The long white cloud

Work and travel in New Zealand

Safe, friendly, drop-dead gorgeous and with good job prospects. No, not our USIT dating profile – but the reasons why you should do a working holiday in New Zealand.

We have hundreds of working holiday jobs in New Zealand to fill right now.

Holy sheep!

Why work and travel in New Zealand?

Home to snow-capped peaks, golden surf beaches and coolly creative cities, Aeoteroa or New Zealand is a showstopper. And Kiwis know it (the people, not the birds). They’re some of the proudest in the world – protective over their environment and the nation’s rich Māori culture. Inventors of the phrase 'too easy', they're also some of the friendliest and most laidback.

Need to know before you go

Where to go

When the travel gods were thinking ahead to 2015 #vanlife hashtags, they earmarked New Zealand. The best place on the planet to do a campervan roadtrip, you can get around the best of the North and South Islands in around two months. Giving you the option to pick up casual work to fund your travels, or base yourself in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington or Queenstown doing career or trade jobs – getting on the road at weekends and holidays to explore.

What it pays

New Zealand has one of the highest minimum wages, currently NZD $22.70/hour. The cost of living can be high, so opt for seasonal fruit picking, vineyard work or hospitality work in resorts and hotels which often includes subsidised staff accommodation. If you're looking to do professional or trade work, your earning potential will be much higher – especially as you can work for the same employer for the full year of your New Zealand working holiday visa.

When to go

New Zealand works year-round, with ski season winters and beach barbecue summers. The summer (Dec-Feb) is high season, bringing with it seasonal hospitality and tourism jobs to help with the crowds. By June, it’s gearing up for ski season with resort work on both islands – with Queenstown being the goal for many working holidaymakers. Shoulder season (March-May, Sep-Nov) are great times to explore between jobs – with cheaper digs and fewer campers on the roads.

All New Zealand Programs

Work New Zealand

Upcoming Events

Free virtual info event - Mon 2 Oct '23 @ 17:30

J1 USA with USIT - Get ready for summer '24

Your J1 ride or die, we’ve hollered around this rodeo a few times. For 65+ years in fact, so it’s fair to say we have this whole job thing covered. Log on to our virtual information session to learn more about USIT's famous J1 program and how you can start preparing now.

Free virtual info event - Thu 5 Oct '23 @ 17:30

Grad USA with USIT - Everything you need to know

Final year student or recent grad? You only have 12 months after finishing your degree to enter the USA on our 1-year Grad USA visa. In this free info session, we'll go through everything you need to know about who can go, how to apply and what positions you can do.

Free virtual info event - Mon 9 Oct '23 @ 17:30

Camp USA - Everything you need to know

Spend your summer living, earning and having the time of your life as an Activity Specialist or Camp Counsellor in the USA. Job placement and new BFFs included. Join our travel talk for the need to know on visas and how USIT helps you land a job before you go.

Work Australia - Virtual Event with USIT

Free virtual info event - Tue 17 Oct '23 @ 17:30

Work & travel Australia with USIT and Tourism Australia!

Thinking about taking the plunge and making the move to Australia this year? We've partnered up with Tourism Australia - so don't miss our next free virtual info event where we will be talking all things Australia and giving you the low-down on everything you need to know!