Please be aware – there appear to be multiple scam sources posing as Tradestaff, advertising roles that do not exist.
If you are looking for work and want to apply with Tradestaff, please do so through www.tradestaff.co.nz or get in touch with your local team on freephone 0508 404 040 if you're unsure about the source.
New Zealand, the land of breath-taking scenery, sheep and a bunch of very friendly locals, often draws travellers from all around the globe, especially since you can live and work here using the convenient Working Holiday Visa.
While the appeal of freely exploring NZ’s vibrant cities, pristine beaches and rugged forests is undeniable, securing a job is often a practical necessity for those who need some extra funds along the way. A working holiday allows you to tailor your holiday to suit, allowing you to take your time and really immerse yourself in everything NZ has to offer. So let's dive in and explore the Working Holiday Visa and how to find employment on your working holiday in NZ.
Working holiday visas are designed for people from recognised countries to legally be able to work and travel in New Zealand for up to a period of 12 months (sometimes longer). To apply, you must be aged between 18-35 and be a full citizen of a country with working holiday agreements with New Zealand. See here for a full list of eligible countries for Working Holiday Visas in NZ.
Along with being able to take on a temporary or casual job, working holiday visas also allow you to participate in some study for up to 6 months, and enter and exit the country during your stay.
Check out the conditions to be able to get a working holiday visa (including medical requirements).
Before you book your flights to New Zealand, there are several important administrative tasks that will ease the process and help you find and secure a temporary job when you get here. Getting these sorted early on will allow you to hit the ground running.
First and foremost, you need to have a good understanding of the specific requirements and conditions of your Working Holiday Visa. Each country has slightly different agreements with New Zealand regarding age limits, duration, and specific work limitations. Check the Immigration New Zealand website well in advance to make sure you meet the criteria.
While your working holiday visa allows you to get a temporary job while you are here, you still need to demonstrate you have sufficient funds to support yourself upon arrival. As a rough guide, this is usually around $4,000 NZD. However having more than this is strongly advised as it can take a few weeks to find a job and then to get your first pay.
To work in New Zealand, you will need an IRD (Inland Revenue Department) number. This is your unique tax identification number. It is used to determine your tax rate, without one you'll be taxed at a much higher "No Declaration or ND" rate (currently around 45%). You can apply for your IRD number online once you arrive in New Zealand and have opened a New Zealand bank account. The process typically requires your passport, a New Zealand bank account, and proof of your overseas address, see here for more information on how to get an IRD number.
Having a New Zealand bank account is essential for receiving wages and managing your finances as cash is rarely used in NZ these days. Most major banks, such as ANZ, BNZ, Westpac, and ASB, offer good options for non-residents and working holidaymakers. You'll typically need your passport, visa, and proof of your New Zealand address (a hostel booking confirmation or a letter from a friend/employer might be enough). Some banks even allow you to start the application process online before you arrive, though you'll usually need to visit a branch in person to activate the account.
With all of your pre-tasks sorted, you need to make sure you've got all of the necessary things you need to apply for jobs and present yourself professionally to potential employers.
In New Zealand you will likely need two main things when applying for a job - a CV (resume) and a cover letter. These might have a slightly different emphasis than those in some other countries.
Keep It Short. Aim for one to two pages maximum for your CV and no more than one page for your cover letter. Employers here value a more concise or direct approach.
Focus On Achievements. Instead of simply listing previous job duties, highlight your accomplishments and how you added value in your roles.
Outline Your Skills. A skills-based approach that highlights transferable abilities might be more effective, especially if you are applying for jobs that aren't in your usual field of expertise. List your most recent jobs in order and summarise older ones.
Contact Information. Ensure your contact details are prominent and easily accessible.
Personal Summary. A brief, punchy summary at the top of your CV outlining who you are, what you're seeking, and your commitment intentions can be beneficial, for example how long are you looking for work for?
Referees. It's customary to include a section for "Referees" or "References" at the end.
Proofread It! Typos and grammatical errors can immediately put employers off - double-check it!
Tailor Each Application. Generic AI-generated applications rarely succeed. Read the job description carefully and customise your CV and cover letter to directly address the employer's requirements and showcase how your skills and experience align with the role. Always use keywords from the job advertisement.
Include A Cover Letter. The cover letter is your opportunity to introduce yourself and explain why you're interested in the job. It should be concise, compelling, and free of errors.
New Zealand workplaces generally have a more relaxed and informal work culture compared to some other countries, but professionalism is still very important in job interviews. A few top NZ-specific interview tips are:
Be Punctual. Always aim to arrive 5-10 minutes early. Punctuality is highly valued.
Dress Appropriately. Dress neatly and professionally, no matter what the role, don't turn up in stained or rough clothing, and wear appropriate footwear.
Be Yourself (Within Reason). Kiwis appreciate authenticity, so be friendly, approachable, and show your personality, but maintain a good level of professionalism.
Ask Questions. There will be an opportunity during the interview to ask questions, you might want to come with some pre-prepared, as this demonstrates your interest in the role and the company.
Follow Up. A brief thank-you email after the interview is a nice touch that can sometimes land you the role!
New Zealand's job market for working holiday travellers varies quite a bit, seasonal jobs are common, as are temp jobs across various industries. Knowing where to look can make a big difference in the job hunt process. Here are your main options:
Tradestaff: The go-to website for temporary jobs in the industrial and trades sectors, including construction, electrical, manufacturing, automotive, plumbing, traffic management and transport.
