Need to know / New Zealand
Everything you need to know about a working holiday in New Zealand
Henry Harvey
Jun 2023
Where epic scenery is your office view and adventure clocks in as your co-worker.
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It’s a kind of magic
Why do a working holiday visa New Zealand?
Home to backpacker-friendly employers, a high minimum wage and spellbinding scenery – New Zealand is working holiday magic. Your working holiday visa allows you to do casual or career jobs – giving you the flexibility to fund your adventures with ski season, vineyard or hospitality jobs as you travel - or settle down in the cities. Most European nationalities must be 18-30 or 35, and will be issued with either a 12-24 month visa.
The Jenza difference
Auckland welcome week
Arrival orientation including a 3-day Bay of Islands trip to settle in and get set up with everything you need to work in New Zealand.
Seasonal job support
Hit the ground/slopes running with the option to pre-arrange a ski job before you go (winter only). Plus, job and CV workshops when you land.
Yes to no stress
Visa guidance, arrival transfer, hostel nights, travel workshops, socials, and all the nerdy tax and bank account stuff included.
Is it for me?
18-30 or 35
1-2 year visa
Do casual or career work
8 nights' accommodation
Trips, workshops + socials
NZD $22.70 minimum wage
€1,095
Green with envy
Work New Zealand | €1,095
Starting in Auckland, spend the first week of your working holiday with travellers like you. With eight nights’ hostel accommodation, job workshops, day trips, nights out and a three-day Bay of Islands trip included – it's everything you need to start working in New Zealand. Plus, meet your future flatmate/vanmate/life partner (possibly).
About the visa
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Who and for how long
To be eligible for a working holiday visa in New Zealand, you must be aged 18-30 or 18-35 (nationality dependent). Which means you must submit your application before your 31st or 36th birthday. Most European passport holders will be issued with either a 12 or 24 month visa. For the full list of eligible passport holders and duration, check here.
Visas are issued electronically and typically take 2-3 weeks. Once approved, you have 12 months to enter New Zealand. You can apply year-round.
You don’t need to have a job lined up to apply for your visa, but you must be able to prove you have NZD $4,200 in support funds when you enter New Zealand.
Make it work
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Where and what you can do
Good times for working holidaymakers, New Zealand has one of the highest minimum wages in the world (NZD $22.70 an hour).
Your visa allows you to work anywhere in the country and pretty much do any type of job – from casual to career work. Typical working holiday jobs include working in hospitality, tourism, sales, retail and seasonal work such as fruit picking and working in vineyards (quietly does a responsible drinking ‘yay’). Hospitality and farm work often include discounted staff accommodation – making them a great option for saving money, making friends and living in epic locations.
You can also work in industries related to your career, education or trade – such as construction, finance, marketing, nursing, beauty and everything between. Here your earning potential will be higher.
Departure dates
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Auckland arrival week
2024 dates, departs Auckland
18 Feb | 03 Mar | 21 Apr | 19 May | 23 Jun | 21 Jul | 11 Aug | 15 Sep | 22 Sep | 13 Oct | 24 Nov | 01 Dec | 15 Dec
Our welcome weeks get booked out, so we'd recommend booking Work New Zealand with a deposit to secure your spot.
JENZA Work New Zealand inclusions
What's included
9 days starting in Auckland
Who's running the show
Great for groups, couples and solo travellers, your first six days are run by our in-country JENZA team and are all about setting you up with the job, housing and admin bits you need to start working. Run by our legendary sidekicks, Kiwi Experience, your final three days are about getting out of the city and exploring the Bay of Islands – returning to Auckland on day 8 for your final night of accommodation.
Everything that's included
- Instructions on how to apply for your New Zealand working holiday visa
- Job Hub access for ski positions (winter roles only)
- Detailed info on how to prepare for your time in New Zealand
- Group chat to meet other travellers also heading over to NZ
- Shared Auckland airport transfer
- 9 nights’ hostel accommodation (7n in LyLo in Auckland + 2n in the Bay of Islands)
- Job, accommodation, CV and trip planning workshops
- Bank account, SIM and IRD (tax) assistance
- AT Hop card to top-up and use on Auckland public transport
- Auckland ferry to Devonport with group dinner
- 3-day group trip to the stunning Bay of Islands trip with waterfalls, hikes and scenic stops
- 1 dinner and 2 drinks
Not starting work straightaway?
