Inflation is high and prices are going up globally. New Zealand isn’t exempt from that. Although it peaked at over 7% in 2022, it’s still around 3%. These figures mean that everyone needs to budget. One of those ways is to spend less or look for less expensive options. You might not think that $10 NZD (US$5.60) would go very far—but you’d be surprised. For $10 or less, you can eat, drink, be entertained, get some culture, gamble, work out, and even soak in a hot spring.
Whether you’re a local or here to travel, here’s a breakdown, by category, of where to spend $10 in New Zealand and get value for it.
Eating and Drinking
For $10, you can eat and drink very well in many of New Zealand’s cafés, restaurants, and bars.
Breakfast specials can be found in most of the major cities. In Auckland, The Corner Kitchen and Bar has a $10 weekday promotion before 11 AM. $9.99 lunch specials pop up all over the country. Even KFC has a Colonel’s Wicked Pack lunch special for that price.
Pub happy hours are a staple in New Zealand’s nighttime entertainment. For a tenner, you can get a beer or a wine and a bar snack—that’s dinner taken care of.
Entertainment
Fancy seeing a movie? Every Tuesday at Hoyts is branded “Cheap Tuesdays,” and all movies are only $10. Those of you who prefer live theater should check out the local community theater groups. $10 is a standard ticket price for these shows. Professional groups like the Auckland Theater Company have a “pay what you want” night where $10 is the minimum entry.
Bowling alleys are all over the country, and with so much competition, there are plenty of offers around. Kingspin Queenstown has a “2-games-for-$10” offer during its low season.
Mini golf (known as putt-putt in New Zealand) is an entertaining way to spend a few hours. Renner Park Golf Club in Tauranga has a standard adult rate of $10, and Tipsy Putt in Hamilton also has that rate every Sunday.
Absorb Some Culture
New Zealand culture is unique and like no other place on Earth. Locals and tourists alike can learn more by visiting any of the 200+ museums and art galleries across the country. Kiwis, you’re very fortunate; places like the Auckland Museum and the New Zealand Portrait Gallery in Wellington are free for you, and for everyone else, you guessed it, it’s $10.
The National Army Museum in Waiouru, the Te Hikoi Museum, and the Bush Railway at Tawhiti Museum are also only $10 per adult.
Having a Flutter
Gambling is a popular pastime in New Zealand, and for $10, there’s quite a bit of fun to be had. For a possible instant win of up to $75,000 in prizes, grab a $5 Cashwords or Strike it Lucky scratch-off ticket from any newsagent. NZ Lotto tickets start at $1, so you could buy 10. You’d need to wait until Wednesday or Saturday night for your respective draws.
Online gambling, like sports betting or casino games, often has a $10 minimum deposit, which fits in perfectly with what you’re planning to spend. Sports betting platforms allow you to bet on rugby, cricket, football, basketball, and horse racing. For card players, there are plenty of sites to choose from, so take the time to compare 10-dollar deposit casino options for Kiwis before you decide.
Fitness and Exercise
Exercising in New Zealand is also possible for $10 or less. The Gallery Gym in Christchurch is open 24/7, and a casual day pass is $10. Racquetball players can hire a court at the Squash Courts in North Shore for 30 minutes for $10. For those of you with active kids, most swimming pools across the country have a child entry fee of $10, and for the little boxers, the Eastside Boxing at the Velodrome has a youth rate (14–17) of $10 as well.
Runners who prefer the safety of a stadium track over the local streets can head to One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch, where entry is $8.50.
Go Outdoors
New Zealand’s landscape is often referred to as epic, and when you go there, you will understand why. The best part is that the Department of Conservation (DOC) has ensured that much of it can be seen free of charge. The Washpen Falls trail in Methven is a hike through former volcanic activity. You can do it for free, but a local guide can accompany you, once again for that magical $10.
Meanwhile, the famous thermal hot springs in Rotorua are a major tourist attraction and are priced accordingly. Head south, though, and there are three parks with a $10 entry fee: Awakeri Hot Springs, Craters of the Moon, and Athenree Hot Springs.
The ski season in New Zealand runs for four months, and while it can be a pricey hobby, there are $10 bargains to be had. One neat offer is the $10 ski pass if you hold a season pass to another mountain. It’s an opportunity to spend a day in a different setting. Ski equipment is notoriously expensive to hire. However, accessories like helmets, gloves, jackets, and boots can be found around the $10 mark.
Fun Galore for Around $10
There you have it. Even if you’ve only got a spare $10, you could eat like a king anywhere you can find the right deal. Choosing your days carefully means you can enjoy entertainment like movies or mini golf for $10. Culture vultures can learn more about NZ with as little as $10. Grab a scratch-off ticket or play an online game where the minimum deposit is only $10. Exercise your heart out at a gym, pool, or stadium for around $10, and there are plenty of options for outdoor experiences for even less than that. Who knew you could do so much in New Zealand for so little?