Helpful Travel Information - Work in New Zealand

BEFORE YOU BEGIN WORKING:

Open a New Zealand Bank Account

Most employers will pay your wages direct into a New Zealand bank account.

Get an IRD Number

Anyone who works in New Zealand requires an IRD number. To download an application form, visit: www.ird.govt.nz.

Working Holiday Visa

All travellers working in New Zealand require a Working Holiday Visa or Permit. You need to apply for this in your home country (with the exception of the Canada, Netherlands, Singapore and Malaysia). Despite what many backpackers think, you can't apply for a NZ Working Holiday Visa in Australia. For more information visit www.immigration.govt.nz.

FINDING WORK

There are a variety of different ways to find employment in New Zealand, ranging from searching the 'position vacant' section of the Saturday newspapers, using the internet or enlisting with a recruitment agency. Don't limit your experience to office work in the cities, there are many unique experiences to be had - from fruit picking in the country or working as an Au Pair for a family to bar tending in a ski resort.

TYPES OF WORK

Fruit Picking:

There's no denying it's hard work, but fruit picking is a great way to see the country and meet other travellers! New Zealand's main horticultural regions include Central Otago, Marlborough and Nelson in the South Island and the Bay of Island, Bay of Plenty and Hawkes Bay in the North Island.

Hospitality:

Most big cities have a decent amount of hospitality work ranging from bar service and waitering to kitchen work.

Resort work:

Working on a ski-field can be a great option. Around 1500 seasonal workers are employed over the ski season across the 12 commercial ski fields in the North and South Islands. Work can include hospitality, operating ski lifts or working in hotels.

Office Work:

Temping is a good way to earn money quickly. Most work is found in the larger cities and jobs available include personal assistants, bankers, sales, accounts, telesales, accountants and word processing operators.

Au Pair:

If you have experience with children and good references, being an Au Pair is a great way to experience life with a New Zealand family. You will usually receive free board and food as well as a wage.

Agriculture:

Experience life on a New Zealand farm! You can either do paid work or volunteer in exchange for board and food. WWOOF (Willing Workers On Organic Farms) is an organisation that can organise a host family for you.

Health Care:

There is a shortage of healthcare workers in New Zealand and contacting hospitals and recruitment agencies can often lead to employment. Nurses, doctors and therapists need to register in New Zealand and have prior experience.