Living in New Zealand Part 2: Real Live Jobs

One of the major focuses of this blog has been, and continues to be, affordable travel. If you scroll through the archives, you'll find a 4-part series called Living Abroad (Without Bags of $), and an additional post on financing your time abroad. The goal of the current series on Living in New Zealand is to "get specific" with these general concepts. So, while much the contents are equally applicable in other places (especially Australia, which is very similar to NZ when it comes to visas and job opportunities), keep in mind that not everything will hold true outside of New Zealand.

Real Live Jobs...

Are abundant for Working Holiday visa holders, if you know where to look. The following non-exhaustive list will give a profile of a wide variety of job opportunities, some of which are paid and some of which are not. It's worth mentioning that volunteer positions are often a lot more attractive than they sound, financially speaking. Think of it this way: earning a small wage and spending most (if not all) of it on living expenses isn't much different than working an unpaid job in exchange for food and lodging, especially since lodging can be a real headache. If you find a paid job that also covers lodging, you've really hit the jackpot. Anyway, here goes:

1. Christian Camping

If you have experience working at a camp, or don't but wish you did, you're in luck. New Zealand boasts an extensive camping industry, and given the nature of the work, they're always in need of staff to fill a variety of positions. Unlike in the U.S., most of these camps are open year-round serving school and church groups, so you'll have work for as long as you want it, from a few weeks to a full year (or more if you can extend your visa). To get the gig, go to the Christian Camping New Zealand website, put together a list of camps you're interested in, and send out email inquiries asking about available paid and/or volunteer positions. It's that simple. Even if a camp's website says their staff needs are filled, there's no harm in asking.

Location: Just about anywhere. Find a map of camp locations here.
Duration: Flexible (i.e. you can move around from camp to camp with relative ease).
Job Type: Hosting (activities + cleaning), maintenance, office, kitchen, equestrian.
Compensation: Typically just food and lodging; paid positions exist but are rare.
How to Apply: Informal email inquiries, followed by CVs/references on request.
Tip: You do not have to be a Christian to work for the majority of Christian camps.

Lakes Ranch in Rotorua, one of dozens of Christian camps across New Zealand. 

SPACE

2. Fruit Harvesting

New Zealand is known for its agriculture, especially the fast-growing wine industry. As such there is huge demand for "pickers" to harvest and pack fruit and vegetables. Job conditions and accommodation vary widely from place to place, but you can count on finding work throughout the year in a variety of locales. Word on the street is the work can be pretty monotonous, but the pay is good, probably the best you'll find for a short-term job.There are a number of websites with detailed information on this sort of work, but PickNZ is generally accepted as the go-to place for wannabe pickers. 

Location: Farms/orchards/vineyards across the country (see detailed job map here).

Duration: Varies, but most locations have a multi-week minimum commitment. 

Job Type: Harvesting, packing, pruning, inspecting. 

Compensation: Anywhere from $13.75 to $20 NZD/hr (roughly $11-$16 USD/hr). 

How to Apply: Contact a regional representative for assistance.

Tip: Many hostels offer to find work for backpackers staying with them - just search Google!

3. DOC Hut Warden

If you love (and I mean love) the outdoors and don't mind pretty bare-bones accommodation, consider volunteering with the NZ Department of Conservation as a Hut Warden. It's kind of like being a Park Ranger! Sort of. Basically you live in and manage one of the many "huts" (essentially back-country hostels) located along multi-day hiking trails throughout the country. Duties include bookings, giving out weather reports, maintaining the hut and nearby trails, and search and rescue. You'll get to live somewhere gorgeous, meet all kinds of people, do all the hiking you can handle, and even participate in research. This might not be the poshest option on the list (though many of the huts are surprisingly civilized), but it sure is one of the coolest, and if you're considering a career in anything outdoors, it also counts as serious résumé-building. For more info, see individual listings here. 

Location: Regional and National Parks throughout the country (see link above). 

Duration: Varies, but openings increase during the NZ summer months (November-February).
Job Type: Some combination of hospitality, cleaning/maintenance, and outdoor research.
Compensation: Lodging and (usually) basic food.
How to Apply: See individual listings via above link.
Tip: A good command of the English language is generally a requirement.

4. Hobbiton

Yes, Hobbiton is a real place, and yes, you can work there. We took my family to visit, and our tour guide was a 20-something American who really liked Lord of the Rings. 'Nuff said. Obviously this is a more specific option than others on the list (there's only one Hobbiton, after all), so the number of available jobs are fewer. You have to apply at the right time - the U.S. summer is your best bet - and hope there's an opening. But it's a worthy goal for any Tolkien fan/aspirational tour guide.

Location: The Alexander Farm, outside of Matamata in the Waikato region.

Duration: Tours operate year-round, but increase dramatically over the NZ summer.

Job Type: Tour guide, food service (in The Green Dragon!), basic cleaning. 

Compensation: Unsure, probably at/around minimum wage (about $11.50 USD/hr). 

How to Apply: Keep tabs on Jobseeker and Hospotrade, where Hobbiton lists annually. 

Tip: The closer to a full year you're available to work, the more likely you are to get the job.

View of the Mill and The Green Dragon from Party Field in Hobbiton

SPACE

5. Ski Fields

The New Zealand winter coincides with summer in the States, so ski field work is particuarly well-suited for college students wanting to travel over summer break. Previous experience is great, but you can also complete an instructor program (or work in a hospitality role). Obviously the job only lasts the winter (June-September/October) so plan accordingly. 

Location: Queenstown, Wanaka, Methven, Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook. 

Duration: Ski season, typically June-September/October.

Job Type: Ski/snowboard instruction, lodge hospitality.

Compensation: Depends on past experience and location. 

How to Apply: For instructor positions, look here and here; for hospitality work, see here and here. 

Tip: If you can take an instructor course in the States before you go, you'll up your salary.