Working Holiday New Zealand - Everything You Need to Know
VISA
Depending on the country you are from, there are different criteria you have to fulfill for being eligible to apply for a working holiday visa.
You can check this here:
Once your working holiday visa was granted, you're set to begin your adventure.
Also depending on the country you are from, the working holiday visa is at least 12 months long and if you do 3 months of seasonal work, you are eligible to extend your visa for another 3 months.
ENTRY TO NZ
If your working holiday visa was granted, visa wise you're ready to enter NZ. Apart from a visa, you will either need a flight ticket to leave NZ again or you need to have sufficient funds on your bank account to be able to buy a ticket to leave the country. If asked by the airline or immigration, you have to be able to show them proof.
TRANSPORTATION | AIRPORT - CITY CENTER
Most people fly into Auckland, some maybe Christchurch but either way, there will be some things you need to take care of in the first days.
AUCKLAND AIRPORT - CITY CENTER
To get from Auckland Airport to the city center, these are the 2 fastest options:
SKYDRIVE
This is a direct express bus service between the Auckland Airport and Auckland Center.
INTERCITY BUS
This is NZ's only nationwide bus network and it also connects Auckland's Airport with the city center.
CHRISTCHURCH AIRPORT - CITY CENTER
METRO BUS
You can use the Metro Bus network to reach Christchurch's City Center from the airport. Depending on where you wanna go, there are several bus lines. You can buy the ticket on the bus.
SIM CARD
The best coverage throughout NZ offers Spark. My recommendation is to get a Skinny sim card. Skinny uses the Spark network but is less expensive.
It's followed by Vodafone, now called OneNZ, but Skinny was a bit better in the remote places. All depends on what you're planning to do.
If you are not wanting to stay more than 3 months or are looking at starting at bit cheaper, Spark offers "NZ Travel Packs" that are valid for 3 months and turn out cheaper than other providers.
TAX NUMBER - IRD
If you want to work in NZ you will need a tax identification number, the IRD, so that you will be taxed accordingly once you start working.
Application for an IRD number is very easy and fast and you can do it online here:
OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT
In order to receive your salary you will need to have a bank account. If you don't want to open one in NZ, you can also use "Wise" but if you prefer to have an account at a local bank, these are the most popular banks travellers use. I can highly recommend Kiwibank from my own experiences.
- Kiwibank
- BNZ
- ANZ
- Westpac
The best thing is to compare the bank accounts online that they are offering in order to find the best fit for you (e.g. bank card fees, account fees etc.)
At some banks you can open a bank account online before arriving to the country but you will still have to pass by a bank branch once you arrive to NZ to confirm your identity and have the account fully set up.
HOW TO GET AROUND NZ
LONG DISTANCE BUS
The only bus network to travel around NZ is the InterCity Bus.
HOP-ON HOP-OFF
If you want to travel NZ by bus but having guides at the same time, the kiwi experience might be an option for you. Here you will travel in a small group with the same travellers during the journey based on a fixed itinerary. Accommodation is included as are some activities with the possibility of more optional activities.
There are lots of tours of different length and itineraries to choose from.
"Car Pooling NZ- Intercity Ride Sharing"
ROADTRIP
The most popular and best way to explore the country is by car/campervan. You can find all the best tips and everything you should know about roadtripping in NZ here:
JOBS
If you are looking for jobs, there are several possibilities. Employers advertise open jobs on Facebook and other websites.
Try looking for jobs in some of these groups:
Fruit Picking Jobs in New Zealand (for Backpackers)
New Zealand Working Holiday Visa BACKPACKERS JOBS
Backpacker Job Board: New Zealand Group
BACKPACKER JOBS NZ 🛠👷🏽♂️💰
Farm Work New Zealand (Backpackers)
Backpackerboard
Backpackerboard is a website where all kind of jobs all around the country are being offered. You can filter them to find jobs in your area and you can also apply directly through the website.
Seek
The Seek Website is also a great option to look for all kind of jobs in NZ.
Wine Industry Jobs
Of you are interested in the wine industry, you will find all the advertised jobs here:
Contact the company directly
Other than using the above mentioned websites it is always a very good idea to contact the companies directly or rather have a look at their own website where they usually list all the open jobs. This could be kiwi packhouses for example.
Wwoofing
If earning money is not your primary goal but you would like to have some unique and local experiences, you should try wwoofing.
Here you help out for a few hours daily in exchange for accommodation and food. It's a great way to save money while having all kinds of new and interesting experiences.
You can find lots of offers for free in this Facebook group:
Wwoofing New Zealand
Tip: also try searching with the words "workaway" and "helpx"
While using the Facebook groups is for free, the actual workaway and helpx websites require a paid membership if you want to use them.
CHEAP SHOPS
OP SHOPS
If you're looking for camping equipment or anything in general, the second hand shop, called OP shops in NZ, are the best I've ever seen. This should be the first place for you to check out. Every city/town has them and the prices are really cheap. I absolutely loved them!
Some OP Shops are:
Red Cross
Salvation Army
Hospice
Vinnies
SPCA
Savemart (just clothes)
OTHER
If you're not successfull at the OP shops, you can check Facebook marketplace too.
Otherwise Kmart is a great option as well. They sell everything and it is the cheapest store followed by The Warehouse.
FREE ACTIVITIES OR ENTRANCES
Some sightseeing places offer free or highly discounted entrance on your birthday so it's worth it to check it out wherever you are.
DISCOUNTS
If you're planning on doing any activitites like tours for example, you should definitely check out Bookme as they always have discounts.
SUPERMARKETS
CLUB CARD
Sign up for their points program and save on special offers that you only get with their club card. Scan it at the check-out and it will be discounted from the original price.
SUPERMARKETS
PACK'N SAVE
The cheapest supermarket in New Zealand but prices can vary a lot depending on the location.
COUNTDOWN AND NEW WORLD
New World is considered more expensive than Countdown but really it depends on the current offers they have. If you buy their own-branded products there shouldn't really be a price difference.
FRESH CHOICE
Usually more expensive than the others but sometimes the only option in smaller towns. They do have some other products though than the other supermarkets if you're looking for something different. Quality was always really good there.
FOUR SQUARE/SUPER VALUE
Like FreshChoice, smaller and more expensive supermarkets than the big chains but also often the only ones to be found in small towns.
RESTAURANTS
A lot of restaurants have special offers, like a burger and drink for $15 on several weekdays so that's when you can save money on food.
Also at some places you can sign up for their newsletter and in return you get special offers sent to you by e-mail (e.g. free fries, milk-shakes etc.). Some even give you a meal for free for your birthday.
Thank you for reading till the end!
I'm sure this helps you to get an overview on how to start your NZ working holiday adventure and I hope you feel better prepared now. Have the best time in NZ!🙂
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