Insurance

When getting a mortgage most banks require you to have home owners insurance. This is to insure for damage to the house and a life insurance for the life of the mortgagee in case of death.

New Zealander's will usually have 5 basic sorts of insurance;

House (The house).

Contents (anything in the house).

Car (not compulsory).

Health (New Zealand has a great 'free' health system but people still have health insurance to avoid waiting lists and have treatment at private hospitals).

Life.

There are many insurance companies around New Zealand with differences in prices so, 'shop around'