Business
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 39% (for income over $180,000 NZD)
- VAT
- 15% GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, comprehensive rules to prevent tax avoidance
- Property Tax
- Rates levied by Dunedin City Council (approx. $2,500 - $4,000 per year)
- Property Transaction Tax
- No stamp duty, but a 'Bright-line test' (capital gains tax) applies if sold within a specific timeframe
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Transitional Resident status provides a 4-year exemption on most foreign-sourced income
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $8,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $340,000 NZD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $6,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $240,000 NZD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $7,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $468,000 NZD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $5,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $330,000 NZD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $7,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $576,000 NZD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $5,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $416,000 NZD)
- Corporate Tax
- 28%
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 33% (can be reduced via double tax agreements)
- Tax System
- Taxed on worldwide income for residents; 183-day rule for residency
Essentials
- City
- Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
- Population
- 134,600
- Internet Speed
- Fiber widespread; 900 Mbps download / 500 Mbps upload common on Chorus network
- Currency & Banking
- New Zealand Dollar (NZD). 1 NZD ≈ 0.61 USD. 1 USD ≈ 1.63 NZD
- Tap Water
- Safe and drinkable city-wide
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type I (three-pronged angled)
- SIM Card
- Spark, One NZ (formerly Vodafone), and 2degrees. Monthly 10GB plan approx. $45 NZD
- Banking for Expats
- ANZ, ASB, BNZ, and Westpac. Wise (formerly TransferWise) is highly recommended for nomads
- Accommodation
- Mix of Victorian villas, student flats, and modern apartments. Average 1-bed central rent $450-$550 NZD/week
- Cashless Friendly
- Highly. EFTPOS and contactless payments accepted even at small kiosks
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Bookabach, and flatmate.co.nz for temporary rooms
- Budget Accommodation
- Manor House Backpackers (76 Manor Place) - approx. $40 NZD/night for dorms
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- The Octagon/City Centre for proximity to landmarks and eateries
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- St Clair for beach vibes and cafes, or Maori Hill for quiet, upscale residential feel
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Petridish (8 Stafford St) - $40 NZD day pass, vibrant community with shared kitchen
- Best Cafe for Work
- Modaks Espresso (337 George St) - ample seating, eclectic vibe, and strong Wi-Fi
- Networking Events
- Startup Dunedin (20 Leithbank) events and 'Coffee and Jam' sessions
- Social Events for Expats
- Dunedin Expats Meetup Group and 'Newcomers Network Dunedin' on Facebook
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber is active; Dunedin Taxis (+64 3-477 7777) for reliable local dispatch
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Beam (purple) and Lime (green) e-scooters scattered throughout the CBD
- Best Beach Nearby
- St Clair Beach - 10 mins from city center, famous for surfing and the salt water pool
- Top Regional Airline
- Air New Zealand Link (frequent flights to Christchurch and Wellington)
- Top International Airline
- Air New Zealand (connections via Auckland/Christchurch) and Jetstar
- Highway Access
- State Highway 1 runs directly through the city, connecting north to Oamaru and south to Invercargill
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Dunedin Railway Station (historic hub) and the Bus Hub (Great King St)
- Public Transport Passes
- Bee Card - $5 NZD for the card, fares approx. $2.00 NZD per zone with the card
- Regional Travel
- InterCity Bus for long-distance; The Dunedin Railways for scenic trips to Middlemarch
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Dunedin Public Hospital (201 Great King St)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Hot Yoga Dunedin (10-14 Bath St) - approx. $25 NZD for a drop-in class
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Unipol Recreation Centre (University Plaza) - open to public; CityFitness (229 Moray Pl)
- Laundry Services
- Self Service Laundry (204 Anderson's Bay Rd) - approx. $6 NZD per wash
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- UberEats and Menulog are the primary services
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Blue Cod (local white fish) and Otago Stone Fruit
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Potpourri Vegetarian Cafe (369 George St) - iconic local spot
- Best Dessert Spots
- Patti's and Cream (various locations/trucks) for small-batch artisanal ice cream
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- New World Centre City or Pak'nSave South Dunedin for lowest prices
- E-commerce/Online Store
- TradeMe.co.nz (New Zealand's version of eBay/Craigslist) and Mighty Ape
- Grocery Delivery
- Woolworths (Countdown) Online Delivery and HelloFresh NZ
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The Octagon and lower Stuart Street area
- Local Brewery
- Emerson's Brewery & Taproom (70 Anzac Ave) - try the 'Bookbinder' ale
- Wine Bars
- Woof! (corner of Moray Pl and Lower Stuart St) - chic atmosphere and great list
- Street Food Stalls
- Otago Farmers Market (Railway Station) - every Saturday morning
- Popular International Cuisine
- Formosa Delight (Albany St) for authentic Taiwanese; Etrusco at the Savoy for Italian
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Larnach Castle (Otago Peninsula) and Baldwin Street (world's steepest street)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Otago Museum (419 Great King St) and Dunedin Public Art Gallery (The Octagon)
- Historical Sites
- Olveston Historic Home (42 Royal Terrace)
- Religious Sites
- St. Paul's Cathedral (The Octagon) - stunning vaulted ceilings
- Annual Events
- iD Dunedin Fashion Week (April) and the Midwinter Carnival (June)
- Cultural Districts
- The Warehouse Precinct - repurposed industrial area with heritage architecture
- Theater Venues
- The Regent Theatre (The Octagon) for major shows; Fortune Theatre
- Local Markets
- Otago Farmers Market (Dunedin Railway Station) - Saturdays 8:00 AM-12:30 PM
- Music Scene
- The Crown Hotel (179 Rattray St) for live local indie bands and the 'Dunedin Sound'
- Street Art
- The Dunedin Street Art Trail - over 30 murals by international artists in the CBD
- Cooking Classes
- Masterchef's kitchen at Otago Polytechnic (Harbour Terrace)
- Art Galleries
- The Blue Oyster Art Project Space (16 Dowling St)
- Historic Buildings
- Dunedin Town Hall (Moray Place) - magnificent Victorian architecture
- Local Heritage
- Strong Scottish influence; Dunedin is the 'Edinburgh of the South'
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Orokonui Ecosanctuary (Blueskin Rd) - native birds and Tuatara
- National Parks Nearby
- Mount Aspiring National Park (approx. 3.5 hours drive inland)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Otago Harbour Loop - 10km scenic path for walking and biking
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Signal Hill Lookout (offers panoramic views of the city and harbour)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Royal Albatross Centre (Taiaroa Head) - the only mainland breeding colony
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Long Beach (permitted in designated areas, check local fire bans first)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- NZ Post Shop (found in various chemists and convenience stores)
- Tech Repair Services
- Service Plus (226 Crawford St) for Apple and major brand repairs
- Table Tennis Spots
- Edgar Centre (Portsmouth Dr) - large indoor sports complex
- Language Classes
- English Language Partners Dunedin (Otago Settlement Hall)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Dunedin City Library (230 Moray Pl) - fast free Wi-Fi and quiet zones
- Community Centers
- Dunedin Community House (301 Moray Pl)
- Gaming Lounges
- The University of Otago holds various e-sports events at the Union building
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Grand Casino (123 High St) - located in the historic Heritage Hotel