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Working Holiday in New Zealand

4.4(5 reviews)
Experience
Working Holiday
Destination
New Zealand
Duration
6 to 24 months
Ages
18 to 35

112 others looking at this too. Next opening is Feb 2025, with limited spots.

Book now, pay later. Cancel anytime.

Trip overview

New Zealand is a place for adventure seeking nature-lovers. This natural playground boasts raging rivers to raft down, towering peaks to climb, and a range of plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth. 

Supporting this incredible natural landscape are modern cities bursting with personality with all the urban conveniences you can imagine.

New Zealand is a world unto its own and would take a lifetime to explore fully – making it the perfect place for an extended Working Holiday trip. 

You could wing it on your own and hope for the best. But searching for a job in a foreign country with a dwindling savings account is risky. 

Do you have the right visa? Will you find a job? What if you have to return home with your tail between your legs? 

Luckily, we've been working on the solution since 2008 that close to 90,000 others before you have chosen, as the world's leaders in working holidays. What if you could instead:

So here’s what’s included to make your Working Holiday as life-changing as it should be: 

  • With our Money-Back Guarantee in place, receive a New Zealand Job Match before you even arrive* – year-round & all-done virtually from home (with no job fairs to travel to & compete at, unlike our competitors).
  • Land a job almost anywhere, from coastal towns to mountain resorts, with the largest network of partner companies loaded with perks like staff accommodation, ski passes + more!
  • Meet others before you go through our exclusive app. Join Global Traveller side-trips & meet-up events too.
  • Get help with flights, travel insurance, accommodation, visa applications & more.
  • Experience awesome tours & activities when you arrive to help you settle in.

Don’t spend 4+ weeks job hunting in a foreign country alone with no income. Travel smart, prepared and hassle-free. 

Most travellers book 6-12 months ahead, dates are flexible, but spaces are strictly limited, so start planning today!

Looking for even more? Check out our other Working Holiday in New Zealand (Plus) trip, which includes a 2nd country job match, epic side tours & even more support.

Inclusions

Tap to expand

Guaranteed job match pre-arrival*
Dedicated Trip Coordinator
Working holiday visa guidance
Personal Travel Concierge
Private airport transfer
3 nights hostel accommodation
“Welcome to NZ” virtual orientation
Local life essentials
Rangitoto Island ferry
Skywalk/Skyslide
Permanent accommodation resources
Ongoing local team support
Global Emergency Line
gWorld Access
Social
Global Academy
Marketplace deals

Just in case it’s not clear already, we’re not an employment or recruitment agency. Read more

Qualification

To qualify for this trip you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be between 18-35 years of age
  • Be a citizen of an eligible country
  • Have no criminal convictions in the past 5 years

Get more info!

Got questions or need to know more? Ask us here, we're online 24hrs Mo-Fr.

Trip details

Our Working Holiday trips are designed to help you find local, seasonal, employment as a means to fund your travels further. Our goal is to save you time, money, and stress while eliminating the risk of returning home early. Here’s how we do it: 

We’re on your side from the moment you get started. 

You’ll be assigned a Dedicated Trip Coordinator. They’ll guide you through the next steps and answer all your questions. They’ll also help you with pesky visas. No guesswork – only the right paperwork in your hands before you leave. 

Your Personal Travel Concierge will help with flights, insurance, and any add-ons you’d like for your trip. These are real humans too – no robots here. 

Once you arrive at Auckland Airport, there’ll be a car waiting to take you to your accommodation. Your included accommodation is 3 nights at a top-rated hostel in the centre of Auckland. You’ll meet other Global Travellers and you can relax and settle in, or go for a night out in your new home with your new friends. Or, if you’d rather recover from jet-lag, treat yourself and upgrade to a private room. 

And since you’re travelling smarter than the average one, you’ll be spending your first few days doing fun things like these awesome included experiences, instead of frantically running around town:

  • Rangitoto Island ferry – An included ferry ride to check out the volcanic Rangitoto Island – one of the Auckland skylines most iconic landmarks. 
  • Choice between: 
    • Skyslide: Experience Auckland like never before with a VR ride through glass tubes surrounding the city. 
    • Skywalk: Put your fear of heights to the test on a tantalising tour of the Sky Tower high above the city skyline. 

Your first few days are all about getting set up in your new home so things go as smoothly as possible. We’ll help you with all your local life essentials, including:

  • A local SIM card with plenty of data and credit for your first month. So you can stay in touch with your new friends and employers, get an Uber late at night, or send messages back home. 
  • Help setting up your New Zealand bank account. Exchange rates? Withdrawal fees? Forget about it. With a local bank account you’ll earn - and spend - in the local currency. Saving you money and hassle in the process. 
  • Help getting an Inland Revenue Department Number which you need to work in New Zealand. This is a requirement for employment in New Zealand. This can be a long, tedious process. It’s best to listen to the Global team for tips and tricks on how to get this done as easily as possible. Yet another reason why having our local Global team on your side saves you time and stress.

