Accomodation in Auckland

In Auckland there are lots of backpacker hostels. For the price they charge you also can get private accommodation if you are lucky, but Auckland is overcrowded, at least at summertime from November to March.

Well, we found a double room for 78 Nz-Dollars a night in a backpacker hostel. We booked it because the place was very central. When we entered the hostel we asked ourselves immediately why hostels must be like this: old, rotten, very used, no new paintings, simply ugly.

 Some plants or curtains that are not torn would make the hostel nicer. The plastic sofas in the entrance hall were all ripped open. The staff tried to keep the hostel clean and I think also the guests did their best leaving the place tidy after using (the kitchen, for example).

Why is it not possible to create a nice cosy place for students with low budget? The students try to safe their money by eating only bread and marmalade and cannot afford staying in one of the expensive hotels here in Auckland.
The backpacker hotel also charges fees for internet, 1 Nz-Dollar an hour, although Auckland offers on some places free internet access for 1 MB a day ( public library for example). We think this is a main reason because the library is haunted by students, tourists and people of all age.
To stay longer in Auckland means you need to hire an apartment or to share it with students. Also something expensive. There are links like

Trade me and easyroom are two of the most popular where you can find flats to share with other students, mostly with extra costs of electricity, water and internet access. If you do not want to pay the high prices in the center, you must pay a bus ticket, monthly ticket 200 Nz-Dollars for zone A and B ( new prices starting on February 28th). These two zones include airport and nearly all districts, bus and train.