Are you a Kiwi creator looking to build an engaged online community around your expertise? Skool might be the platform you’ve been searching for. In this comprehensive Skool Review NZ, we’ll explore how this innovative community platform is helping New Zealand entrepreneurs, coaches, and content creators monetise their knowledge and build thriving online communities.
Founded by Sam Ovens, a successful entrepreneur originally from New Zealand himself, Skool has quickly gained popularity as an all-in-one solution for community building, course hosting, and audience monetisation. This platform combines intuitive design with powerful features specifically suited for the needs of modern digital creators.
Skool Review NZ: Platform Overview
Skool is a purpose-built platform designed to help creators build engaged communities while monetising their expertise. Unlike traditional social media groups or basic course platforms, Skool combines community engagement tools with powerful monetisation features in one seamless experience. 
Key Features for NZ Creators
- Community Building: Create discussion forums, member directories, and engagement tools to build a thriving community around your expertise.
- Course Hosting: Deliver premium content through Skool’s native video hosting and course management system.
- Gamification: Boost engagement with points, levels, and leaderboards that keep members active and participating.
- Monetisation Tools: Offer paid memberships, one-time purchases, and tiered access levels to generate revenue.
- Mobile Apps: Engage your community on-the-go with dedicated iOS and Android applications.
NZ-Specific Integrations and Payment Support
For New Zealand creators, Skool offers several advantages that make it particularly suitable for the local market:
- NZD Payment Processing: Skool supports payments in New Zealand Dollars, making it seamless for your local audience to purchase your offerings without currency conversion hassles.
- GST Compliance: The platform provides options for GST-inclusive pricing and reporting, helping you stay compliant with New Zealand tax requirements.
- Zapier Integration: Connect with popular NZ business tools through Zapier, including Xero for accounting and local email marketing services.
- Webhook Support: For advanced users, webhooks allow direct integration with NZ-specific services and custom applications.
Skool Pricing in NZD
| Plan | Monthly Price (NZD) | Annual Price (NZD) | Features |
| Hobby | ~NZ$15/month | ~NZ$150/year | Basic community features, 1 admin, 10% transaction fee |
| Pro | ~NZ$165/month | ~NZ$1,650/year | All features, multiple admins, 2.9% transaction fee |
Note: Prices are approximate conversions from USD to NZD and may vary based on exchange rates. All plans include a 14-day free trial.
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Pros and Cons: Skool vs NZ Alternatives
How does Skool compare to other platforms available to New Zealand creators? Let’s examine the pros and cons when compared to popular alternatives like Kajabi, Thinkific, and Facebook Groups.
Skool Advantages
- Community-First Approach: Built specifically for engagement rather than just content delivery.
- Intuitive Interface: Clean, modern design that’s easy for both creators and members to navigate.
- Gamification: Built-in engagement features like points, levels, and leaderboards.
- Native Video Hosting: No need for external video platforms with additional costs.
- Affordable Entry Point: The Hobby plan is accessible for new creators at ~NZ$15/month.
- Mobile Apps: Dedicated iOS and Android apps for on-the-go community management.
Skool Limitations
- Limited Marketing Tools: Fewer built-in marketing features compared to Kajabi.
- No Advanced Quiz Features: Basic assessment capabilities compared to Thinkific.
- Transaction Fees: 10% fee on the Hobby plan may impact profitability.
- Limited Customisation: Fewer design options than some competitors.
- No Custom Domain: Communities are hosted on Skool’s subdomain unless you upgrade to Pro.
- Newer Platform: Less established than some alternatives with fewer third-party integrations.
Comparison with NZ Alternatives
- Community-focused platform
- Starting at ~NZ$15/month
- Strong gamification features
- Native video hosting
- Built-in monetisation
- NZD payment support
Skool
- All-in-one business platform
- Starting at ~NZ$250/month
- Advanced marketing tools
- Website builder included
- Email marketing included
- NZD payment support
Kajabi
- Course-focused platform
- Starting at ~NZ$75/month
- Advanced course features
- Limited community tools
- No native mobile app
- NZD payment support
Thinkific
For most Kiwi creators looking to build a community-based business, Skool offers the best balance of features and affordability. While Kajabi provides more marketing tools and Thinkific excels at course delivery, Skool’s focus on community engagement and more accessible pricing makes it particularly attractive for New Zealand entrepreneurs just starting their online business journey.
