New Zealand is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean. New Zealand has a fascinating history, a rich culture and diverse natural wonders to explore. Find working holidays, short term and temporary work, summer and winter ski jobs, farm work, fruit picking, hospitality jobs and more in New Zealand.
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New Zealand Facts
New Zealand is a land of diversity, the contrast is seen in the terrain and the plant and animal life. The Maori are the native people of the land, and they play an extremely vital role in history as well as contemporary life. Here are some more important things to know about this country:
• Population: 4,474,549
• Capital City: Wellington
• Dialing Code: +64
How to Work in New Zealand
If you are interested in a working holiday in New Zealand some of the most popular industries to find employment include:
• Professional
• Travel and tourism
• Gap year, backpacking and working holidays
• Hotels and hospitality
• Agriculture, farm and fruit picking
• Winter ski season
The most popular temporary and jobs for backpacker in New Zealand include hospitality, hotels, hostels, tourism, travel activity providers, labouring, ski resort work, retail, sales, and fruit picking/harvest work on farms and vineyards.
Best Places to Work in New Zealand
New Zealand is a popular country with foreigners due to being very safe, relaxing work/life balance and friendly welcoming people. There are huge modern cities and also small towns in spectacular locations. You can find work in both the North Island and the South Island, the larger cities and tourist hotspots are where most local and international companies are located, and therefore the best locations to find employment.
These are some of the cities where it is easiest to find employment:
• Auckland
• Wellington
• Christchurch
• Hamilton
• Queenstown
Other locations to consider where most :
• Tauranga
• Napier and Hastings
• Dunedin
• Palmerston North
• New Plymouth
• Nelson
• Rotorua
Work in Auckland
The City of Sails is home to over a third of New Zealand’s population, but given that’s only around 1.5 million people it doesn’t feel too crowded (Greater London has over 8 million). Auckland is usually the first city foreigners arrive in from overseas, and a lot stay due to the amount of jobs available here.
Whether you’re chowing down in the top notch eateries, heading over to Mission Bay to catch some sun or using it as a jump off for an even bigger NZ adventure, you’ll not be stuck for things to do. People from many different cultures call Auckland home and as such its Asian food is fantastic. Sometimes the amazing Vietnamese cafe that will change your life doesn’t look all that from the outside, so be sure to ask a local for their recommendation. If you have to see one thing, get the boat across to Davenport and climb mount Victoria for lovely views of the city.
Summer Jobs in New Zealand
Are you looking for a flexible full/part time job over summer? There are lots of opportunities available which are very popular with students. Some of the most popular summer jobs in New Zealand can include working as a camp counselor, at theme parks, festivals and events, cafes, restaurants, hotels, swimming pools, as a retail sales associate, barista, food service worker, gardener, tour guide, sports, teaching and in childcare.
Most companies hire people aged 18+, but some jobs are available to 16 and 17 year olds. If you are interested in working in New Zealand from abroad, you can find recruiters offering positions to foreigners. You can also find internships, work experience placements and voluntary work. A lot of jobs are offered with housing included.
Winter and Ski Jobs in New Zealand
New Zealand has some of the best ski resorts in the world where you can seek employment including Cardrona, Treble Cone, Remarkables, Coronet Peak, Mount Hutt, Craigieburn Valley and Mount Olympus. Most are located on the South Island around Queenstown and Wanda.
Winter positions you can apply for include chalet chefs, chalet hosts, childcare staff, management jobs, resort reps, ski instructors, hospitality jobs, bar staff, drivers & maintenance, administration, sales and marketing. Both Kiwi and international staff are hired each season.
Working in New Zealand FAQ
Visas
New Zealand offers a working holiday visa program that allows you to work for up to one year in New Zealand. Alternatively you can find companies which hire foreigners and who will help with the visa application.
New Zealand History
Settlers came to the islands from East Polynesia around 1300 AD. These peoples became the Maori. Able Tasman was the first European to come to the islands. He explored the area in the mid-1600s. The Royal Navy of England came to New Zealand in the later 1700s with Captain James Cook in command of the fleet. Missionaries and other settlers from Europe and North America established communities beginning in the late 1700s under British rule. Then in 1907, the country received its independence.
Climate
The country is made of two main islands with the Cook Strait between them and hundreds of smaller islands. The Canary Islands are one of the groups of islands to the north. Australia lies to the west, and several other island groups lie to the east and south of New Zealand. When it comes to the climate, the weather is greatly different between North and South Islands of the country. Still, the climate overall is a temperate and changeable maritime one. The highest temperatures rarely rise above 30 degrees Celsius, and only the higher peaks see temperatures below 0 degrees any time of the year. The western side of South Island receives the most rain, and the eastern side is arid. Meanwhile, North Island has the most sunlight hours.
What’s it Like to Live in New Zealand?
New Zealanders have the reputation for being very friendly and relaxed, and this is true especially in the world environment. Working here can be less stressful than other destinations and there is a very laid back lifestyle.
Safety
New Zealand is often voted one of the safest countries in the world with low crime rates.
Money/Salaries
The New Zealand dollar is the currency of New Zealand. Salaries are high on a comparison with other worldwide nations and nearby nations like jobs in Fiji, yet lower than working in Australia.
Things to Do
New Zealand has many natural wonders to experience. The national parks are excellent for seeing the best of the country’s wild side. Fiordland National Park on the southwestern of South Island is a lovely place where mountains meet clear blue waters. Tongariro National Park on North Island features three active volcanoes. Of course, some of the best ski resorts in the world are on south island. Meanwhile, North Island has some beautiful beaches. Additionally, a wide range of outdoor sports are available all over the country. People can pick from outdoor sports A to Z and find the best surroundings, conditions and facilities somewhere in New Zealand.
Cuisine and Culture
You can find fast food and small convenience stores prevalent throughout the country. When it comes to eating, sweet potatoes are popular as are pies made with meat and vegetables. Seafood and locally grown produce are also a part of the cuisine. The island country has its own culture. Although English is spoken, some phrases are unique to New Zealand. “Dairy” means convenience store, and a “Kiwi” is a New Zealander. “Kia Ora” is the Maori greeting for “Hi!” or “Welcome!”