Ready to explore New Zealand on a working holiday? Learn more about job availability, visa requirements, accommodations, and more with this guide to working holidays in New Zealand!
Ever wanted to work and vacation at the same time? There are several countries that offer working holiday visas and New Zealand is one of them. A New Zealand working holiday visa is available in many countries including Belgium, Netherlands, Taiwan, and Singapore. For Singapore, under the Singapore Work Exchange Programme (SWEP), the visa allows you to work and study in New Zealand for a short time.
The working holiday visa is a great way to experience New Zealand’s culture, scenery, and lifestyle. And of course, it’s also a great way to meet new people and make friends from all over the world!
Are you ready to live life like a Kiwi? Read on for how to prep yourself for a working holiday in New Zealand!
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How To Start A Working Holiday In New Zealand?
Firstly, you need to apply for the SWEP Visa or the visa scheme under whichever respective country you’re from, and this visa has multiple requirements.
Eligibility For A Working Holiday Visa In New Zealand:
- Aged 18-30
- Be a citizen of the country with a valid passport
- Be healthy — you are required to send a medical examination as proof
- Have a return ticket or proof that you have enough money to buy a ticket out of New Zealand, on top of the funds you have to live on.
- Have a university degree, or have successfully completed the equivalent of at least two years of full-time university study.
- Have medical insurance for the full duration of your stay
- Have a clean criminal record
You can apply for your working holiday visa online or by mail. The application fee is NZ$455 (S$371.94).
So, what can you do with a working holiday? Once you have been granted your working holiday visa, you can travel to New Zealand and start working. For Singaporeans, your SWEP visa entitles you to work, for up to 12 months, in any job that is not considered to be a skilled occupation and or study for up to six months while you are there.
The length of stay for different countries might differ. For example, if you are from the UK, you can stay up to 23 months, while if you’re from Austria you can only stay for up to 6 months.
How To Start A Working Holiday In New Zealand: A Guide For Singaporeans — Find out more here
How To Plan Your Working Holiday:
1. Finding Accommodations
Image credits: Pexels
1️⃣ Location: Where do you want to stay? Do you want to be in a city, town, or rural area?
2️⃣ Type of Accommodation: Do you want to share a room with other guests or have your own room?
3️⃣ Amenities: What amenities are important to you? Do you need a kitchen, bathroom, or Wi-Fi?
4️⃣ Budget: How much are you willing to spend on accommodation?
There might be small things you overlook like perhaps requiring a bus or train station nearby, or somewhere with access to laundry or a supermarket. There are many types of accommodations available during your working holiday visa in New Zealand:
| 🏠 Type of Accommodation | Description |
| Rentals or Airbnb | Many options are available here, you can rent the entire apartment or just a room from locals, at varying budgets. |
| Backpacker Lodges & Hostel | Hostels and backpacker lodges are great options for budget travellers. They offer shared dormitories and common areas and are a great way to meet other travellers! |
| Homestays | Homestay will be a great option for those who really want to immerse in the local life as you get to live with the locals. |
| House Sitting | Housesitting is a great option for those who want to save money on accommodation. You can stay in someone’s home for free in exchange for taking care of their pets and plants. |
| Campgrounds | Campgrounds are a great option for travellers who want to experience the outdoors. They offer tent sites, RV sites, and cabins. |
| Hotels | Something more luxurious if you have the financial ability — where you can get private bedrooms, ensuite bathrooms and extra amenities like housekeeping. |
The best places to stay in New Zealand tend to fill up quickly, so it’s important to start your search early. There are also many factors to consider like budget, location, need for amenities etc. If you have the chance, talk to other travellers. If you know anyone who has been to New Zealand, ask them for recommendations on where to stay and they may be able to give you some insider tips.
To find your accommodations, check out online resources like:
- Booking.com (Get up to 15% off with YouTrip Perks!)
- Airbnb
- Hostelworld
- Trade Me
No matter what type of accommodation you choose, be sure to book in advance, especially if you’re travelling during peak season!
How To Start A Working Holiday In New Zealand: A Guide For Singaporeans — Get up to 15% cashback when you book accommodations on YouTrip Perks
2. Finding a Working Holiday Job In New Zealand
Image credits: New Zealand
With a Singapore Working Exchange Programme Visa, you can work in any employment you like, as long as it is:
- Temporary, not a permanent job
- Legal
- Not providing or involving commercial sexual services
Generally, some of the most common and popular jobs for working holidaymakers are within:
1️⃣ Horticulture (orchard and vineyard work). This involves picking, packing, pruning, thinning, and planting fruits and vegetables. It is seasonal work that is available throughout the year in different regions.
2️⃣ Farmwork. This involves working on dairy, sheep, cattle, or deer farms. It can include milking, feeding, fencing, cleaning, and general farm maintenance. It is also seasonal work that is available all year round in different areas.
