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USIT Work New Zealand

Work and travel in New Zealand for a year

Paperwork pain and job panic? We sort your New Zealand working holiday visa, tax number and bank account set-up – plus your choice of bed nights, trips and job support.

On the fence? 

Let's talk

Kia ora, job hunters! We have jobs to fill in New Zealand right now.

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It’s a work life balance thing

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Why do a New Zealand working holiday visa?

So cool you'll want to <3 like your own photos, New Zealand is hands down one of the most magical places on the planet. The high minimum wage and backpacker-friendly employers mean you can earn great money working in pubs, hotels, ski resorts, farms and vineyards as you travel. Or, as you’re able to work for the same employer for the full 12 months of your New Zealand working holiday visa, find longer-term work related to your trade or career in Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown or Christchurch.

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Why do it with USIT

Work it your way

Our Kickstart, 4-day Essential and 8-day Ultimate New Zealand working holiday packages mean you can pick the level of support that works for you.

Jobs before you go

Search and apply for New Zealand working holiday jobs on the USIT Job Hub. Apply before you go, when you land and for the whole of your New Zealand visa.

No hassle travel

We work with a licensed agent for the New Zealand government’s working holiday program. We process your visa and help sort all the work and tax essentials.

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18-30 years

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Stay for up to a year

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Depart year-round

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Do casual or career jobs

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NZD $22.70 minimum wage

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Travel insurance included

From €649

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What we love

The great outdoors. Earn good money working in the vineyards in summer and ski resorts in winter.

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Need to know

Work New Zealand | From €649

We make moving to New Zealand from Ireland on a working holiday simple – doing more of the work so that you enjoy more of the holiday.

As well as including the cost and processing of your New Zealand working holiday visa, all three of our packages include all the important stuff you need to work in New Zealand – including one year’s backpacker travel insurance, your New Zealand bank account and IRD (tax) number set-up.

If you want to take the drama out of finding a job, a place to stay and new mates when you land – opt for the 4-day Essential (departs Auckland and Christchurch) or 8-day Ultimate (departs Auckland only). Everything you need to get your New Zealand working holiday off to a flying start - both include hostel nights, job workshops, day trips, nights out, job access and more.

Here’s the need to know on who can apply and what jobs you can do.

Who can apply Irish passport holders must be aged 18-30 (inclusive) to apply for a New Zealand working holiday visa, meaning you must submit your application before your 31st birthday. For other eligible nationalities, click here. On arrival into New Zealand, you may be asked to provide proof of NZD $4,200 in support funds – usually in the form of bank statements.

How long for Once your visa is granted, you have 12 months to enter the country. You’re then permitted to stay and work for one year. However, if you do three months of seasonal work in the fruit, vegetable or wine industry (sold to the Cab Sav fan in the corner), you may be eligible to extend your visa for a further three months.

How we help The cost of your New Zealand visa is included in all our packages. Once you’ve paid in full, our team will apply for it on your behalf to ensure everything is submitted correctly. This can take between 2-8 weeks – longer if any additional information is required. Visas are issued electronically.

New Zealand working holiday visas give you the freedom to work anywhere in the country and in most industries for a year - doing career or casual work.

New Zealand has one of the highest minimum wages in the world (currently NZD $22.70), and employers are used to taking on working holidaymakers for a range of positions. Typical backpacker jobs include working in bars, restaurants, hotels, labouring, sales, retail, promotions, tourism and childcare.

Unlike the Australia working holiday visa, you don’t have to change employers every six months – meaning you also have the option to settle down for a year and find work related to your profession. Such as working in marketing, recruitment, construction, finance, nursing, beauty and everything between.

Or, if the aim is to redress your work-travel balance, then working the harvests in summer and the slopes in winter is a great way to earn money, work outside and have a blast.

How we help (Essential and Ultimate only) We have a dedicated team that finds employers looking to take on working holidaymakers. They’re vetted to make sure everything is legit, and as soon as you’ve paid your deposit, you’ll get access to the Job Hub where you can start searching and applying for jobs.

If you’d rather wait until you land, your arrival support includes in-person job workshops. You’ll have access to our Job Hub for the full year of your visa.

The 8-day Auckland Ultimate is the first four days of the Essential package, with a free day in Auckland before heading up to the jaw-dropping Bay of Islands for 3 days.