Seek: A large job search platform offering more generalised permanent job search features.
Trade Me Jobs: Another popular platform with built-in application processes.
Zeil: An up and coming job search platform
BackpackerBoard: Specifically caters to working holidaymakers, often featuring seasonal and brief, short-term jobs.
NZ has a few recruitment agencies that specialise in placing temporary and casual staff across various industries. Making yourself known to these agencies is a great way to get access to an additional resource as they often have access to jobs not advertised elsewhere. In some cases, they are even able to place you in jobs as soon as the following day.
These specialist recruitment agencies also offer increased job security, generally better pay rates, nationwide availability, and there's no charge to you as the job seeker. A couple of prominent specialist agencies include Tradestaff (industrial and trades jobs), The Recruitment Network (cleaning and hospitality).
In NZ, who you know can be hugely beneficial in picking up casual or temporary work. This is especially true with hospitality and tourism. Simply walking into local establishments with your CV can be very effective, particularly in smaller towns or popular tourist hubs. Word of mouth or social media groups can also be a good way to get yourself out there and make it known that you are available for work.
Don't underestimate old-school noticeboards in supermarkets, community centres, and backpacker hostels either - many local businesses will advertise here, particularly for smaller temporary roles. Building real-world connections can open doors in NZ!
While almost any job can be an option, some sectors are particularly welcoming to working holiday travellers due to their demand for flexible and temporary staff. The most popular industries for those on a working holiday in NZ are:
Hospitality. Arguably the most common sector, roles include bar staff, wait staff, kitchen hands, chefs, receptionists, and housekeepers in hotels, hostels, cafes, restaurants, and bars. Experience in this sector is highly valued.
Agriculture And Horticulture. As mentioned above, fruit picking, packing, pruning, and vineyard work are NZ staples. Dairy and sheep farming also offer opportunities for farmhands.
Tourism. Tour guides, activity instructors (if qualified), customer service roles, and retail positions in tourist areas are very common.
Construction And Trades. If you have trade qualifications or experience, particularly in carpentry or general labour, you'll find demand in all major cities and some regional areas. Ensure your qualifications are officially translated if necessary.
Au Pair/Nanny. For those who enjoy working with children, live-in child care roles with food provided are sometimes available, a driver's license and police checks are usually required.
Retail. Various retail assistant roles are always available throughout the year, especially in larger towns and cities.
Office And Administration. For those with office experience, temporary admin or reception roles can often be found through specialist recruitment agencies.
New Zealand has an abundance of seasonal work, particularly in agriculture, horticulture, viticulture, hospitality and tourism. If you plan your movements accordingly, you can maximise your chances of finding work.
At the right times of the year (depending on the fruit, eg apples, kiwifruit, stone fruit), you will find plenty of fruit picking/packing work available in regions like the Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay, Marlborough, and Central Otago. This work is physical, but can be well-paying if you're efficient.
Similar to horticulture, vineyard work is commonly available and involves pruning, picking, and general vineyard maintenance. Marlborough and Hawke's Bay are key regions for this type of work. For tourism jobs, Queenstown, Rotorua, Franz Josef, and other tourist hotspots offer roles in hotels, hostels, tour operators, adventure activities, and hospitality, especially during peak summer (December-February) and winter (June-August for ski fields) seasons.
General farm hand roles are available on and off throughout the year, mostly in dairy and sheep farming. A driver's license and some experience with farm machinery can be a big advantage, as is immediate availability - sometimes accommodation is provided on-farm which can be a bonus!
Lastly, once you've navigated your way through the working holiday visa process and managed to get yourself a job, there are a few NZ-specific things you need to be aware of.
Accommodation. You will need to find suitable accommodation, preferably near your place of work to reduce travel times and costs. Backpackers or hostels can be a great starting point but are rarely suitable over the longer term. Plus, they are only available in larger cities. Flatting or house sharing is common practice in NZ and a cost effective way to live.
Transport. Getting around NZ can be tricky especially in rural or remote areas, some travellers choose to buy live-in vans or campers (solving the accommodation and transport problems all at once!), others buy temporary cars to on sell when they no longer need them and some choose public transport which works great in the larger cities but sometimes lacking in smaller towns.
Minimum Wage. As a working holidaymaker, you have the same employment rights as any other New Zealander. This means you are entitled to be paid the legal minimum wage (check the current rate on the Employment New Zealand website).
Employment Agreements. By law, your employer must provide you with a written employment agreement outlining your terms and conditions, including hours, pay, and duties.
Holiday Pay, Sick Leave, and Breaks. You are entitled to holiday pay (usually 8% of your gross earnings), and after 6 months with the same employer, you become eligible for sick leave. You are also entitled to rest and meal breaks.
Public Holiday Pay. If you work on a public holiday, you are typically entitled to 1.5 times your normal pay and a day in lieu.
Tax Implications. Your employer will deduct PAYE (Pay As You Earn) tax from your wages. Ensure you have provided them with your IRD number and the correct tax code (usually "M" for most working holidaymakers). The New Zealand tax year runs from April 1st to March 31st. Many working holidaymakers are eligible for a tax refund at the end of the tax year, so it's worth looking into filing a tax return, especially if you worked for multiple employers or only for part of the year.
Finding a job on your working holiday in New Zealand is part of the travel adventure! It offers not only a little more financial stability but also a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in local culture, meet new people, and gain valuable work experience. With a little bit of careful planning your New Zealand working holiday will be an unforgettable experience! Happy job hunting!
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