Get 10% off Contiki trips when you book with JENZA. Friends = benefits
Book now pay later
- Secure your spot with €115 deposit
- Balance due 12 weeks before you fly.
About our pricing
Our mission is to make working abroad more accessible. Meaning we do everything we can to pay our team, support our partners and make a profit – without screwing over the people who matter. Find out how our pricing works and the people involved in making your JENZA happen.
We also walk the walk, donating 5% of profits to our Youth Access Scholarship Fund
What’s not included
New Zealand visa fee
This is paid when you apply online for your visa and currently costs NZD $420.
Flights
We don’t recommend booking flights until your visa is approved.
Travel insurance
To cover against cancellation, we recommend taking out comprehensive travel insurance as soon as you book.
Support funds (NZD $)
You are required to show proof that you can access NZD $4,200 on entering New Zealand.
Travel you can trust
Our Extra Mile Promise
Every JENZA experience has been shaped by our Youth Advisory Panel, roadtested by our travellers, and backed by 60+ years of work abroad expertise. But if we still don’t rock your world, we’ll refund the part of your JENZA program you’re not happy with. T&Cs apply
North Island or South Island of New Zealand?
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Island living
The North Island
New Zealand’s North Island is home to larger cities, sunnier weather and around three quarters of NZ's population. With around 1.5 million people (out of a possible 5 million) calling it home, Auckland is usually the first port of call for backpackers and career-focused working holidaymakers. Known as the City of Sails, it has natural beauty and urban charms by the boatload – with a shimmery waterfront lined with yachts and rooftop bars, plenty of vintage and brunch filled neighbourhoods, and instant access to surf beaches and wineries. Wellington, the arty and cultural capital to the south, gives off famously creative and cosmopolitan vibes – with a craft brewery, co-workspace and creative agency seemingly on every corner. Equal parts white sand beaches, ski fields and vineyards – the North Island is also packed with seasonal summer jobs, harvest work and ski job ops for casual workers.
The South Island
Larger than the North Island but with only around one million inhabitants, the South Island is home to some of the most beautiful and dramatic scenery on the planet. With whale-filled waters, ice-carved fiords and Tolkien-esq landscapes that will make you want to cram your hairy hobbit feet into some boots go on a tramping trip (NZ word for hiking, FYI). But don’t let the Nat Geo scenery fool you into thinking there’s no life other than wildlife. Queenstown has one of the best food and wine scenes in the Southern Hemisphere and a legendary fresh-off-the-mountain bar scene. The university town of Dunedin to the south gives off comforting Celtic vibes – with windswept castles, rowdy bars and gigging students. To the north, Christchurch is a lesson in community and architectural innovation following the earthquakes of 2010-2011; while Nelson at the tip of the South Island is a bohemian enclave for artists, creators and makers.
The rundown
Your Auckland welcome week
What does your Auckland and Bay of Islands welcome week look like with JENZA? Watch as we try to cram nine days worth of work admin, job searching and making-memories-for-life moments into a one-minute video.
Friends = benefits
Unlock 10% off Contiki when you book with JENZA
Looking for a little pre or post trip action? We've teamed up with Contiki to bring you the ultimate work and travel dream team. Check your online account to access your 10% off code.
The JENZA blog
All the inspo and intel on life in NZ
You shaped travel
What our New Zealand roadtester had to say
Before you’re even let loose on one of our JENZA experiences, it’s trialled by either a JENZA roadtester or member of our Youth Advisory Panel. Because if it didn’t fly with them, it’s sure as heck not going to fly with you. Meet Henry, one of our Youth Advisory Panellists and Work New Zealand roadtester.
Who you gonna call?
Let's talk New Zealand
Get some facetime with our amazing JENZA Support Squad. When they’re not posing for pool pics, they’re making your work aboard adventures happen with their endless enthusiasm and mad traveller skills. These include: parent whispering, visa geekery and the ability to pack a backpack in 30 seconds flat.
More ways to work the world
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Did someone say ‘gap decade?’
JENZA Travel International Ltd is a company registered in Dublin, Ireland with Registered Company No. 707281 and registered address at 29-31 South William St, Dublin, Ireland, D02 EY96.