3 of the most beautiful places to work in New Zealand

​Why do you want to come to New Zealand?

Is it the unspoilt scenery, adventure lifestyle, enviable climate or even the reputation of its people? Perhaps it's been a dream since the first time you saw Peter Jackson's The Lord of The Rings movies.

Well, this wouldn't really be a surprise, seeing as since the films' releases, visitor numbers have almost doubled, according to the Department of Statistics.

But while it is a great location for tourism and features on the bucket list of virtually every traveler, with it's thriving economy, there are also many opportunities to work in New Zealand as well.

New Zealand is a great place to work and play.

A working holiday in New Zealand

The New Zealand government has a Working Holiday Visa scheme that is available for over 50 different countries, which enables residents from across the globe to traverse our beautiful country and make a buck while they are at it.

If you're between the ages of 18 and 30, are primarily coming to holiday and want to make enough money to make sure you can get home, then you could be eligible for a working visa for up to a year!

So on your journeys, where are some of the best places to stop in for your working holiday in New Zealand?

"There's always quite a demand [for jobs] from people outside of Nelson."

1. Nelson – Unimaginable natural beauty

Nelson is the largest township at the top of the South Island. Renowned for its laid-back culture and beautiful scenery, it's an excellent place for any visitor to really experience the best of New Zealand.

With the Abel Tasman National Park promising some of the most beautiful coastal tracks flushed with natural rock pools, giant ferns and fur seals, if you're a fan of nature, then this will be your paradise.

Located amongst myriad wineries and hops orchards, there's bound to be a drink for you brewed right in the region too. But if you're more of a fan of purity, then see the clearest water in the country at Pupu Springs.

Jess Pullar writing for national news source Stuff.co.nz spoke to Intepeople general manager Julie Baxendine about the job opportunities for visitors to the region.

"There's always quite a demand [for jobs] from people outside of Nelson," she said. "The region itself is an attractive proposition for people to move here in terms of weather and lifestyle opportunities," she said.

With the majority of jobs available in construction and primary production industries, such as agriculture, horticulture, forestry, commercial fishing, there is sure to be labour work available all year round.

Where will your working holiday take you?

2. Whakatane – The sun's favourite

A gem in the Bay of Plenty, Whakatane is renowned for its weather. In 2014, the National Institute of Weather and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) found that this beautiful town was basked in more than 2,700 hours of sunshine, making it New Zealand's sunniest spot for the second year running.

A short drive away from some of the best snow spots and cycle trails in New Zealand, it's a great base for the adventure tourist. Furthermore, as it looks out to our most active volcano, White Island, if you're into fishing, boating or diving, then you'll be spoiled for choice with some of our richest reefs.

Around one-third of the wider Whakatane region is planted in exotic trees, creating a humming forestry industry all year round. With its vast green pastures as well, it's a hub for New Zealand's dairy industry and a growing force in horticulture, making plenty of seasonal demand for temporary workers over the summer months.

3. Christchurch – The heart of the South

Christchurch is the only city featured on this list. While it is close to the snow and the coast, the major drawcard here is the wealth of job opportunities.

As the city continues to recover from the destruction caused by the earthquakes of 2011, there is a huge array of skill shortages associated with the rebuild in various labour positions. Welders, tilers, plasterers, scaffolders, plumbers, joiners, glaziers, drainlayers, carpenters and bricklayers – to name a few – are all in high demand.

"Any enthusiastic, willing worker with any skill set will be needed by Tradestaff to help the Christchurch rebuild."

Tradestaff marketing assistant Anton Kuznetsov suggested that, even without relevant experience, there will likely be work for you there.

"Any enthusiastic, willing worker with any skill set will be needed by Tradestaff to help the Christchurch rebuild," he said.

As New Zealand's second-largest city, its also good to know that it's 9 per cent cheaper to live in than New Zealand's most populous city Auckland, according to Expatistan's Cost of Living Index. In fact, it's cheaper than the capital Wellington and the tourist town of Queenstown.

Making the most out of your trip with Tradestaff's Passport program

With Tradestaff's Passport program, you can make your way around the country with the leading labour recruitment company by your side. With 14 branches dotted around the nation, you'll have a license to work wherever your travels take you and a helper to make sure that jobs are lined up when and where you need them.

For more information, express your interest with us today and we'll be in touch to let you know how we can help.