A quick search shows that the average nz salary as of three days ago is $51,100 pa. From the calculator that results in $8350 paye tax. leaving $42,750.
Subtract $10,400 for rent
$7800 for food
$2600 for power/phone/gas
$2600 for petrol
$1000 for insurance
$1000 for WOF/Rego/Maintenance
and you're left with $17,350 discretionary = $333 dollars a week or $260 USD.
So if you were an average New Zealander just looking after yourself, and never went anywhere or did anything, you chose to rent a place for $200 a week (average for one bedroom flat is $245, 2 bdrm is $309) never went to the movies or bought a pie from the bakery, never drove to the beach for a weekend or bought Christmas presents for family, you could potentially save $17k p.a.
I feel sorry for anyone on less than the average wage.