I’ve been in New Zealand for 6 months now and I’ve stayed in a good number of Airbnbs during that time! This blog post is all about highlighting the best I’ve stayed in, whilst on a budget, so that if you find yourself in New Zealand, you can stay there too!

Airbnb links are in the titles

1. Parnell – Auckland

Price Per Night – £90/$180 NZD

Securing accommodation in Auckland during the summer, for 2 months, can be stressful. The city is busy, hostels are full, hotels tend to be too expensive and to rent a flat usually involves a minimum 6 month contract. So, it was a pleasure to find and stay at this Airbnb and be hosted by Bill and Ashleigh and their 2 dogs Sam and Stella.

This Airbnb in Parnell is only 3 miles out from the city centre, however it feels like it is a world away, with it being just around the corner from the Parnell Rose Gardens and Parnell Baths. All within a 10 minute walk is the best fish and chip shop I have been to in New Zealand, a coffee shop, a restaurant, a grocery and a pharmacy.

2. Auckland CBD – Auckland

Price Per Night – £41/$82 NZD

An extremely charming month long stay in Auckland’s CBD.

Located on Parliament Street, this Airbnb is a 10 minute walk to Britomart – the main transport, shopping and dining area in Auckland city centre. The building faces the Auckland High Court and is a short stroll from the historic Albert Park and Auckland University. 

Although the building is old, similar to many of the other historic buildings surrounding it, it was comfortable and unique and the host was extremely helpful and friendly. I also loved the little fejioa tree in the garden!

3. Whangarei – Northland

Price Per Night – £60/$120 NZD

I wish I had longer here!

We arrived at this Airbnb in the dark and the pouring rain, after travelling 3 hours from Auckland on the first night of our trip around Northland. It was modern and super comfortable. In-fact, the bed was one of the comfiest I have slept in. In the morning, it was straight back out the door again, but it would have been the perfect place to spend more time, with a decking, full cooking facilities and washing facilities.

4. KeriKeri – Northland

Price Per Night – £99/$199 NZD

This Airbnb is part of a motel complex and even had its own outdoor pool. The room I booked also came with a jacuzzi bath which was well appreciated after a busy day exploring the Bay of Islands. A 5 minute drive away is a range of restaurants including the Black Olive, which served up a seriously good creamy chicken & mushroom fettuccine.

5. Donellys Crossing – Northland

Price Per Night – £108/$217 NZD

Again, I wish I had more time!

After travelling 6 and a half hours from Kerkeri to Cape Reigna at the top of New Zealand, and back down to Donnleys Crossing, we arrived at our Airbnb – Wild Forest Estate.

Wild Forest Estate offers 6 different accommodation options on their 35 acres of forested ground. The Airbnb I booked was the Tin Box – a converted shipping container. After arriving in the dark, we were greeted by our host Joanna, who took us, and our bags, up through the forest to our accommodation, on a golf cart (so don’t pack too heavy!) The cabin has no electricity for charging phones etc, but the lights are solar powered and there was a gas stove for cooking and boiling the kettle. There is an outdoor bath, hammock and fire and the night sky was filled with stars. You could even hear wild kiwis in the late evening!

This was a real, off the grid, eco retreat.

6. Okarua – Taranaki

Price Per Night – £45/$90 NZD

The best value for money Airbnb I have stayed in!

This Airbnb, a 15 minute drive from New Plymouth in Taranaki, was relaxing, peaceful and private. The host left robes, 2 bath bombs for the outdoor bath, chocolates, coffee, a wide variety of tea and 4 mini bottles of wine! Nearby to the Airbnb is the beach and a number of restaurants such as Serial Griller, which is located in a converted railway carriage!

7. Porirua – Wellington

Price Per Night – £59/$118 NZD

Spectacular sunny ocean views!

This Airbnb is also advertised as a Bed and Breakfast. It offers a spacious bedroom and bathroom on the top floor of the hosts home. The hosts also made us waffles for breakfast each morning! The room is filled with natural light and has views across to the ocean. A 5 minute, downhill walk to the train station allows an easy commute into Wellington city centre.

8. Christchurch – Canterbury

Price Per Night – £55/$109 NZD

Our Airbnb hosts in Christchurch were very kind and welcoming! We had the ground floor to ourselves in this Airbnb and access to the wooden hot tub outside. Our room also gave sweeping views over to Sumner Beach – I can’t imagine how insane this view is on a clear day!

Located in Sumner, this Airbnb is around a 15 minute drive from Christchurch city centre. A perfect city escape.

9. Hawea Flat – Otago

Price Per Night – £63/$127 NZD

Located around 15 minutes from Wanaka, this Airbnb is new, modern and super comfortable and had few other houses nearby to it. The Hawea Hotel was just under a 10 minute drive away, handy for a meal and a drink! It also has an outdoor seating area, perfect for a morning coffee.

10. Cardrona – Otago

Price Per Night – £75/$150 NZD

Similar to Auckland, Wanaka is extremely difficult to find accommodation in, especially during the winter season when people flock to the area for the ski season at nearby Treble Cone and Cardrona Alpine Resort. After failing to find anything in Wanaka itself, I was happy to stumble across the Boundary Creek Hut, located along Cardrona Valley Road. After living in the city, I was more than happy to spend a month in this little hut, well away from city lights, whilst we settled into the area and began new jobs.

The hut is a studio and was very cosy, with an electric blanket on the bed. 2 miles right along the road is the Cardrona Hotel and 10 minutes left along the road is Wanaka.