Jenza Work New Zealand
Working holidays in New Zealand
‘If they’d only stop searching for that darn ring, they’d realise that JENZA makes getting your working holiday visa, moving to New Zealand and finding a job simple,’ muttered Gandalf.
New rules! UK passport holders can now work in New Zealand until they’re 35.
It’s a kind of magic
Why do a working holiday visa New Zealand?
Backpacker-friendly employers, a high minimum wage and spellbinding scenery – New Zealand is working holiday magic. A New Zealand 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, or grow your career or trade in Auckland, Christchurch or Wellington. Plus, Brits can now apply until they’re 35 and extend their visa for up to three years. (Millennials rejoice!)
The Jenza difference
Roadtested arrival week
We use our roadtesters’ experience to shape yours. Which is how we know your first week sets you up with everything you need to live and work in New Zealand.
Unlimited Job Hub access
The worst part of job hunting? All of it. Which is why we source and vet hundreds of jobs. Interview before you go, when you land and for your whole visa.
Yes to no stress
From applying for your New Zealand working holiday visa to included essentials like your tax number and New Zealand bank account – we work out the details.
18-35 years
Stay for up to 3 years
Visa cost included
Job before you go
Guided welcome week
NZD $22.70 minimum wage
£1,159
Green with envy
Work New Zealand | £1,159
We provide the working holiday visa, pre-arranged job and arrival support you need to live and work in New Zealand.
Starting in Auckland, spend the first week of your working holiday with travellers like you. With seven 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).
You can then head off to start your working holiday job. Or, hit the road to explore, picking up vetted jobs on our Job Hub as you travel. (Oh yeah, we also include a car and camper buying workshop in your first week. Thought. Of. Everything).
About the visa
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Who and for how long
As of July 2023, if you’re a UK passport holder, your working holiday visa New Zealand allows you to stay and work for up to three years. JENZA will process your initial 12-month visa, which you can then extend while you’re away. If you want to apply for a three-year visa off the bat, you’ll need to supply a medical certificate and additional information. Speak to our team about the options and process.
You must be 18-35 (inclusive) to apply – meaning you must submit your application before your 36th birthday. Visas are issued electronically, take between XX and XX days, and 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) and post-pandemic, jobs to fill.
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 – especially with up to three years with the same or multiple employers to build up your experience and skills.
Departure dates
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Auckland arrival week
Our seven-night welcome week starts in Auckland and is run by our JENZA HQ. You'll then head up to the Bay of Islands with our legendary sidekicks, Kiwi Experience. For the full itinerary, head to the In-country inclusions tab below. If you're arriving early and need extra bed nights, just let us know.
2024 dates 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
(Visa included)
Jen-setter benefits
Plus, these JENZA community perks
Free (or close to free) stuff Our favourite F word. Score hundreds of overseas discounts with our virtual JENZA X IYTC card.
Earn extra cash Shot it? Share it. We pay for blogs, vlogs, images and videos. DM us on Insta and send us a pitch.
Ask an alumni Hear from people who've been. We try to have an alumni on every pre-departure call to answer all your questions.
Find a friend Meet people like you. Connect with travellers arriving at the same time on our JENZA Discord group chats.
Visa inclusions
Cost and visa processing all in
No drama visa inclusions. We make life easy by applying for your New Zealand working holiday visa for you.
Once you’ve checked your eligibility in the tab above, we’ll send you a simple form to fill out. You’ll be issued with a 12-month visa initially, that you can then extend for up to three years while you’re away.
Your visa cost is included in the Work New Zealand price. We don’t charge a fee to apply for your visa, but if you’d rather apply yourself or already have it sorted but want all the good stuff from the JENZA welcome week – we’ll take the visa cost off your price.
Job inclusions
Unlimited pre-vetted working holiday job
Secure a job before you go on our JENZA Job Hub, and travel happy knowing you can start earning straightaway.
Our Dream Jobs team scour the planet finding employers who are looking to take on working holidaymakers right now. They’re pre-vetted to make sure everything is legit, and as soon as you’ve paid your deposit, you’ll get access to our online Job Hub where you can start searching and applying for jobs.