Finding a job on a Working Holiday is one of your main challenges. You’re competing with a bunch of travellers on the same mission as you. Plus – not all businesses hire travellers. 

Which is why we maintain relationships with a huge network of pre-approved local businesses who do hire travellers just like you! (Just one more reason our competitors can’t keep up).

So that’s your job & income sorted, but what about accommodation? If your host company doesn’t provide any staff accommodation (which is an amazing perk and usually given to those who get in early enough), our in-country team will provide you with all the guidance and assistance needed to find a safe, comfortable and affordable place to call home, don’t worry!

Either way, we’ll be in touch during your trip to make sure everything is going smoothly. If you have any questions or concerns we’re one quick message, DM, email, or carrier pigeon away. 

And if there’s an emergency, you can use our Global Emergency Line (24 hours, Monday to Friday) for anything urgent. This line is managed by real Global employees at our offices around the world. 

Our team is well travelled so you can rely on our experience. 

The first step can be the hardest, but we make sure every step after that is easy. So stop dreaming, start doing, and let’s turn your New Zealand Working Holiday dream into reality.

Requirements

To qualify for this trip you must meet the visa requirements, and have 6 months of paid work experience by time of arrival.

What extra costs will I have?

Flights, travel insurance, visa, criminal background check, souvenirs & spending money.

Trip itinerary

Before you leave

Most travellers have their job interview before they’ve left home. So it’s just a matter of packing your bags, bidding farewell to your envious friends and family, then sit back and enjoy the ride down! 

Arrival

When you arrive at the Auckland Airport, a driver will be waiting to take you to your accommodation. You’ll be staying in a top-rated hostel in Auckland for your first 3 nights. Spend your evening getting to know your new friends in your hostel or go out and explore what the nightlife has to offer.

Day 2

Time for your 'Welcome to New Zealand' orientation! You'll learn valuable information about your trip, important local resources, and can access this anytime throughout your entire trip! We’ll help you set up your bank account and Inland Revenue Department number so you can start working in New Zealand. You’ll get a local SIM card with loads of data and unlimited talk & text so you can phone home.

Day 3

Today’s the day for adventures. You’ll hop on a ferry to take a ride out to the volcanic Rangitoto Island to have a closer look at this iconic regular in Auckland’s skyline.  Next up: a dizzying perspective of the City of Sails. You’ll head up to the tippy top of New Zealand’s tallest building – 192 metres up with no handrails separating you from the drop – where you’ll prance around to get your adrenaline pumping (leaning over the edge while you rely on your safety harness, anyone?) If you have a fear of heights – don’t worry. You can do the Skyslide instead. A VR experience starting 186 virtual metres in the air and swooping around the city on an adrenaline-fuelled 360° virtual reality tour. You’ll zoom through glass tubes twisting and turning around the Sky Tower as Auckland stretches out below you.

Ongoing

After your first 3 nights in Auckland, it’s time to move on to your job placement.  You’ll work for 6 months, or more, before taking some time to explore. Plan a roadtrip with your new traveller friends you’ve met along the way.  We’ll constantly keep in touch with you throughout your stay. If at any point during your trip you need advice or support, our local team will be on hand to answer all your questions. Remember, you can jump on our social media pages too or buzz our emergency line (24 hours Monday-Friday) for urgent matters. Stay connected with Social, where you can reach out to your Community Manager, stay updated with events happening in the country and chat with Global Travellers near you.   

Working Holiday jobs & locations in New Zealand

Land an entry to mid-level job in New Zealand which will be fun and social, so you can make friends, learn new skills and have the freedom to explore new places. Located all across the country, you can expect to find a job in New Zealand in various industries, as we have a wide range of Partner Organisations. 

  • Hospitality like bars, cafés & restaurants
  • Tourism
  • Ski Resorts
  • Summer Resorts
  • Hotels & Lodges
  • Labour & Construction
  • Sales
  • + More

Important to remember: The host company decides who they hire and for what, so you need to be flexible & open minded. You’ll be matched with something you are suitable for.

 

From seaside towns to world-renowned mountain resorts and bustling cities in between, we’ve got connections to host companies dotted all over New Zealand, so you could find yourself working in any of these destinations. 

  • Auckland
  • Wellington
  • Christchurch
  • Queenstown
  • Rotorua
  • Dunedin
  • Mount Cook
  • Waiheke Island
  • Hawkes Bay
  • Hamilton
  • Nelson
  • + More

We'll try for your preferences, but locations are subject to availability at your time of arrival.

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Frequently asked questions

Why are you the best company to choose?

