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Working in New Zealand
Capital: Wellington
Largest city: Auckland
Population: 4.37 million (2013)
Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZ$)
Language: English
New Zealand is a small country in the southern Pacific Ocean, about 3-hours flying from the east coast of Australia. New Zealand is comprised of two main islands, the North Island and the South Island as well as a range of smaller surrounding islands. As a destination for travellers and working holidaymakers, New Zealand is virtually unparalleled in the variety of things to do that are all within relatively easy access from each other.
The majority of the island’s population are of European descent however there is a thriving, native Maori community as well. The combination of traditional Maori ways with those of the European settlers makes for an interesting and dynamic local culture.
Both the North and South Islands offer a wide-range of interesting places to work, live and experience. New Zealand as a whole offers activities to suit anyone’s interests with beautiful beaches, majestic mountain ranges, rolling hillside pastures and inland lakes and rivers. New Zealand is truly an adventurer’s paradise and an ideal place to be based, especially if spending time in the outdoors appeals.
The North Island is home to Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand as well as Wellington, the nation’s capital. While you can easily access both inland and water-based activities on the North Island, Auckland does also offer the opportunity to live and work in an urban environment.
If you are, however, looking for something that is more immediately in-touch with the natural world, then the South Island is definitely the place to start. Both Queenstown and Christchurch in particular offer great living and working environments as well as easy afternoon and weekend access to an amazing range of adventure activities.
At present it is important to remember that Christchurch is still very much in the throes of recovery following the earthquakes and aftershocks of February 2011. As a city in re-building mode, Christchurch offers some very unique work opportunities, particularly if you have skills that are currently in high-demand. The trade-off for working holidaymakers is that city life is also in recovery and may not match what you are looking for.
In all cases, as country that welcomes working holidaymakers, New Zealand is well set-up for easy travel and offers some of the most unique diversity and variety of both landscape and activities, New Zealand is truly an ideal destination for a working holiday.
Tourism Video
Visa Summary
Visa: Working Holiday Scheme
Age: 18 – 30 (35 for some specified countries)
Length of Stay: 12 – 23 months
Application Fee: varies from country to country
Note that Australia and New Zealand have reciprocal working arrangements so an Australian does not need to be under the Working Holiday Scheme to live and work in New Zealand.
Restrictions:
You must apply for the scheme tailored to the passport you will use to enter New Zealand. At present 34 countries have working holiday agreements with New Zealand.
If your passport does not match the scheme for which you have applied you will be denied entry
You may be required to undertake a medical examination and submit a General Medical Certificate (INZ 1007) and / or a Chest X-ray Certificate (INZ 1096). This requirement will be determined as part of your application process.
Length of stay and age restrictions will vary depending on the passport under which you apply for the visa. For example: If you are from the UK and under 30 then you can work for up to 23 months but if you are from Canada and under the age of 35 your visa will be valid for 12 months.
Spouses and children may not travel with you under the Working Holiday Scheme
You must hold a return airfare / demonstrate sufficient funds to be able to purchase one
You may also need to show that you have approximately NZ$4200 available to support a 12-month stay
You must not have previously been approved for a visa under the Working Holiday Scheme
Emergency
Emergency numbers: Police, Fire, Ambulance 111 Police Communications Centre *555 From a mobile phone both 112 (European) and 911 (American) will be redirected to 111
Australian High Commission in New Zealand 72-76 Hobson Street Thorndon, Wellington 6011 NEW ZEALAND Telephone: +64 (0)4 473 6411 Facsimile: +64 (0)4 498 7135
Australian Consulate General Level 7, Pricewaterhouse Coopers Tower 186-194 Quay Street Auckland 1010 NEW ZEALAND Telephone: +64 (0)9 921 8800 Facsimile: +64 (0)9 921 8820
Embassies of New Zealand in…
Argentina New Zealand Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina Carlos Pellegrini 1427, Piso 5 Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1011AAC Ph +54 11 5070 0700 F +54 11 5070 0720 Web: http://www.nzembassy.com/argentina
