Let’s be honest: ever since you saw Lord of the Rings, you’ve been dying to visit the “Real Middle Earth.” There’s no shame it in, New Zealand’s epic landscapes need to be seen to be believed! Add in quaint hillside houses, a literal shitton of sheep, and a bunch of friendly folks in gumboots and jandals, and you’ve got yourself a totally dreamy destination. Being a tad on the expensive side, a working holiday in New Zealand is an amazing way to explore this isolated island in the South Pacific without watching your bank account dwindle. Goodbye, Northern Hemisphere—Hello, fully-funded travel!
It’s hard to hate Monday’s with sweeping views like this.
What is a working holiday?
What may sound like an oxymoron (work on your holiday?!?) is actually a opportunity to learn critical life skills, make some moolah, and explore a new corner of the world. #cha-ching! The idea is simple enough: a visa that allows you to travel and be employed for one or two years. That could mean working your butt off for the first month, and then traveling cheap on what you earned. It could also mean 12 months of big earning and big spending. For the particularly work averse, it could even mean doing very occasional odd jobs while focusing on traveling the country.
[Get matched with working holiday programs in New Zealand]
You definitely want a working holiday in New Zealand (even if you don’t know it yet)
“Are you saying what I think you’re saying? I can really work and travel in New Zealand?” Yep, that’s the long and short of it. Is there anything better than travel without an endpoint – clicking “Book” on a one-way ticket and following your feet and your heart where they lead you? A New Zealand working holiday visa guarantees you a few months to a few years of exploring and getting paid in the notorious ‘land of the long white cloud’ (or Aotearoa in te reo Maori).
Let’s break it down into bullet-points for those who are already in Hobbiton dreamland:
- New Zealand working holiday visa jobs are fun and plentiful. Finding a job and accommodation in New Zealand are both fairly straightforward, especially in entry-level industries. Not having experience isn’t a deal-breaker, so long as you have a good attitude and hearty work ethic. Once you nail a New Zealand working holiday job, count on plenty of time to chill and discover all this beautiful country has to offer. Work-life balance is mui importante to Kiwis; they don’t just want to enjoy the scenery from their office windows!
- Everybody loves Kiwis (the people, the fruit, and the national bird). Most New Zealanders (lovingly called "Kiwis") are also travelers, so they know just how to welcome you to their homeland and are eager to share what makes New Zealand so special. Manaakitanga (the spirit of welcome) runs deep in Kiwi hearts.
- PENGUINS! Yes, there will be penguins on your working holiday in New Zealand.
Working holidays in New Zealand are fern real.
How to get a working holiday visa for New Zealand
The New Zealand working holiday visa process is surprisingly simple, and can be completed 100% online. But first things first: Are you over 18 and under 30 with citizenship in a qualifying country? Passport holders of 29 countries – including Canada, the United States, the states of the European Union, and a number of Latin American and Asian countries – are eligible to apply for working holiday visas in New Zealand. (If you’re not sure if your nationality is on the list, browse the embassy directory for further info.)
Note: The NZ government offers a few special working holiday visa perks, depending on the color of your passport. Nationals of a select few countries can be up to 35 years old, and UK and Canadian visitors can get New Zealand working holiday visas for 23 months (instead of 12). Some lucky countries (like the US) have unlimited visas available each year, whereas others can be quite competitive. If you’re in the latter category, make sure to get your application in early, and give it that extra oomph!
Meet the basic New Zealand working holiday visa requirements above? Great! Let’s talk business.
To begin your New Zealand work visa application, navigate to the Immigration New Zealand website to start an application by creating an account. The application will ask for the usual personal information, as well as an indication of what you plan to do in New Zealand (field of work, relevant skills, etc.) Once you’ve dotted your i’s and crossed your t’s, hit submit, and wait for the “Come on down!” confirmation email in your inbox within a month.
[Compare working holidays side-by-side with MyGoAbroad]
Understanding the New Zealand work visa requirements
What is the status of your New Zealand working holiday visa eligibility? Despite the laid-back nature of work in New Zealand, getting a New Zealand work visa will take a bit of effort. Nothing you can’t handle, though, of course! Where there’s a will there’s a way, and by now, you’ve got both, mate.
Even the city views are gorgeous. You just can’t go wrong!
New Zealand work visa requirements:
- Proof of finances to live off of while in New Zealand. This amounts to a statement showing at least $4,200 NZD (roughly $3,000 USD) in your bank account. For help raising funds, check out GoFundMe or GoAbroad’s Travel Scholarship resources.
- A return ticket or additional finances to buy one. As a remote spot at the end of the world, the Kiwi government wants to make sure you won’t get stuck Down Under.