3️⃣ Hospitality. This involves working in hotels, motels, hostels, restaurants, cafes, bars, and pubs. It can include reception, housekeeping, kitchen hand, waiter/waitress, barista, bartender, and chef roles. It is a flexible and fun industry that is always looking for staff.
4️⃣ Retail. This involves working in shops, supermarkets, malls, and markets. It can include sales assistant, cashier, stocker, merchandiser, and customer service roles. It is a good opportunity to interact with locals and tourists.
5️⃣ Tourism. This involves working as tour operators, in adventure activities, ski fields, national parks, and cultural attractions. It can include guide, instructor, driver, ticket seller, photographer, and maintenance roles. You get to work while experiencing New Zealand as a tourist at the same time!
As you can see these jobs are a bit more labour and service-centric. It will be more challenging to find white-collar office-type jobs on a working holiday visa in New Zealand as employers may prefer candidates who can commit for a longer term. Additionally, the job you seek cannot be skilled, which most office jobs are.
Here are a few online job sites to help you with your find:
How To Start A Working Holiday In New Zealand: A Guide For Singaporeans — Find out more here
Exploring New Zealand
Image credits: Pexels
There are plenty of things to do in New Zealand, mostly outdoorsy and adventurous stuff. But if you’re already considering a working holiday in New Zealand, I’m sure those things are exactly what you’re after. From hiking and camping in the mountains or national parks to surfing and swimming in the ocean, or skiing and snowboarding in the winter the activities are endless.
Here Are Five Must-See Destinations In New Zealand:
Image credits: Pexels
Queenstown: The adventure capital of New Zealand, where you can try bungy jumping, skiing, jet boating, paragliding, and more. Queenstown is also surrounded by stunning scenery of mountains and lakes.
How To Start A Working Holiday In New Zealand: A Guide For Singaporeans — Find out more here
Image credits: Best Blog Travel
Coromandel: A region on the east coast of the North Island, known for its gorgeous beaches and native bush. You can visit the iconic Cathedral Cove, dig your own hot pool at Hot Water Beach, or explore the Karangahake Gorge.
How To Start A Working Holiday In New Zealand: A Guide For Singaporeans — Find out more here
Image credits: Nelson Tasman
Abel Tasman National Park: A coastal park on the top of the South Island, where you can hike or kayak along the pristine bays and beaches. You can also see some wildlife such as seals, dolphins, and penguins.
How To Start A Working Holiday In New Zealand: A Guide For Singaporeans — Find out more here
Image credits: Pexels
Milford Sound: is a fjord located in Fiordland National Park, A UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in New Zealand. Milford Sound is known for its stunning scenery, including towering cliffs, waterfalls, and crystal-clear waters. There, you can cruise, kayak, or fly over the fiords and see waterfalls, mountains, and marine life.
How To Start A Working Holiday In New Zealand: A Guide For Singaporeans — Find out more here
Image Credits: Pexels
Rotorua: A city on the central North Island, famous for its geothermal features and Maori culture. You can see bubbling mud pools, geysers, colourful rock formations and hot springs. You can also learn more about Maori history and traditions in cultural villages.
In case you need some more ideas on what to do, we have an itinerary for freedom camping in New Zealand and a guide to what to eat in New Zealand
How To Start A Working Holiday In New Zealand: A Guide For Singaporeans — Find out more here
Tips To Make The Most Of Your Working Holiday:
Image credits: BUNAC
- Do Your Research: Before you go, make sure you do your research on New Zealand. Learn about the different places you want to visit, the different jobs you want to do
- Be Flexible: Be prepared to change your plans if necessary. Things don’t always go according to plan, so it’s important to be flexible and adaptable.
- Make Friends: One of the best things about the SWEP visa is the opportunity to meet new people from all over the world. Make friends with locals and other travelers and you’ll have someone to explore New Zealand with.
- Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help: If you need help planning your trip or finding a job in New Zealand, don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are many resources available to help you, including the New Zealand government website and the New Zealand Working Holiday Association.
- Enjoy Yourself!: Having a working holiday experience is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Make sure you enjoy every minute of it.
Get Ready For The Most Unforgettable Working Holiday Of Your Life!
Leave the humdrum of daily life and step into a new world of excitement with a working holiday in New Zealand! Stunning landscapes, friendly locals, and adventure at every turn — New Zealand seamlessly blends work and play. And while you’re having the time of your life, don’t forget to make use of your YouTrip Card to lock in those wholesale exchange rates and skip those pesky bank fees!
As Singapore’s favourite multi-currency wallet, we aim to get those pesky fees out of the way and help you save on your travels. With the best foreign exchange rates, no longer will you have to deal with those long queues at money changers! So if you’re looking for a go-to travel card, sign up for your complimentary YouTrip card today with <YTBLOG5> and get FREE S$5 in your account! Then, head over to our YouTrip Perks page for exclusive offers and promotions — we promise you won’t regret. For more great tips and articles like this, join our Telegram (@YouTripSG) and subscribe to our free weekly newsletter here or down below.
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Happy hiking!
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