Once you arrive in New Zealand for your working holiday where do you even begin? Well after you’ve gotten over your jet lag there are a few important tasks that need to be completed in order to get the ball rolling. The start of a New Zealand working holiday can be quite overwhelming so I’ve created this checklist to help simplify the process.
1. Purchase a Sim Card
The first thing you’ll want to do is purchase a local sim card and obtain a New Zealand phone number as a means of communication.
Roaming is expensive and no one in New Zealand will want to contact you because it would cost a lot for them to do so.
The most economically sound option would be to bring an unlocked phone from your home country and then purchasing a prepay plan in New Zealand. If you choose to buy a new phone in New Zealand instead, I recommend just getting a cheap basic phone that you wouldn’t mind dropping on a hike or getting wet in the ocean, etc.
Prepay plans are affordable, simple to set up, straightforward, and easy to terminate. They provide more flexibility and you pay for services upfront. Prepay plans are the best option because most likely you don’t know how long you’re going to stay in New Zealand so you wouldn’t want to get stuck in a contract.
Some popular phone companies in New Zealand are Spark, 2degrees, and Vodafone.
I decided to go with Spark and purchased a prepaid plan when I arrived at the airport.
2. Acquire a Proof of Address
Before you can open a bank account, you’ll need to show a proof of address. Because you need a New Zealand address ask your accommodation for permission to use their address.
If you’re staying at a hostel you shouldn’t have any issues as this is a common request. However, if your hostel, hotel, or Airbnb indeed refuses then find someplace else that is willing to assist.
I was able to get a proof of address from my hostel.
3. Open an NZ Bank Account
If you’re planning to get a job in New Zealand then you will need to open a bank account in order to get paid. In addition, you’ll need a New Zealand bank account before you can apply for an IRD number.
Schedule your bank appointment right away because they tend book out fast especially in the major cities. Branches outside of city center will have more availability.
Some established banks in New Zealand are ANZ, Kiwibank, and Westpac.
I banked with ANZ. The day I landed in Auckland I went to a bunch of banks in the city searching for the earliest appointment. Most of them were already fully booked for weeks so they advised me to look outside of CBD. I eventually went to Newmarket and was able to book an appointment with ANZ for the very next day.
4. Obtain an IRD Number
IRD stands for “Inland Revenue Department”. An IRD number is a unique tax number assigned to you so that you can pay the proper taxes while you work in New Zealand.
Everyone in New Zealand needs to pay taxes on income earned. Without an IRD number your wage will be taxed on a “non-declaration rate” which is a lot higher than normal rates. So it’s very important to obtain your IRD number if you are planning to work in New Zealand.
You can either apply for an IRD number online (quickest and easiest method) on the IRD website or via mail. You don’t need a job offer in order to apply but you will need proof of a New Zealand bank account.
I applied online and was issued an IRD number within 2 business days.
5. Apply for Jobs
Working holiday visa holders often end up with jobs in hospitality and agriculture.
Seek is New Zealand’s top online employment marketplace featuring a ton of job listings.
Still, the traditional method of going to businesses in person and asking if they are hiring goes a long way in New Zealand.
Work for accommodation is another great option. Some popular platforms are Workaway, WWOOF, and HelpX. There are also always plenty of hostels looking for an extra pair of hands.
I got my restaurant job in Auckland by applying directly on the company’s website. I also found farm work through Workaway.
6. Arrange Accommodation
Once you settle into your new base you’ll have to select your accommodation whether it be long-term hostel stays, renting a flat, or so on.
If you’re seeking a flat then Trade Me is a great resource. There are loads of listings from people searching for flatmates.
I opted for hostel my first two weeks because I wanted to get adjusted and meet new friends. Once I determined that Auckland was going to be my base while I worked, I rented a flat conveniently located in CBD.
7. Miscellaneous
Other things you might want to do soon after arriving in New Zealand:
Contact Home– let family and friends know that you have arrived safe and sound
Notify Embassy– just as a safety precaution inform your embassy that you’ll be living abroad for a while
Grocery Shopping– cooking at hostels will help you save money; Countdown is a great grocery chain to shop at
Shopping in General– in case you forgot something or are missing specific essentials the big cities will offer a wider selection; The Warehouse is a budget-friendly one-stop shop
Sort Out Mode of Transportation– before you hit the road you should plan out how you’ll be getting around; book buses, buy a car, organize a carpool, etc.
Invest in a Transit Card– it’s worth it if you plan on commuting around because you’ll be able to benefit from discounts on fares; I purchased an AT HOP card for Auckland
Explore Your Arrival City– amid the stress of getting settled make sure to set some time aside to sightsee and wander around a bit
I hope you found this checklist helpful and that you are now better prepared to set things in motion once you arrive in New Zealand for your working holiday.
For additional content on New Zealand, check out my guide on the NZ USA Working Holiday Visa. Learn about how I came to the decision to leave my EPIK life abroad in Korea for a year-long working holiday in New Zealand. Read about the very first day of my working holiday adventure.
Have you been granted a New Zealand working holiday visa? How are the preparations coming along? Let me know in the comments!