Australia New Zealand High Commission in Canberra, Australia Commonwealth Avenue Canberra ACT 2600 Ph +61 2 6270 4211 F +61 2 6273 3194 Web: www.nzembassy.com/australia
Austria New Zealand Embassy in Vienna, Austria Mattiellistrasse 2-4/3 1040 Vienna Ph +43 1 505 3021 F +43 1 505 3020 Web: www.nzembassy.com/austria
Bangladesh New Zealand Consulate in Dhaka, Bangladesh Bashoti Horizon, Flat No B-3, 3rd floor Plot 21, Road – 17, Banani Dhaka 1213 Ph +880 2 886 1947 F +880 2 886 1984 Web: N/A
Belgium New Zealand Embassy in Brussels, Belgium Avenue des Nerviens 9/31 1040 Brussels Ph +32 2 512 1040 F +32 2 513 4856 Web: www.nzembassy.com/belgium
Brazil New Zealand Embassy in Brasilia, Brazil SHIS QI 09, conj. 16, casa 01 Lago Sul 71625-160 Brasilia DF Ph +55 61 3248 9900 F +55 61 3248 9916 Web: http://www.nzembassy.com/brazil
Canada New Zealand High Commission in Ottawa, Canada Suite 710, 50 O’Connor Street 150 Elgin Street Suite 1401 Ottawa K2P 1L4 Ph +1 613 238 5707 Web: http://www.nzembassy.com/canada
Chile New Zealand Embassy in Santiago, Chile Piso 12, Avenida Isidora Goyenechea 3000 Las Condes, Santiago Ph +56 2 2616 3000 Web: http://www.nzembassy.com/chile
China New Zealand Embassy in Beijing, China 3 Sanlitun Dongsan jie Chaoyang District Beijing 100600 Ph +86 10 8531 2700 F +86 10 6532 4317 Web: www.nzembassy.com/china
Costa Rica N/A
Cyprus, Republic of New Zealand Consulate in Nicosia, Cyprus 6 Kondilaki Str. 1090 Lefkosia P.O.Box 24676 1302 Nicosia Ph +357 22 81 88 84 F +357 99 69 36 86 Web: N/A
Czech Republic New Zealand Consulate in Prague, the Czech Republic Václavské nám?stí 11 110 00 Praha 1 Ph +420 234 784 777 F +420 234 784 445 Web: N/A
Denmark New Zealand Consulate General in Copenhagen, Denmark Store Strandstraede 21, 2nd floor 1255 Copenhagen K Ph +47 33 37 77 00 F +47 33 37 76 99 Web: www.nzconsulate.dk
Estonia New Zealand Consulate in Tallinn, Estonia Liivalaia 13 10118 Tallinn Ph +372 667 1470 F +372 667 1471 Web: N/A
Finland New Zealand Consulate General in Helsinki, Finland Erottajankatu 9 00130 Helsinki Ph + 358 50 342 9950 F +358 33 170 465 Web: N/A
France New Zealand Embassy in Paris, France 7 ter, rue Leonard de Vinci 75116, Paris Ph +33 1 45 01 43 43 F +33 1 45 01 43 44 Web: www.nzembassy.com/france
Germany New Zealand Embassy in Berlin, Germany Friedrichstrasse 60 10117 Berlin Ph +49 30 20 62 10 F +49 30 206 211 14 Web: www.nzembassy.com/germany
Greece New Zealand Consulate General in Athens, Greece 268 Kifissias Avenue 15232, Halandri Athens Ph +30 210 6874 700 F +30 210 6874 444 Web: N/A
India New Zealand High Commission in New Delhi, India Sir Edmund Hillary Marg Chanakyapuri New Delhi 110 021 Ph +91 11 2688 3170 F +91 11 2688 3165 Web: www.nzembassy.com/india
Indonesia New Zealand Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia Sentral Senayan 2 ,10th Floor Jl Asia Afrika No 8, Gelora Bung Karno P.O. Box 2439 Jakarta 10024 Ph +62 21 2995 5800 F +62 21 5797 4578 Web: www.nzembassy.com/indonesia
Ireland New Zealand Consulate General in Dublin, Ireland P.O. Box 9999 Dublin 6 Ph +353 1 660 4233 F N/A Web: N/A
Italy New Zealand Embassy in Rome, Italy Via Clitunno 44 00198 Rome Ph +39 06 853 7501 F +39 06 440 2984 Web: www.nzembassy.com/home.cfm?c=7
Japan New Zealand Embassy in Tokyo, Japan 20-40 Kamiyama-cho Shibuya-ku Tokyo 150-0047 Ph +81 3 3467 2271 F +81 3 3467 6843 Web: www.nzembassy.com/japan
Latvia N/A
Malaysia New Zealand High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Level 21, Menara IMC 8 Jalan Sultan Ismail Kuala Lumpur 50250 Ph +60 3 2078 2533 F +60 3 2078 0387 Web: www.nzembassy.com/malaysia
Malta Consulate of New Zealand in Valletta, Malta Villa Hampstead, Oliver Agius Street Attard, BZN 03 Malta Ph +356 21 435 025 F +356 21 437 200 Web: N/A
Mexico New Zealand Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico Jaime Balmes No 8 4th Floor Los Morales, Polanco 11510 Ph +52 55 5283 9460 F +52 55 5283 9480 Web: http://www.nzembassy.com/mexico
New Zealand N/A
Norway New Zealand Consulate General Lysaker, Norway Halfdan Ditlev-Simonsen and Co AS Strandveien 50 N-1366 Lysaker Ph +47 6711 0030 F +47 6711 0031 Web: N/A
Poland New Zealand Embassy in Warsaw, Poland Al. Ujazdowskie 51 00-536 Warsaw Ph +48 22 521 0500 F +48 22 521 0510 Web: http://www.nzembassy.com/poland
Singapore New Zealand High Commission in Singapore, Singapore One George Street, Level 21 – 04 Singapore 049145 Ph +65 6235 9966 F +65 6536 8180 Web: www.nzembassy.com/singapore
Slovakia N/A
Slovenia New Zealand Consulate in Ljubljana, Slovenia Lek d.d., Verovskova 57 SI 1526 Ljubljana Ph +386 1 580 3055 F +386 1 568 1086 Web: N/A
