A No-Nonsense Guide to Working Holidays in New Zealand

So, you want to live in New Zealand, earn some cash, and travel at the same time? Good news: you can. It’s called a Working Holiday Visa (WHV), and for thousands of backpackers it’s the golden ticket to explore Aotearoa without draining your savings.

This is the no-fluff guide. Everything you actually need to know, minus the boring bits.

What’s a Working Holiday Visa?

A Working Holiday Visa lets travellers aged 18–30 (sometimes 18–35, depending on your passport) live in New Zealand for up to 12 months. You can work to fund your trip, travel around, and even do a short study course if you feel like learning something along the way.

It’s not a career visa. Think cafés, fruit picking, ski fields, hostels (hi 👋), rather than corner offices and long meetings.

Who Can Apply?

• Age: 18–30 for most countries, 18–35 for a lucky few.
• Passport: You need to be from a country that has a working holiday agreement with NZ.
• Health & Character: No serious medical issues, no big criminal record.
• Proof of Funds: Usually around NZ$4,200 to show you can support yourself.
• Ticket Home: Either a return flight booked or enough money to buy one.

👉 Always double-check the Immigration NZ website for the latest info — rules vary depending on your country.

How to Apply

1. Apply online with Immigration NZ.
2. Pay the fee (NZ$280–$400 depending on where you’re from).
3. Upload documents (passport, proof of funds, sometimes insurance details).
4. Wait for approval. Could be a few days, could be a few weeks.

Pro tip: some countries have limited spaces each year. When they open, they can sell out faster than Glastonbury tickets.

Minimum Wage & Pay (2025 Update)

As of 1 April 2025, the adult minimum wage in New Zealand is NZ$23.50/hour. The starting-out/training wage is NZ$18.80/hour.

Seasonal jobs (like fruit picking) sometimes pay “piece rate” (per bucket or tray). Hospitality jobs usually sit around the minimum wage, sometimes more if you’re lucky.

What You’ll Need Before You Arrive

• Travel insurance. Don’t skip this. Seriously.
• Proof of funds. Immigration can (and sometimes does) ask at the border.
• Valid passport. At least six months left on it.
• Somewhere to stay. Ahem… Attic’s got beds ready.

The First Week in NZ

This is the admin part. Get it done and you’re free to explore.

• IRD number – your tax number. Apply online once you’re here.
• Bank account – easy to open with a passport + proof of address (we can get provide you with one at reception for a small admin fee).
• SIM card – Skinny, Spark, Vodafone all do backpacker-friendly plans.
• Hostel base – book a week somewhere central (yes, us again 👀).

What Jobs Can You Get?

• Hospitality – cafés, bars, restaurants, hostels.
• Seasonal farm work – kiwifruit, vineyards, apples, cherries.
• Tourism & outdoors – ski fields, guiding, activity companies.
• Office temping – admin, call centres, data entry.

Most backpackers mix a couple of these during their stay. Work, travel, repeat.

What’s Life Like on a Working Holiday?

It’s a mix of work, play, and winging it.

• Cost of living: Big cities = more expensive. Small towns = cheaper but fewer jobs (and people to meet).
• Travel: Plan jobs around seasons – pick fruit in summer, ski in winter, pour pints year-round.
• Community: Hostels are gold for making friends, swapping job leads, and finding road trip buddies.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Landing with no insurance.
• Forgetting your IRD number and getting taxed at a brutal rate.
• Waiting too late to apply for your visa — quotas fill up.

Useful Links

• Immigration NZ – Working Holiday Visas
• IRD – Tax Number Application
• Backpacker Board Jobs
• Seek NZ

Final Word

A working holiday in New Zealand is part adventure, part admin, and 100% worth it. You’ll leave with new friends, new stories, and maybe even a new appreciation for instant noodles.

If you’re flying into Auckland, start off easy: book your first nights at Attic Backpackers. We’ll help you settle in, point you towards jobs, and connect you with other travellers starting their own working holiday.

See you soon.