwich, soup or pie. Dinner, usually the largest meal of the day, would usually consist of meat and vegetables, especially potatoes. Some families may follow this with a dessert of fruit or ice-cream.

If you want to do your own cooking, there are numerous supermarkets and speciality shops selling imported food from many countries..

Water
New Zealand’s public water supply is of very high quality. Christchurch’s water supply comes from deep underground, is 100% natural and is very good to drink. Every Spring, melting snow high in the mountains refills the natural supply.

Currency

New Zealand currency is dollars and cents and uses coins and notes. 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2 coins; $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 notes are used.

Banking
Banks are open from 9am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday. Most banks are closed at weekends and Public Holidays.
If you are an international student on a course of 24 weeks or more, you can open a bank account. ATM machines are available for 24 hour deposits and withdrawals and most purchases can be made by eftpos (using your bank card).
International Visa and Master cards can be used at ATM machines and eftpos machines for payments and cash withdrawals.

Religion
All the major cities in New Zealand have places of prayer and worship for a wide range of religions.

Electricity
New Zealand’s domestic electricity supply is 240 volts, 50 hertz. Power adapters can be purchased at any electrical hardware shop.

Contact us:
Canterbury Language College Australasia
Level 3, Link Centre, 152 – 156 Hereford Street
PO Box 4425, Christchurch, New Zealand
Phone +64 3 365 1920
Fax +64 3 365 2296
Email: info@cancan.com