South Korea New Zealand Embassy in Seoul, Korea (Republic) Jeong Dong Building 8th floor, West Tower 15-5 Jeong-Dong, Jung-gu Seoul 110-784 Ph +82 2 3701 7700 F +82 2 3701 7701 Web: www.nzembassy.com/korea
Spain New Zealand Embassy in Madrid, Spain Pinar 7, 3rd floor 28006 Madrid Ph +34 915 230 226 F +34 915 230 171 Web: http://www.nzembassy.com/spain
Sweden N/A
Switzerland New Zealand Consulate General in Geneva, Switzerland 2 Chemin des Fins Grand Saconnex Geneva Ph +41 22 929 0350 F +41 22 929 0377 Web: http://www.nzembassy.com/switzerland
Taiwan New Zealand Representative Office in Taipei, Taiwan Room 2501, 333 Keelung Road., Sec. 1 Taipei 110 Ph +886 2 2757 6725 F +886 2 2757 6973 Web: N/A
Thailand New Zealand Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand M Thai Tower, 14th Floor All Seasons Place, 87 Wireless Road Lumpini, Bangkok 10330 P.O. Box 2719 Bangkok 10500 Ph +66 2 2254 2530 F +66 2 2253 9045 Web: www.nzembassy.com/thailand
The Netherlands New Zealand Embassy in The Hague, the Netherlands Eisenhowerlaan 77N 2517KK,The Hague Ph +31 70 346 9324 F +31 70 363 2983 Web: www.netherlands.embassy.gov.au
Turkey New Zealand Embassy in Ankara, Turkey Kizkulesi Sokak No.11 Gaziosmanpasa Ankara Ph +90 312 446 3333 Web: http://www.nzembassy.com/turkey
United Kingdom New Zealand High Commission in London, the United Kingdom New Zealand House Second Floor 80 Haymarket London SW1Y 4TQ Ph +44 20 7930 8422 F +44 20 7839 4580 Web: http://www.nzembassy.com/united-kingdom
United States New Zealand Embassy in Washington, the United States 37 Observatory Circle NW Washington, DC 20008 Ph +1 202 328 4800 F +1 202 667 5227 Web: http://www.nzembassy.com/usa-washington
Uruguay New Zealand Honorary Consul, Uruguay Alzaibar 1305-Of.102 Montevideo 11.000 Ph +598 2916 0900 F +598 2916 8902 Web: N/A
Tax System
Anyone taking up temporary work in New Zealand will need an IRD (Inland Revenue) number so that they can be taxed at the appropriate rate. After arriving in New Zealand you will need to complete and submit an IRD number application (IR595). You will receive your number within 8-10 working days. You can commence work prior to receiving the number but must provide it to your employer as soon as you have one. Tax will be deducted from your pay as per most pay as you go systems at the following rates:
12.20 cents on the first $14,000 of taxable income
19.20 cents on $14,001 to $48,000
31.70 cents on $48,001 to $70,000
34.70 cents on $70,001 and over
You may need to contact the IRD when you are departing to ensure that you have paid the appropriate amount of tax. However, if you have properly filed for and given your IRD number to your employer(s) then this shouldn’t be a problem.
You will pay GST on all goods and services purchased while in New Zealand. Unlike some countries, GST in New Zealand is not refundable upon departure.
More information about the New Zealand tax system for working holidaymakers is available at:
You will probably need a copy of your current bank statement to demonstrate that you do have funds at your disposal. Setting up a local bank account is not a requirement (although this could vary depending on your country of origin) but it will likely make it much easier for your employers to pay your wages and will save you paying overseas bank charges. In fact, if you are planning to be in New Zealand for more than 3 months, setting up a local account is the best way to go.
Getting an account is reasonably straightforward but you should make sure that you have photo ID (passport is best), place of residence in New Zealand (primarily for postal purposes), your IRD number and an amount for an opening deposit (requirements vary from NZ$10 through to NZ$500).
Local banks include: Commonwealth Bank (Australia and New Zealand), ANZ Bank (Australia and New Zealand), Bank of New Zealand, Kiwibank and ASB Bank.
Employment
New Zealand is working holiday “friendly” and offers a range of employment opportunities for backpackers and other working holidaymakers.
In general, New Zealand’s economy is on the rise and in certain areas there will be high demand for people with desirable skills. Unemployment has fallen over the past few years and the New Zealand Government is predicting nearly 6% job growth over the next two to three years.
Specifically, there is predicted need in a range of professional areas and the Government posts a list of particular areas of need. In addition, there are specific skills required in and around the Canterbury area in the wake of the 2010 earthquakes particularly in construction and construction related trades. If you have skills in any of the shortage areas you may find way to extend your working holiday or secure more highly paid employment.
Immigration New Zealand offers a great resource for anyone intending to enter New Zealand on the Working Holiday Scheme:
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