- Proof of English language proficiency. If you’re from an English-speaking country, like the US or UK, this is proof enough. If English is not the first language of your home country, you’ll need a passing score from internationally-recognized ESL exam. #CsGetDegrees No worries if your English isn’t perfect; a working holiday in New Zealand is a great way to sharpen your language skills.
- Higher education. New Zealand work holiday requirements dictate that you should either be enrolled or have completed a secondary school degree at the time of application.
- A medical exam and chest x-ray. If you have been in a country with tuberculosis (most of Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe), New Zealand requires a chest x-ray from an approved physician.
NOT New Zealand work visa requirements:
- An official job offer. In most cases, you will get a working holiday visa in New Zealand long before you arrive in country and begin applying for jobs.
- Citizenship from an English-speaking country. New Zealand is happy to have nationals from many non-English-speaking countries, so long as you are able to communicate in English.
Once you’ve arrived in New Zealand on a working holiday visa, remember that you can accept any savvy position offered to you, but you may not accept a permanent job. In fact, you cannot work for one employer for more than six months. Part of the New Zealand working holiday visa scheme is that work should be your secondary intention for visiting the country. YES, you heard that correctly – you are legally required to prioritize travel while on a New Zealand working holiday visa!
[Working Holiday Visas: Are You Qualified?]
Your weekend warrior game has never been stronger.
Ok, but what about the New Zealand working holiday visa cost?
“Yeah, sure. That all sounds great. But can I afford it?” With some budget finagling, yes. you. can! There are a number of costs associated with traveling to New Zealand on a working holiday visa: flights, medical exams, in-country cost of living, and of course the visa itself. The New Zealand working holiday visa price visa depends on the passport you are applying with, but generally ranges from $20-$200 USD.
Once in New Zealand, expect to make about what you would in the US, Canada, or Europe. Most employment available to those on New Zealand working holiday visas is seasonal or temporary, so it is rare to make more than minimal wage, $15.75 NZD (roughly $11 USD). And cost of living is on-par or more expensive than other Western countries. In other words, jobs in New Zealand are not lucrative, but you can certainly make enough to live.
If your goal is to work and make new friends while exploring a new country, the New Zealand working holiday visa is for you. If, on the other hand, you’re looking for a ‘get rich quick’ scheme down under, New Zealand won’t meet expectations. You (probably) won’t fly home on a private jet, but you’ll have plenty of lifelong memories.
These organizations will make your working holiday in New Zealand a reality
Getting yourself to the bottom of the world can be quite an undertaking. If you’re looking for some guidance, leave it to the experts to help you get settled. Like your own personal Fellowship of the Ring, these folks promise to bandish any metaphorical Saurons and aid you on your New Zealand working holiday quest.
1. Work and Travel New Zealand with InterExchange Programs
InterChange provides orientation and job placement support for American travelers to help them land on both feet during a working holiday in New Zealand. InterChange’s exclusive job board advertises temporary opportunities around the country.
- Popular jobs organized by InterExchange Programs: Agriculture, hospitality, office temping, au pair
- Recommended cities: Auckland, Christchurch
- Related: Read InterExchange Programs reviews | Visit their site
2. Adventure Work and Travel in New Zealand with Pure Exploration
Perfect for aspiring outdoor tour guides, in just 12 weeks Pure Exploration will get you trained and certified as a wilderness guide, with plenty of epic treks and outdoor adventures along the way.
- Popular job organized by Pure Exploration: Adventure Guide Internship
- Recommended cities: Queenstown
- Related: Read Pure Exploration reviews | Visit their site
Haven’t you always wanted to wear wellies in Wellington? (Even though in NZ they’re called gum boots…)
3. Work in New Zealand with BUNAC
BUNAC offers in-country logistics and job placement support to working holiday visa travelers. Their custom job board includes everything from strawberry picking in the Northland to office work in Fiordland National Park.
- Popular jobs organized by BUNAC: Hospitality, retail, office work
- Recommended cities: Tauranga, Kerikeri
- Related: Read BUNAC reviews | Visit their site
[None quite right? Find more of the best working holiday jobs New Zealand]
Even MORE resources to help you with your working holiday in New Zealand
Doing a New Zealand working holiday visa is an obvious choice, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t require some planning. Here are a few resources to help you find your way Down Unda:
- Get matched with programs using GoAbroad Online Advisor
- Compare your favorite working holidays with MyGoAbroad
- Top 5 Reasons to Consider a Working Holiday in New Zealand
- How to Find “Sweet As” Jobs in New Zealand
- How to Work Abroad: Words of Encouragement [VIDEO]
A working holiday in New Zealand is a (Milford) Sound investment.
A working holiday in New Zealand next year? Yup!
Whether you’re an avid LoTR fan or just a budget traveler looking for the next great adventure: a New Zealand working holiday will fulfill your wildest fantasies. Haere mai! (Welcome!)—Aotearoa awaits you with open arms.