New Zealand

Red05

Me and three friends are planning on heading to NZ for the summer. Not really a clue where to start. Think we have to get 1 year working holiday visas but the NZ Govt.'s website isnt totally clear.

Anyone done this before?

Maybe you could give a few tips? Where to go about flights, visas, etc.

Thanks!

Rabies

Hi,

I'm in NZ on a working holiday visa, moved over in November.

Flights cost e1200, stop over in London and Hong Kong then on to Auckland.

I used Visa First to handle all my paper work as I didn't have time. Some Boards members have had problems using them, but it was fine for me.

Auckland is ok. living here now. Rent is no where near as expensive as dublin. I have a 2 bed apartment in the city centre for NZ$300 a week (e150) between two of us.

The cost of living isn't as high as Ireland but the wages are a bit lower. Not sure about the construction trade.

The weather is kinda like Ireland, it can change at a moments notice. Rains once or twice a week, but it averages about 20-25c these days in Auckland. The east coast around Napier is warmer, about 28-30c.

Loads of places to go and see in NZ and so much to do if you have the time and money. Jump on a back backer bus like Kiwi Experience or Stray and see the sights.

Car hire is about NZ$600-700 (inc insurance) for week. But there is cheaper places like Rent a Wreck.

Any more questions just ask here or pm me.

Red05

Thanks for the excellent reply!

Ya I was told last night about visa first.

What about jobs? Are they hard to come by? Only planning on going for four months at the most.

What age do you have to be to hire a car?

Whats the standard of living like?


Got loads of questions!

Cheers!

Mickeroo

I'm heading to NZ on saturday myself. Got a year long working visa and a 3 month holiday visa for Oz. Did it all through the www.usit.ie website, which i think uses visa first and had no problems with them at all!

jabberwock

My self and the grlfriend are on our way to NZ at the moment, going through South America.

We both used the online NZ immigration site and have gotten our electronic visas not long after applying.

send me a pm if ya want

Rabies

Sorry about the late reply. Was camping up the coast all week

What about jobs? Are they hard to come by? Only planning on going for four months at the most.
Loads of low paying jobs, cafe and bar work. Construction work is always in the paper. Loads if work if you have a trade.

What age do you have to be to hire a car?
I'm 26 with a full license, so there was no problem for me. Not sure of the age requirements.

Whats the standard of living like?
Similar to Ireland. Very clean and green. Decent weather, but like Ireland it can change a moments notice. People are friendly. Wages are a bit lower than Ireland and Austraila, but it is cheaper to live here so it balances out.

Rudolph Claus

Howdy, ive similar questions as Red05.
im going over with some friends for the summer too, soon as we finish our exams. 2 the lads want to go for the whole 3months and work whereas me and another lad just wanna go for about 6weeks holiday more so than a working holiday. Whats the best way to do this: Do me and the other lad just get a holiday visa as we probably wont be working and do the 2lads staying the 3months and want to work get a working visa or what? What exactly is a visa anyway?

We`re supposed to be booking this next week but we havnt a clue what exactly we need to apply for and book. Ive more questions but someone could answer the ones above for starters it`d be great.

Rabies

New Zealand immigration site, might be able to help with some of the visa related Q's.

If your friends are planning on working for the summer then they need a working holiday visa.

As for a standard holiday visa I presume you can apply online. I'm not sure what the story is regarding Ireland/NZ if you need one before you depart or get it on arrival.

6 weeks is loads of time to see NZ. You won't be bored. I spent 1 one week traveling just the top half of the north island.

If your mates are planning on working then I presume they will be neededing a place to stay. Try trademe.co.nz for listings. If you are in Auckland and need a hostel stay in the ACB on Queen St, nice place, clean and has its own employment agency, net cafe and travel agency.

kinaldo

Sorry slightly off topic, but does anyone know of any sites with a price guide for working holiday visas around the world? I noticed the NZ working holiday visa like Australia is quite expensive. Compared to say Japan anyway where us Irish can now get them for free!

maplanois

Kinaldo,

Would you have a link to info about getting a Japanese working holiday visa?

I've looked here but dont see Ireland mentioned in the list of countries.

http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/04.html

"At present Japan has such working holiday agreements with five countries: Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea."

Thanks

maplanois

found answer here - http://www.ie.emb-japan.go.jp/Working%20Holiday%20(Info).htm

kinaldo

maplanois wrote:

Kinaldo,

Would you have a link to info about getting a Japanese working holiday visa?

I've looked here but dont see Ireland mentioned in the list of countries.

http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/04.html

"At present Japan has such working holiday agreements with five countries: Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea."

Thanks

Sorry no link but I can tell you they introduced working holiday visas for Irish citizens just this year. I now have one attached to my passport. Go down to the Japanese Embassy which is located in the Merrion Centre across from St. Vincents Hospital. They'll ask you to fill out some forms including a resume, and to type up your reasons for wanting to go there. You'll also need a passport photo, bank statement, and travel insurance certificate, as well as being able to relinquish your passport to them for one week.

Hope this helps.

blobster

I hope you guys that are coming over 'in the summer' realise that will be the winter here.:)

Car hire is difficult for under-25s.

Unemployment is very low these days, so plenty of work. 20 years ago NZ had a very high standard of living, but we have slipped a bit. Still better than most places, though.

You must try to get to the Marlborough and Nelson regions at the top of the South Island and the West Coast of the South Island. Auckland is just another big city, really.

therecklessone

Red05 wrote:

What age do you have to be to hire a car?

21 with a full license, though under-25s often pay more for insurance.

Rent a Dent will do you good deals on cars with higher mileage than your usual rental car, perfectly decent cras though (apart from the one I managed to write off...:o )