If you’d rather wait until you land, your welcome week includes job workshops with our JENZA team in Auckland. You’ll also have access to our Job Hub for the duration of your visa.
Scroll the page to check out some of our New Zealand job openings.
Pre-departure inclusions
Expert advice from people who’ve been
On top of being at the other end of an email, phone or video call throughout the booking process, we also include a group call with a live Q&A before you go to answer all your questions.
Your working holiday ride or die, our JENZA Support Squad have all worked the world so are here for firsthand advice on moving abroad. We're also mental health awareness trained, which means we know how to connect like humans – not customer service bots.
In-country inclusions
Welcome week with 7 nights' accommodation
Great for groups, couples and solo travellers, your first six days are run by our in-country JENZA team. Sure, we’re all about getting you set up with the job, housing and admin stuff you need to start working. But we’re also about giving you insight into the country we love and the indigenous culture we care so passionately about.
Run by our legendary sidekicks, Kiwi Experience, your final three days are about getting out of the city and exploring some of New Zealand’s iconic and hidden spots – returning to Auckland on day 8.
Auckland inclusions Shared airport transfer | 5 nights’ in LyLo hostel | city walking tour | work and travel workshops | Auckland ferry to Devonport with group dinner | 3-day Bay of Islands trip with 2 nights’ hostel accommodation in Paihia | Whangarei, Haruru and Rainbow Falls | Kerikeri town and farmers’ market | scenic hikes and bush walks | some meals and drinks
Work essentials
Tax number, bank account and more
This is all the un-sexy stuff, but essential and legal stuff you need to start working in New Zealand. There’s admin days in your welcome week where the team will help you set everything up.
- IRD (tax) number
- New Zealand bank account
- SIM card
Book now pay later
- Secure your spot with £100 deposit
- Second payment of £300 due before we can issue your working holiday visa
- Balance due 12 weeks before you fly.
Already have your visa? We don’t charge extra to process your visa, but if you’d rather apply yourself or already have it sorted – we’ll knock the cost off your final balance.
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 overseas scholarship fund.
What’s not included
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.
So, what’s new with you?
A new age for working holidays
Only that the upper age for New Zealand working holiday visas has gone up from 30 to 35, and you can now extend your visa for up to three years! (UK passport holders only).
Some of our New Zealand employers
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Off to work we go
Work in NZ / Hiring now
Hiring: Good Group, Auckland and Queenstown
Jobs available: Various positions including Bar Staff, Chefs, Managers and more. Pay: NZD $24+/hour. Other good stuff: full-time or casual hours, paid training, 20% staff discount, generous tips, social jobs in fun locations in Auckland and Queenstown. Book Work New Zealand to apply.
Jobs available: Various positions including Bar Staff, Chefs, Managers and more. Pay: NZD $24+/hour. Other good stuff: full-time or casual hours, paid training, 20% staff discount, generous tips, social jobs in fun locations in Auckland and Queenstown. Book Work New Zealand to apply.
Work in NZ / Hiring now
Hiring: Whakapapa ski jobs, Mt Ruapehu
Jobs available: Various including Café Attendant, Food & Beverage Supervisor and Barista. Pay: NZD $23.15+/hour. Awesome perks: Including free season pass and subsidised staff housing. On the north slope of Mt Ruapehu in Tongariro NP, work the winter in one of the North Island's largest ski resorts. No downhill skills required! Book Work New Zealand to apply.
Jobs available: Various including Café Attendant, Food & Beverage Supervisor and Barista. Pay: NZD $23.15+/hour. Awesome perks: Including free season pass and subsidised staff housing. On the north slope of Mt Ruapehu in Tongariro NP, work the winter in one of the North Island's largest ski resorts. No downhill skills required! Book Work New Zealand to apply.
The North Island or South Island of New Zealand?
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 eight days worth of work admin, job searching and making-memories-for-life moments into a one-minute video.
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
The JENZA blog
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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?’
BUNAC Travel Services Ltd trading as “JENZA” is a company registered in England and Wales with company number 01391030 and registered address at 5 Richbell Place, London, UK, WC1N 3LA.