Step-by-Step Guide: Creating Your Skool Community in NZ
Setting up your Skool community is straightforward, even if you’re not particularly tech-savvy. Here’s how to get started as a New Zealand creator:
- Sign up for your free trial – Visit Skool.com and click on “Start Free Trial” to begin your 14-day test period with no credit card required.
- Set up your community profile – Create your community name, upload a logo, and write a compelling description that resonates with your target Kiwi audience.
- Customize your community structure – Organize your community into relevant topics or channels that make sense for your New Zealand audience.
- Create your first course – Upload videos, documents, and other learning materials to create valuable content for your members.
- Set up monetisation – Configure your pricing in NZD, including membership tiers, one-time purchases, or level-based access.
- Invite your first members – Start building momentum by inviting friends, colleagues, or existing audience members to join your community.
Setting Up NZ-Friendly Payment Options
When configuring your monetisation settings, you’ll want to ensure they’re optimized for your New Zealand audience:
- Set your currency to NZD – This eliminates confusion and currency conversion fees for your local audience.
- Enable GST inclusion – Configure your pricing to include GST for compliance with New Zealand tax regulations.
- Set up payment descriptions – Create clear payment descriptions that will appear on your members’ credit card statements.
- Configure payout details – Connect your New Zealand bank account to receive payments directly in NZD.
Monetisation Strategies for NZ Audiences
Skool offers multiple ways to generate revenue from your expertise. Here are the most effective monetisation strategies for New Zealand creators:
1. Membership Subscriptions
Recurring membership subscriptions provide predictable income and encourage long-term community engagement. You can offer different membership tiers with varying levels of access and benefits.
NZ Pricing Tip: Consider the average disposable income in New Zealand when setting your prices. Monthly subscriptions between NZ$15-50 tend to perform well for most niches in the Kiwi market.
2. One-Time Course Sales
Create and sell standalone courses on specific topics. This approach works well for specialized knowledge or skills that can be taught in a structured format.
NZ Pricing Tip: One-time courses typically sell well in the NZ$97-497 range, depending on the depth and value of the content. Consider offering payment plans to make higher-priced courses more accessible.
3. Level-Based Access
Utilize Skool’s gamification features to unlock premium content as members engage more with your community. This encourages participation while creating opportunities for upsells.
NZ Engagement Tip: Kiwis tend to respond well to community challenges and friendly competition. Consider creating NZ-themed challenges or leaderboards to boost engagement.
4. Hybrid Models
Combine different monetisation approaches for maximum revenue. For example, offer a base membership with additional premium courses available for purchase.
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Case Study: NZ Fitness Coach Earning $5k/Month
Let’s explore how a hypothetical New Zealand fitness coach, Sarah, built a thriving community on Skool that generates NZ$5,000 per month in revenue.
Sarah’s Kiwi Fitness Journey
Sarah was a certified personal trainer from Auckland who had built a modest following on Instagram sharing workout tips and nutritional advice. While she had a loyal audience, she struggled to monetise her expertise effectively.
After discovering Skool, Sarah created “Kiwi Fitness Collective,” a community focused on helping busy New Zealanders stay fit with minimal equipment and time commitment.
Community Structure:
- Free Content: Basic workout tips and community discussions
- Basic Membership (NZ$29/month): Weekly workout plans and nutritional guidance
- Premium Membership (NZ$49/month): Personalized plans and weekly group coaching calls
- One-Time Courses: Specialized programs like “6-Week Beach Body” (NZ$197)
Revenue Breakdown
| Revenue Stream | Members/Sales | Price (NZD) | Monthly Revenue (NZD) |
| Basic Memberships | 85 members | $29/month | $2,465 |
| Premium Memberships | 35 members | $49/month | $1,715 |
| Course Sales | ~4 sales/month | $197 one-time | $788 |
| Total Monthly Revenue | – | – | $4,968 |
Key Success Factors
- Local Focus: Sarah created content specifically for New Zealanders, including workouts that could be done at local parks and beaches.
