Work in New Zealand
Live the high life as a lift attendant in Queenstown, play the field fruit picking in Hawkes Bay or cause a stir working as a barista in Wellington. Work for up to 23 months with a New Zealand working holiday.
Why do a working holiday in New Zealand?
Home to ice-carved peaks, cloud-hitting waterfalls and miles of empty golden beaches, New Zealand is spellbinding. Which is appropriate given that until recently, the country had its own national wizard. (Not Gandolf, his name was actually Ian and he lives in Christchurch).
But it’s not just the filmset Lord of the Rings landscapes that make New Zealand such a magical place to live and work. Small and proud, New Zealand has an inspirational culture, outdoor lifestyle and laidback outlook that makes travellers form a lifelong connection – arriving as visitors and leaving as locals. Plus, the NZD $20 an hour minimum wage, chance to work a ski season, and national obsession with pies doesn’t hurt either.
The BUNAC working holiday compatibility quiz
1. Do you laugh in the face of formal polyester workwear and dream of working in flip flops/beanies/snapbacks
2. Are you interested in afterwork activities such as skiing, surfing and wine (legit an activity)
3. Do you quite like your home friends, but would like awesome new traveller workmates
D. Would you like to be better at lettering or numbering lists
If the answer is mostly yes, then you’re the perfect candidate for a New Zealand working holiday.
The need to know before you go
Who can apply
You must be aged 18-30 (18-35 for some nationalities) to apply for a New Zealand working holiday visa. The visa allows you to work for up to 12 months depending on your nationality, with the option for UK and Canadian citizens to apply for a 23-month visa. You’re only allowed one visa per lifetime, although it is possible to apply for a three-month extension if you do harvest work during your visa.
Type of work
New Zealand working holiday visas give you the freedom to work anywhere and in any industry, meaning you can find a job to support your chosen career or casual work to fund your travels. As a small country, jobs can be competitive – especially in high season. We connect you with employers who are used to hiring working holidaymakers for all kinds of work, from fruit picking and ski seasons to hospitality and labouring.
When to go
New Zealand is a year-round destination. The summer months (Dec-Feb) are high season, bringing with them seasonal hospitality and tourism jobs to help cater for the crowds. By June, it’s gearing up for ski season with resort work opening up on both islands. Shoulder season (March-May and Sep-Nov) are great times to explore between jobs – with cheaper accommodation and fewer campervans on the road.
Where to go
When you can cover off most of New Zealand in 4-8 weeks, there’s no need to limit yourself to the North or South Island. (Plus, we’re unwilling to choose which is our favourite child). Both have epic skiing, surfing, wine and wildlife. Get your travel fix exploring both islands before settling down to work, or alternatively, most hop-on hop-off bus passes are valid for a year – meaning you can hop off and work when you need to.
Who can apply
You must be aged 18-30 (18-35 for some nationalities) to apply for a New Zealand working holiday visa. The visa allows you to work for up to 12 months depending on your nationality, with the option for UK and Canadian citizens to apply for a 23-month visa. You’re only allowed one visa per lifetime, although it is possible to apply for a three-month extension if you do harvest work during your visa.
Type of work
New Zealand working holiday visas give you the freedom to work anywhere and in any industry, meaning you can find a job to support your chosen career or casual work to fund your travels. As a small country, jobs can be competitive – especially in high season. We connect you with employers who are used to hiring working holidaymakers for all kinds of work, from fruit picking and ski seasons to hospitality and labouring.
When to go
New Zealand is a year-round destination. The summer months (Dec-Feb) are high season, bringing with them seasonal hospitality and tourism jobs to help cater for the crowds. By June, it’s gearing up for ski season with resort work opening up on both islands. Shoulder season (March-May and Sep-Nov) are great times to explore between jobs – with cheaper accommodation and fewer campervans on the road.
Where to go
When you can cover off most of New Zealand in 4-8 weeks, there’s no need to limit yourself to the North or South Island. (Plus, we’re unwilling to choose which is our favourite child). Both have epic skiing, surfing, wine and wildlife. Get your travel fix exploring both islands before settling down to work, or alternatively, most hop-on hop-off bus passes are valid for a year – meaning you can hop off and work when you need to.
BUNAC presents You in ‘22
The new you lives and works in New Zealand. Your working holiday ride or die, we put in the hard work – so you don’t have to. Our Work New Zealand program includes visa assistance, comprehensive job support, arrival accommodation and everything you need to hit the ground running.
How to go
Life’s too short for figuring out tax file numbers and visa forms. Our Work New Zealand packages take the stress out of applying for your visa and finding a job.
7-day Ultimate New Zealand
Spend your first week with travellers just like you. Includes all the Essential work support inclusions, but with 6 nights’ accommodation, 3-day Bay of Island tour, nights out and more.
4-day Essential New Zealand
Get a head start on the competition when you land. Includes your visa, arrival transfer, 3 nights’ Auckland accommodation, detailed job-hunting, IRD (tax) number, bank account and more.
Kickstart New Zealand
The basics you need to start legally working in New Zealand. Includes your visa, pre-departure visa application support, New Zealand bank account set up and IRD (tax) number set up.
Why BUNAC
We don’t just sell the dream, we live it. 90% of our team have done working holiday visas. Book with travellers who know their stuff.
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We help you to apply for your visa and include all the working holiday essentials such as your IRD (tax) number. |
We take the stress out of finding a job, connecting you with the best in-country partners to help you find work. |
Friendly faces away from home, our BUNAC team in Auckland are on hand to support you for the whole of your visa. |
Travel with confidence
Total peace of mind with our Booking Guarantee
Book with a deposit and pay eight weeks before you fly
24/7 emergency help and support at home and abroad
60+ years of work, learn and intern abroad expertise
From the blog
Working holiday in New Zealand
“The year was without a doubt the best my life. I've experienced more than I ever have before and learnt so much about this beautiful place while making friends from every corner of the world.” Exactly what she said.
Chris’ New Zealand working holiday
Top 6 things to do in Auckland
Working holiday in New Zealand
“The year was without a doubt the best my life. I've experienced more than I ever have before and learnt so much about this beautiful place while making friends from every corner of the world.” Exactly what she said.
Chris’ New Zealand working holiday
Top 6 things to do in Auckland
