Are you looking to have heaps of fun, meet other people, and have the best time of your life? If yes, then you should consider a working holiday visa to New Zealand.
The Working Holiday Visa Scheme is an agreement that allows young nationals of certain countries to work or study in New Zealand for up to a year. This is longer than a standard visitor’s visa.
Read through to learn the step-by-step process of how you can acquire your working holiday visa to New Zealand without stress.
Why Work In New Zealand?
New Zealand is the most populous city in Auckland with Wellington as the capital city. It is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean that attracts many travelers. Recently, Lonely Planet voted New Zealand as one of its top five countries in the world to visit.
New Zealand is a welcoming place, enrich with a blend of cultures, combined with geologically fascinating landscapes and unique flora and fauna, make New Zealand an exciting country to explore.
English is the predominant language in New Zealand, spoken by 95.4% of the population. New Zealanders are friendly and down-to-earth people who embrace the spirit of hospitality.
While working in New Zealand, you can also blow your budget on a wide range of exciting activities, from bungy jumping to skydiving to white-water rafting.
In fact, there are a million activities to choose from: you can skydive basically anywhere, and there’s caving, zorbing, transalpine hiking, paragliding, and so much more. There are many reasons why the country is considered a popular travel spot. There’s just so much to enjoy there.
Who Is Eligible For Working Holiday Visa In New Zealand?
If you’re between 18 and 30 (or 35 for certain countries) and are from one of the countries listed below, you could be eligible for New Zealand’s Working Holiday Scheme visa.
Congratulations! You have met the eligible criteria so you can go ahead and apply!
How to Apply For A Working Holiday Visa In New Zealand
To apply successfully for a work holiday visa in New Zealand, you have to choose a temporal visa.
Temporary visas allow you to live and work in New Zealand for a set period of time. Working temporarily can be used as a step towards gaining residence and settling there permanently.
There are a range of work visas for people that work in a profession that is experiencing skill shortages or have a job offer from a New Zealand employer.
As seen on the newzealandnow.govt.nz, “the Working holiday visa is designed for young people, aged 18-30 or 35, depending on Citizenship. This option lets you travel and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months, or 23 months if you’re from the UK or Canada.”
To qualify, you must meet the following requirements.
Getting your New Zealand working holiday visa might actually be the easiest part of the process so what’s next? The Job Market and accommodation.
What Are the Available Job market & key Industries In New Zealand?
Before you apply for a work visa to any country, you have to first, research the job market: Check if your skills set and qualifications are comparable to those that the country’s employers are used to. By doing this, you will not be left out on any available opportunity.
According to newzealandnow.govt.nz, the New Zealand job market has been strong over recent years, driven by the solid economic growth of around 3% annually. Reflecting that, unemployment hit a 10 year low in 2018.
New Zealand, has a lot of information that covers skill shortage areas, industry profiles, tips on job hunting, and more on the newzealandnow.govt.nz but, before you head on to the website, read below to know if you are eligible to apply for a work visa in New Zealand.
The kinds of work you’re most likely to get in New Zealand include:
What Are the best places to live and work in New Zealand?
Below are the four places that are extremely walkable, have efficient public transit, and are easily connected to other parts of New Zealand.
Wellington
Wellington is the New Zealand’s capital, known for its treasured Te Papa Museum, Botanic Gardens. This city has connections to Lord of the Rings—visit Peter Jackson’s production, Weta Cave, or hike up Mount Victoria where you can go to see a few spots that were featured in the films.
Auckland
Settling in on the North Island is quite affordable. With rents for a one-bedroom apartment averaging $1,085 to $1,234 a month.
The busy Auckland metropolis is mainly used as a base for road trips and day trips to the northern tip of the North Island, exploring Waiheke Island, and seeing sights around Hamilton, Matamata.
You can access the Māori art and culture, international food scene, funky nightlife along Karangahape Road (K Road), and charming cafés.
Queenstown
Queenstown is a nice place to be especially for those who love winter sport. There are varieties of sporting activities like skiing, snowboarding, bungee jumping, skydiving, and more activities to keep you busy.
There are alos beautiful views of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding snow-covered mountains, a happening international crowd, a rocking nightlife scene, and a nearby wine region in the Gibbston Valley. Accommodation in Queenstown is relatively high due to its remote location in the South Island. The average one-bedroom flat costing between $1,396 and $1,451 a month.
Christchurch
Christchurch city features sporting a thriving restaurant, bar, and museum scene. You can take yourself punting on the Avon river in a gondola, stroll through the Botanic Garden, then head to colorful New Regent Street for a coffee break before heading over to the Little High Eatery food hall.
Accommodation in Christchurch average $760 to $998 for a one-bedroom apartment, making it one of the most affordable cities to stay in on the South Island.
Housing Options In New Zealand
Housing options is another important consideration for Working Holiday Visa holders. Accommodations in New Zealand ranges from Apartments, Luxury accommodation, Farmstays to Holiday homes.
Apartments
If you want to stay in a major city or resort town, and seeking a quality hotel stay combined with the flexibility of self-catering facilities, then, Apartment accommodation is ideal for you.
In, Apartments, you can cook your own meals, do your own laundry and enjoy the feeling of having your own space while on holiday.
Many are similar in price to a high-quality hotel suite with daily or regular servicing and they’re perfect for couples, groups, or families. Some apartments have access to gymnasiums and swimming pools.
Apartments cost in New Zealand ranges from NZD $ 180.00 to NZD $ 500.00.
Luxury accommodation
Luxury accommodation in New Zealand cater to all interests and needs. You disconnect from the world in a remote beach front villa, alpine lodge or back country retreat, where the authenticity of the people and the unspoiled beauty of the landscape will refresh and excite you.
The cost of staying in a luxury accommodation is bigger compared to an apartment. If you can afford it, then, go for it!
Farmstays
Farmstays are a unique accommodation option if you want to wake to the smell of a hearty farmstead breakfast. It offers a real taste of rustic, authentic Kiwi farm life.
It cost between NZD $ 70.00 and NZD $ 500.00 to get a farm stay accommodation.
Holiday home
Holiday home accommodation is a great option if you’re traveling as a group or value having your own space and self-catering facilities.
The cost of renting a holiday home vary as no two homes are the same, and they range from simple cottages by the sea to luxurious lodges in the mountains. You can get a holiday home within the price range of NZD $ 400.00 to NZD $ 1590.00.
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