New Zealand Overview

Travel level

Experienced

Visa required

Working Holiday

Cost of living

Medium

Currency

NZD (New Zealand Dollar)

Work Abroad in New Zealand

New Zealand has long been a top destination for working holidays, thanks to an incredible fusion of adventure, culture, and opportunity rarely found in other destinations.



Its two islands, North and South Island, are home to areas of outstanding natural beauty, with breathtaking landscapes like Tongariro National Park and Milford Sound on many an adventurer's bucket list. It's also home to a wide range of individual adventure activities, with ski resorts and slopes that can rival some of the best globally and more thrill-seeking activities than most countries despite its smaller size.



Yet, one of the major draws for those wanting to work abroad in New Zealand for many is its proud respect for native Māori culture and history, which is deeply intertwined with the country's soul. There are a lot of important cultural sites throughout the country, and deep reverence is paid to those who came before them.



Whether you seek adventure or cultural enrichment, New Zealand provides a welcoming environment for diverse travellers, making it an ideal place to work abroad and explore.


Learn more about New Zealand.

New Zealand, for a relatively small country, packs one hell of a punch when it comes to being a travel destination. Its deep history and culture are on display throughout both physical monuments and everyday life, whilst also becoming one of the activity capitals of the world. From skiing to bungee jumping, there's something for anyone who loves to get the blood pumping.

Key Facts

  • Population: 5.5m
  • Number of Regions: 16
  • Capital: Wellington
  • Currency: New Zealand Dollar
  • Area: 268,000 km2
  • Yearly Tourists: 4.5m

Major Cities

  • Auckland
  • Christchurch
  • Wellington
  • Hamilton
  • Tauranga

Culture

New Zealand, known for its stunning natural beauty, also boasts a deeply ingrained Māori culture, evident in daily life, language (Te Reo), and government recognition. From the Waitangi Treaty Grounds to Rotorua's vibrant Maori traditions, visitors can immerse themselves respectfully in this proud and influential aspect of New Zealand's identity. New Zealand's identity goes hand in hand with Maori culture, and the deep respect for their ancestors and their history is rarely seen elsewhere in the modern world.

Sports

Sports are ingrained in New Zealand, most evidently with the famous All-Black national rugby team. The Haka, a respected, powerful tradition passed down generations, has become part of their pre-match routine, which the whole world wants to see to tell others 'I was there'. They also have a lot of sportspeople who have achieved a lot in world sport, such as Israel Adesanya, Joseph Parker, Steven Adams, Lydia Ko, and more, showing the country's rich sporting heritage.

Music

Many musicians have come out from New Zealand and have significantly impacted the world scene. More recently, the likes of Shapeshifter and Lorde have captured mainstream attention, whilst many more national artists capture a more traditional sense of New Zealand heritage through their music.

Environment

New Zealand is a relatively small country by land mass, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in sheer beauty. You'll find incredible sights everywhere across two picturesque islands, North and South Island. It's also a fun fact that you're never more than 220 km away from the coast, no matter where you are in the country. This is why it's blessed with stunning beach backdrops, such as the black sand of Piha Beach, Takapuna Beach, Mount Maunganui, and more.


Yet the South Island is where ski enthusiasts love. Queenstown is one of the world's most beautiful cities/towns, with ski resorts dotted all around, making it a true winter wonderland.