New Zealand
Dating in NZ when you have moved here from abroad
Beaches, bush walks and an easy-going pace: meet people in New Zealand who also chose a life far from where they grew up. Your profile is free.
- Free to join
- Auckland to Christchurch
- VIP in NZ dollars
- Many manually verified members
In short
Dating in NZ as a newcomer is mostly about finding people with time for a walk on the beach and a long chat. ExpatSingles is free to join: set your town and the distance you want, and every day it suggests people nearby who also moved here, or who like an international story.
- Who: expats in New Zealand, and New Zealanders who enjoy meeting people from overseas.
- Free: your profile, daily suggestions, the ID or video check and a few messages each day.
- Where: first date ideas for Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch below.
- VIP: no message limit, from NZ$24.99 a week.
People move to New Zealand for its way of life, its jobs and its landscapes, and most of them land in Auckland, where a large share of residents were born overseas. Wellington, Christchurch and Hamilton draw many newcomers too. Online dating helps expats in New Zealand meet someone beyond the office, the gym and the same group of friends.
Why newcomers in New Zealand try online dating
A new country is easier with someone who knows what that feels like.
ExpatSingles in New Zealand
Moved to New Zealand and want someone to explore it with? ExpatSingles is made for that
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Someone who gets it
Members have crossed the world themselves, or hope to meet someone who did, so visas and family far away need no explanation.
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Close to home
Suggestions follow the distance you choose, which matters in a country of long drives between cities.
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Easy to start
A short profile, a photo and your town are enough to see who lives near you.
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Discreet
Other members only see your username and nearest town, never your real name or email address.
First date ideas
Three first dates in New Zealand
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Auckland
Mission Bay and Tāmaki Drive
A beach lined with pōhutukawa trees and views of Rangitoto Island, joined to the city by a flat coastal path with cafes along the water.
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Wellington
Oriental Bay
The city beach on the inner harbour, with a waterfront promenade for walking, cycling or a picnic close to the centre.
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Christchurch
The Botanic Gardens and Hagley Park
Wide, flat paths beside the Ōtākaro Avon River in the heart of the city, with a cafe inside the gardens.
Dating culture in New Zealand: relaxed and outdoors
Life in New Zealand is easy-going, and people make time for friends, family and the outdoors. Even in the biggest cities a beach or a trail is never far away, so many first dates are a walk rather than a long dinner.
Social life is informal. Answer invitations promptly and turn up on time, and if friends ask you to bring a plate, they mean food to share, not crockery.
Māori culture shapes everyday life here. One of its central values is manaakitanga, caring for and welcoming others, and newcomers soon notice that warmth.
Free to join
From Auckland to Christchurch, start with a free profile
Say where you live and what you hope to find, and suggestions arrive every day. Joining costs nothing.
Join freeHow to start dating in New Zealand on ExpatSingles
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Join free
Pick a username, add a photo and set the town you live in.
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Choose your distance
Keep it local, or widen it if you are happy to drive.
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Verify
An ID check costs nothing; a short video call with a moderator works too.
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Start talking
Write a few free messages each day, or go VIP for no limit.
Dating safely in New Zealand
- Somewhere public. Meet somewhere public for the first time, a cafe on the waterfront or a busy beach path, and tell a friend your plans. Keep chatting on ExpatSingles until you have met: you will see a warning if someone asks to move to WhatsApp or a similar app.
- No money, no card details. New Zealand Police advise never sending money to anyone you met through a dating site and never giving out your bank or card details. If someone asks you for money, tell the site and stop replying.
- Where to report. Report a scam to the police on 105, by phone or online, and online scams to the National Cyber Security Centre. Netsafe gives free advice on online safety. In an emergency, call 111.
What ExpatSingles costs in New Zealand
Joining and browsing your suggestions cost nothing in New Zealand. VIP and VIP Plus are billed in New Zealand dollars; the table also gives each longer plan per month.
| Plan length | VIP | VIP Plus |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week | NZ$24.99 | NZ$27.99 |
| 1 month | NZ$49.95 | NZ$72.81 |
| 3 months | NZ$114.95NZ$38.32 a month | NZ$179.87NZ$59.96 a month |
| 6 months | NZ$199.95NZ$33.33 a month | NZ$256.89NZ$42.82 a month |
| 12 months | NZ$239.88NZ$19.99 a monthpaid once | NZ$416.62NZ$34.72 a monthpaid once |
Shorter plans, up to six months, keep renewing until you cancel. The 12-month plan is charged in one payment and does not renew. What each membership includes.
Dating in New Zealand: what newcomers ask
What is dating in NZ like for expats?
Dating in NZ for expats is relaxed and often outdoors: a coffee by the water, a walk on the beach or a short hike. People are friendly and informal, and many members are newcomers themselves.
Where do expats in New Zealand live?
Expats in New Zealand live mostly in Auckland, which has the largest overseas-born population, followed by Wellington, Christchurch and Hamilton. Your suggestions follow the town and distance you set.
How much does ExpatSingles cost in New Zealand?
ExpatSingles costs nothing to join in New Zealand. VIP is NZ$49.95 a month there, or NZ$239.88 paid once for twelve months, which works out at NZ$19.99 a month.
Do free members get to send messages?
Free members do get to send messages: a few every day, as well as replies to VIP members, and they can join the group chat rooms once their profile is verified. VIP lifts the limit.
Where can I report a dating scam in New Zealand?
You can report a dating scam in New Zealand to the police on 105, by phone or online; online scams also go to the National Cyber Security Centre. In an emergency, call 111.
More from ExpatSingles
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