- Community Engagement: She fostered a supportive community where members encouraged each other and celebrated wins together.
- Consistent Value: Sarah delivered new content weekly and was actively involved in community discussions.
- Strategic Pricing: Her tiered pricing structure made the community accessible while offering clear value at each level.
- Gamification: She used Skool’s level system to reward active members with exclusive content and recognition.
Sarah’s success demonstrates how Skool can be leveraged by New Zealand creators to build profitable online communities around their expertise. By focusing on delivering consistent value and fostering genuine connections, she built a sustainable business that continues to grow month after month.
Frequently Asked Questions: Skool Review NZ
Is Skool available in New Zealand?
Yes, Skool is fully available in New Zealand. The platform can be accessed by NZ creators and supports New Zealand dollar (NZD) payments. While the company is based in the United States, there are no restrictions for New Zealand users, and many Kiwi creators are already successfully using the platform to build and monetise their communities.
What are the tax implications for NZ creators using Skool?
As a New Zealand creator using Skool, you’ll need to account for GST if you’re GST-registered and your annual turnover exceeds NZ,000. Skool allows you to include GST in your pricing, but you’re responsible for filing your GST returns with the Inland Revenue Department. Additionally, income earned through Skool is considered business income and must be declared on your annual tax return. We recommend consulting with a New Zealand tax professional for personalized advice.
What internet requirements are needed to run a Skool community in NZ?
To effectively run a Skool community in New Zealand, a standard broadband connection with at least 10 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload speeds is recommended. For hosting live events or uploading course videos, a faster connection (30+ Mbps) would be beneficial. Most urban areas in New Zealand have sufficient internet infrastructure to support these requirements, but rural users may want to check their connection speeds before heavily investing in video-based content.
How does Skool handle cultural considerations for NZ audiences?
Skool provides a flexible platform that allows you to incorporate New Zealand cultural elements into your community. You can create content that acknowledges and respects Māori culture, use local terminology, and schedule events that accommodate New Zealand time zones. The platform itself is culturally neutral, giving you the freedom to customize your community to reflect New Zealand values and cultural considerations.
How does Skool compare to Facebook Groups for NZ communities?
Unlike Facebook Groups, Skool provides a distraction-free environment where your community isn’t competing with news feeds and advertisements. For New Zealand creators, Skool offers significant advantages including direct monetisation options, better content organization, native video hosting, and more control over member engagement. While Facebook Groups may have a lower barrier to entry (being free), Skool provides much more robust tools for building a profitable community-based business.
Can I transfer my existing community to Skool?
Yes, Skool makes it relatively easy to transfer an existing community. You can import member lists via CSV files or use Zapier integrations to automate the process. The platform also allows you to bulk invite members via email. For content migration, you’ll need to manually recreate your courses and discussions, but Skool’s intuitive interface makes this process straightforward.
Conclusion: Is Skool Right for Your NZ Community?
After thoroughly examining Skool’s features, pricing, and capabilities for the New Zealand market, it’s clear that the platform offers compelling advantages for Kiwi creators looking to build and monetise online communities.
Skool is particularly well-suited for New Zealand creators who prioritize community engagement and are looking for an all-in-one solution for hosting courses, fostering discussions, and monetising their expertise. The platform’s intuitive design, powerful gamification features, and flexible monetisation options make it an excellent choice for coaches, consultants, and content creators across various niches.
While Skool may not offer all the marketing features of Kajabi or the advanced course tools of Thinkific, its focus on community building and engagement at a more accessible price point makes it a compelling option for many Kiwi entrepreneurs. The ability to process payments in NZD and accommodate New Zealand tax requirements further enhances its appeal for the local market.
If you’re a New Zealand creator looking to build a thriving, engaged community around your expertise, Skool deserves serious consideration. With its 14-day free trial, you can explore the platform’s capabilities without any financial commitment and determine if it’s the right fit for your specific needs.
Ready to build your thriving NZ community?
Join thousands of creators worldwide who are using Skool to monetise their expertise and build engaged communities.
