Why Not Move to New Zealand For A Year?

How...? Get a Working Holiday Visa!

What is it?

A New Zealand Working Holiday Visa allows you to travel and work anywhere in the country, for a whole year! And no, you don't need a job offer beforehand. Just an open mind and a sense for a new adventure.

This may sound very intimidating.. moving across the world, on your own, not having a job, not having a plan.. but don't let it turn you off! This is the adventure of a lifetime, and it couldn't be any easier. New Zealanders are, by far, the nicest people that I have ever met. Everyone is warm and welcoming, so making new friends is a no-brainer. Don't worry about getting a job right away. New Zealand has become an increasingly more popular tourist destination every year. This means that there are plenty of job opportunities, especially in the tourism industry. Even if it's your first time traveling, this is a great place to start, because New Zealand is extremely safe for travel and it's an English-speaking country.

Why?

What better way to truly travel a country and to fully get immersed in a culture? You will have the flexibility to work and travel, when you want and they way you want. It's like being on vacation for a whole year, who could say no to that? This is also the perfect way to spend a gap year. Don't know what you want to do after college? Traveling and meeting other people from all over the world will open your eyes to all the different possibilities. It's awesome meeting people from so many trades, and hearing their stories about where they live and what they love most about their jobs. This is also a brilliant time to go if you're between high school and college. If you don't know what you want to go to school for, why put yourself thousands of dollars in debt, to come out with a piece of paper that you may never use? Why not spend that time finding out what you'd like to do instead? While abroad, you gain the experience of a lifetime. You're exposed to so many different cultures, which broadens your perspective entirely. You quickly learn what you like and what you don't.

What you need

It's required that you have at least $4,200 NZD to live off of while in New Zealand, and also enough to buy a leaving ticket. There are a few other minor requirements, here are a few links that may help you

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/about-visa/united-states-of-america-working-holiday-visa#https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/visa-factsheet/conditions/united-states-of-america-working-holiday-visa

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/tools-and-information/general-information/travelling-to-and-arriving-in-new-zealand

Click on the link to get started!

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/options/work/thinking-about-coming-to-new-zealand-to-work/working-holiday-visa

Tips

I'd recommend traveling around the country for a bit before finding a job, this way you'll have a good idea of what jobs are available, and what areas you'd like to spend more time in.

Magic Jack is a phone app/service that you can download on your phone that allows you to contact U.S. numbers using Wifi or data coverage. This is really handy in case you need to contact your bank back home, or calling any other landlines.

A travel credit card allows you to pay for costs overseas without being charged a conversion rate. A credit card also comes in handy in any case of emergencies. I'll be posting a blog shortly with "must have" items for traveling :)

Getting started

Applying for an IRD number

Your Inland Revenue Department number is your tax number while you're in New Zealand, This number allows you to get a job, get paid, open a bank account, file for taxes.. and other things of the like. You can apply for your IRD number at any New Zealand Post Shop, just make sure you bring your passport, a printout of your visa, and proof of address. Your proof of address can easily be a letter from the hostel reception office stating that you are staying in the hostel. You can easily change your mailing address when you find a more permanent living situation. This application takes about 7-10 days to process, and once you have your IRD number, you'll be able to open your bank account.

Opening a bank account

You'll need your passport, visa, and proof of address. There are a few banks around, but I have found the cheapest and most convenient option as a traveler, is Kiwibank. Kiwibank is situated inside the New Zealand Post Shop as well, so even most small towns will have a branch. You'll be able to deposit money and start using your debit card immediately.

Useful Websites

Backpacker Board is very useful upon arrival in New Zealand. Here you'll find job offers, cars and campervans for sale, and other news that would be useful to travelers.

http://www.backpackerboard.co.nz/

Book Me is where you'll find lots of cheap deals for tourist activities

https://www.bookme.co.nz/

100% Pure New Zealand is a good research starter to figure out where you want to travel to first, and what you'd like to see while on your adventure.

http://www.newzealand.com/int/

Trade Me is basically the NZ version of craigslist/ebay.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/