Being involved in a summer in New Zealand really allows you to live the dream. Expansive beaches and incredible sunsets are just part of the reasons why New Zealand is one of the most instagrammed countries in the world!
If you're interested in heading ‘Down Under’, here's some useful things to know about working a New Zealand summer season.
From the start of October, the clocks change, the weather gets warmer, and the sunsets start getting later. With this, the influx of tourists begin, and more opportunities for work during the summer season become available, especially in the major cities.
As New Zealand thaws, it transforms from a frozen landscape into a tropical paradise. With 5 star resorts, high end hotels, and popular tourist areas throughout, both islands offer their own unique attractions. Even the ski slopes get in on the act once the snow has melted, with mountain bike tracks opening and luge tracks allowing for ever more adrenaline rushes. Wherever you decide to work in New Zealand, you'll have a perfect base to explore the rest of the country.
Once you’ve had your New Zealand Working Holiday Visa accepted, you’re ready to go on your dream summer season. Head out on countrywide road trips and beach days for adventure on your days off - there’s so many areas to choose from, and there’s something to suit every kind of explorer.
With two islands worth of incredible scenery, your main issue will be deciding where to base up. Those who head North are spoilt for choice - the major cities of Auckland and Wellington also provide a great base to explore from.
The backpacker paradise of Lake Taupo is also super popular, and is also close to the culturally important area of Rotorua. But if resort and hotel work isn’t for you, the climate of the North Island means it’s a haven for those looking for farm work. Have you done a backpacker gap year if you haven’t tried some farm work?! Down on the South Island, ‘the adventure capital of the world’, Queenstown, pulls in huge tourist crowds for it’s crazy activities and stunning scenery.
Queenstown is probably the most popular place in New Zealand for the summer season, and for good reason. Resorts always need customer service and hospitality superstars to help serve the massive amount of visitors they get, and you’ll make friends for life while you're there.
No matter where you go, you’ll end up exploring the rest of New Zealand in your spare time. Flights between the Islands cost on average, less than $200, whereas the ferry across is also a bucket list item. Add in cheap Intercity buses, and you’ll be able to get to all those bucket list destinations.
The right people with the right attitude are always in demand in New Zealand. It’s a friendly country which prides itself on it’s inclusive nature, so those coming in from other countries to work are warmly welcomed.
The high tourism numbers in New Zealand means there’s always roles available across the country, for those willing to work hard with a smile. Whether you prefer to help out on the water (considering no part of New Zealand is further than 128km to the ocean), or bask in the sun picking kiwi fruit on a farm, you’ll be able to find what suits you best.
Just like in the winter, there are a variety of different roles available for those who put the customer first. If you've got solid retail or shop experience, you can put your previous cashier, stock and customer management experiences into a new team.
Roles include the likes of retail assistant, ticket sellers, front desk and many more.
If you're comfortable dealing with customers face to face, you'll be perfect in a hospitality role. As with any role, the more experience you have, the better, but it's more about keeping a bright smile on your face.
Whether you've been whipping up cocktails in a bar, or whipping up cakes in a kitchen, there'll be a role for you.
This can include farm and agricultural work, berry picking, recreational jobs such as lifeguards, order packers, and more.
New Zealand, when compared to it's gigantic neighbour Australia, doesn’t cover much area, but it’s a small country that packs a punch. The sun certainly shines down on all of it, and this means that you can find a summer season in all it’s spectacular locations, but some of the below are real favourites with backpackers:
Situated on the North Island of New Zealand, between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea, Northland is a hotspot for travellers. Check out the Bay of Islands, Ninety Mild Beach, the sandboarding dunes, and it's many sheltered beaches. It's also full of history - the Waitangi Treaty Grounds are located here, as well as quite a few historic colonial towns.
Auckland, Tauranga/Mount Manganui, & Bay of Plenty
Framed by the gorgeous Southern Alps on the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is renowned as the adrenaline capital of the world. The winter ski season gives way to adrenaline-pumping activities such as bungee jumping, jet-boating, and skydiving. You'll also be able to explore vineyards, historic mining towns, and more.
Taupo, Wellington, & Christchurch