Start Auckland (4-day Essential and 8-day Ultimate) The Essential and Ultimate have 2-3 departures a month. Talk to the team to confirm the start dates before you book.

Start Christchurch (4-day Essential only) 19 Mar | 30 Apr | 28 May | 25 Jun | 23 Jul | 13 Aug | 10 Sep | 15 Oct | 19 Nov

All departures are subject to availability and a maximum group size, so please book early to get your first choice of date. When you book, we’ll grab your flight details to arrange your transfer. If you're arriving early and need extra bed nights, just shout.

Pick your package

Compare what’s included to find the right Work New Zealand option for you.

Good for... Getting all the basics set up to legally work in New Zealand.

Includes

  • 1-year New Zealand working holiday visa + visa processing
  • 1-year backpacker travel insurance policy
  • New Zealand bank account set-up (self-serve with full instructions)
  • IRD (tax) number set-up (self-serve with full instructions)

Good for... Arriving jetlagged and wanting your first four days in Auckland or Christchurch completely taken care of.

Includes

  • 1-year New Zealand working holiday visa + visa processing
  • 1-year backpacker travel insurance policy
  • 1-year access to the Job Hub for unlimited working holiday jobs
  • 3 nights’ hostel accommodation (Jucy Snooze in Christchurch or LyLo in Auckland)
  • Shared airport transfer, city walking tour and group dinner
  • In-depth arrival orientation with job workshop and travel planning session
  • Bank account set-up (in-person during your orientation)
  • IRD (tax) number set-up (in-person during your orientation)
  • SIM card
  • Auckland departures: Ferry trip to Devonport
  • Christchurch departures: Day trip to Akaroa

Good for... Everything the Essential does, but with a guided welcome week from our NZ HQ to help you find your feet, find a job and fall head over jandals (flip flops) for this amazing country.

Includes

  • 1-year New Zealand working holiday visa + visa processing
  • 1-year backpacker travel insurance policy
  • 1-year access to the Job Hub for unlimited working holiday jobs
  • 7 nights’ hostel accommodation (5n in LyLo in Auckland + 2n in the Bay of Islands)
  • In-depth arrival week with job workshops, travel planning and car buying sessions
  • Bank account and IRD (tax) number set-up (in-person during your orientation)
  • City walking tour
  • Auckland ferry to Devonport with group dinner
  • 3-day group trip to the stunning Bay of Islands trip with waterfalls, hikes and scenic stops
  • Some meals and drinks included

Book now pay later

  • Secure your spot with €100 deposit
  • Balance due 12 weeks before you fly

What’s not included

Flights

We don’t recommend booking flights until your visa is approved.

Support funds (NZD $)

You are required to show proof that you can access NZD $4,200 on entering New Zealand.

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Field work

Extend your visa by three months

Fruit picking or vineyard work is not only a great way to stay fit, stay social and save money – but if you do three months of seasonal work, you can apply to stay in New Zealand for 15 months! Peachy.

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North Island or South Island of New Zealand?

North Island

The North Island is home to bigger cities, sunnier weather and three quarters of New Zealand’s population. Known as the City of Sails, Auckland is a billboard ad for a new life abroad: with a sparkling waterfront lined with bars and restaurants providing the jobs, and quick access to surf beaches and wineries providing the lifestyle. The North Island is also home to the capital, Wellington. With a craft brewery and co-workspace on every corner, what Wellington lacks in weather (she can really blow on a windy day) the city more than makes up for in creative job opportunities and cosmopolitan culture. Equal parts white sand beaches, ski fields and vineyards – the North Island is also packed with seasonal summer jobs, harvest work and ski job opportunities.

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South Island

Larger than the North Island but with only around one million inhabitants, the South Island is home to world-class wineries, ice-carved glaciers and some of the most dramatic landscapes on the planet. 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, wine and bar scenes in the Southern Hemisphere. The university town of Dunedin to the south will give off familiar Celtic vibes – with windswept castles, rowdy bars and gigging students. To the north, Christchurch is a lesson in community and cutting-edge innovation following the earthquakes of 2010-2011; while Nelson at the top of the South Island is an arty enclave for creators and makers.

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Ask the experts

Book a call with USIT

Don’t call us, we’ll call you. All our USIT team have worked the world, so are here for real talk and authentic advice about where you can go and what you can do.

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More for your bucket list

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