Take your time and feel out the moving out process before you get there so you can make that plan ahead of time.

Great plan and congrats Dan!

A good thing to keep saving money and paying off your debt.
To access a rental here in Australia, an upfront fee of 7 weeks rent needs to be given to the rental agent. 4 weeks bond, 1 week's letting fee and 2 weeks rent in advance.
New Zealand does not allow a letting fee.
Depending on where you live, 1-bedroom flats are going for $400/ week in regional west coast.
Though there are units available in Canterbury below $250/week.
So the move in fee would be $250 a week x 6 = $1500.
Monthly rent would come to $1053.
Much cheaper than buying a home.
There are very few properties available under $500,000. To service such a loan would be up to $750/week.
A 20% deposit is typically required ($100,000).
First-home buyers may qualify for a 5% deposit ($25,000) through a Link:

Kāinga Ora First Home Loan https://kaingaora.govt.nz/home-ownership/first-home-loan/} scheme.
Though a yearly income of $95,000 is required to qualify.

Just something for you to think about.