As the world’s leading gap-year and "work & travel" company, we pride ourselves on providing a premium service for Global Travellers. Choose from a variety of awesome experiences worldwide, and let us assist you with visas, pre-departure preparations, flights, insurance, and tours. Throughout your journey, our cool tech features will support you every step of the way. As a Global Traveller, gain access to gWorld, our personalised app designed to enhance your travel experience. Keep important documents and trip details handy, and take advantage of exclusive Marketplace deals, a vibrant social network, language learning resources, side trips, meet-ups, and more. It's like having all your favorite travel apps merged into one, but even better! But our support doesn't end there. With four international offices, over 100 dedicated staff members, a 24/5 emergency team, and the backing of over 90,000 Global Travellers who have turned their travel dreams into reality with us, rest assured you're in good hands. We also proudly boast the most and best reviews in the biz, and maintain a massive following on our social channels including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Embark on your next adventure with confidence and ease. Join us and discover the world in a meaningful way!

Are flights & insurance included?

While we would love to include flights and insurance in our trip packages, it is not feasible to have a fixed price due to the diverse destinations, trip durations, and individual coverage needs of our travellers from around the globe. However, once you register for the trip, we will assign you a dedicated Travel Concierge. They will work closely with you to arrange the ideal flights and insurance tailored to your specific adventure. Rest assured, our team is here to ensure you have a smooth and hassle-free travel experience from start to finish!

Why should I book now?

After the last unexpected disruption to travel caused by the..c word..people are now more eager than ever to venture out and explore the world, determined not to miss out on any experiences. Global Work & Travel works on a first-in-best-dressed basis. Booking earlier ensures that you don’t miss out on the best intake, season, placements and more! We recommend our travellers take 6-12+ months to plan their trip for a reason - to make sure you’ve got everything organised perfectly, stress-free. As a Global Traveller you’ll get exclusive access to gWorld, our personalised app where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global. This is where you will find exclusive Marketplace Deals, a unique social network to connect you with other like-minded Global Travellers, access to our Academy with an ever-growing range of skills & languages, and so much more. Think all of your favourite apps merged into one, but like, better? Why not give yourself something to look forward to by booking that trip!

Can I travel with a friend or partner?

Yes you can! Simply tell your Trip Coordinator after booking that your friend is also going and they can link your profiles. For most of our trips we should be able to have you and your friends placed together or nearby. Meaning that you can live, work, play & travel together! But wait there's more! Not only can you travel the world with your besties at your side, you can also earn some extra cash towards your own trip just by referring your friends to Global Work & Travel. You can learn more about the great referral rewards program inside your gWorld account once you join. And for those who decide to go-it-solo, we’ve made it easier to meet other Global Travellers in the same region as you. Just like any other social platform, you’ll be able to interact, share, chat and meet with some really cool people who are doing trips just like you!

Can I bring my pet along?

At Global Work & Travel, we share a deep love for animals and fully understand the special bond you have with your pet. We recognise the challenges of embarking on a trip without them. Due to travel restrictions, requirements, and limited pet-friendly accommodations among our host organisations, we regretfully cannot facilitate their inclusion in the journey. However, many of our customers choose to entrust their pets to a family member or friend, embark on their adventure, and return home to wagging tails and furry cuddles.

What happens if I need to cancel my trip?

We know that life can get in the way of travel, so all our trips come with a great deal of flexibility. In most cases, if you cannot travel on your selected date, you can place your trip on hold to deal with whatever is holding you back, and continue in the future without incurring any penalty. You may also have the option of transferring to an entirely different trip and destination as well, or even transferring your trip to a friend or family member. In the event that you need to outright cancel your trip, if you give us 84* days notice you can do so with only a 50% cancellation fee. Your refund of the balance will come in the form of a Store Credit which you can put toward any other trip that we offer, including tours through third-party providers, as well as holidays through DealsAway.com, and is valid for 2 years from date of issue. As international travel can be complex, your options are based on the progress of your trip organisation and our support team can assist you in finding the best solution for your needs.

How it works

1. Choose a trip style

Find your dream experience & destination, then secure your spot with a flexible & low deposit. Activate your gWorld to unlock some cool perks. Well done! The hardest part’s over!

2. We become friends

Book a time to meet your dedicated Trip Coordinator who knows all the ins & outs of your trip. They’ll be by your side and working behind-the-scenes to pull everything together.

3. Time to go!

We’ll get your tickets, accommodation & transfers ready. Our in-country team or partner will have everything prepared & waiting for your arrival. Get on the plane with no worries!

4. Global support

Never stress, knowing we’re there with you when you need us with ongoing & unlimited local team support. And just in case, we’ve got an emergency team on stand-by, 24 hours, Mon-Fri.

Still have questions?

Why go Global

Flexible trips

The unexpected can happen sometimes. Can't travel right now? Swap your trip, gift it or save it for later with our Lifetime Deposit Guarantee.

Worldwide support

Know that someone is always ready to assist throughout the journey & they’re only a call, tweet, comment, text or double tap away, 24/5.

We're the experts

With over 10 years in the industry and a team of over 90 passionate pros, you can bet we know our stuff better than anyone else.

Partner network

We have over 1,200 partners around the globe, so we have access to plenty of exclusive opportunities to make your trip the best it can be.

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Working Holiday in New Zealand