17 days
Work & Travel New Zealand
12 months' job support & the best of both islands
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Trip Highlights
- Live and work anywhere in New Zealand for up to 3 years
- Enjoy the full support of our jobs team and access to our jobs database for 12 months
- Build your CV and earn a competitive salary doing a range of awesome jobs
- Explore some of the most beautiful places on Earth on our 17-day tour, including Milford Sound, Lake Taupo, Tekapo and Wanaka
Trip Overview
Work & Travel New Zealand is the dream Kiwi working holiday. Kick off with 17 days touring the highlights of both North and South islands, before starting your job hunt. You’ll have 12 months’ access to our massive jobs database and the full support of our amazing local jobs team (who will set you up with everything you need to live and work in NZ), so you’ll find your dream job in no time. With jobs available all over the country, it’s the perfect way to explore beautiful New Zealand without breaking the bank. Best of all, you’ll be starting your adventure with a ready-made travel crew, so as well as building your CV and seeing some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet, you’ll make some friends for life.
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- 16 nights’ accommodation
- 10 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 3 dinners
- Group leader
- Airport transfer on arrival - if travelling before 1st October 2025
- All on-trip transport
- NZ bank account, IRD number & SIM card
- Access to the NZ jobs app
- Work in NZ presentation
- CV building and interview skills
- Unlimited job-finding assistance and advice
- Waitomo glow-worm caves boat tour
- Hobbiton film set tour
- Kerosene creek
- Wai-O-Tapu thermal pools
- Maori cultural experience
- Lake Taupo sailing
- Huka Falls
- Wellington city orientation
- Christchurch city orientation
- Lake Tekapo hot pools
- Mount John hike
- Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
- Kayaking on Lake Wanaka
- Queenstown city orientation
- Milford Sound cruise
- Lake Wakatipu jetboating
- Help with onward travel
- 24-hour emergency support
What's Not Included
- International flights
- Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Airport transfer on arrival - if travelling after 1st October 2025
- Return airport transfers
- Most meals
- Snacks and drinks
- Optional activities
This trip includes 16 nights of hostel accommodation (during the tour section of the trip). All rooms are on a mixed dorm-style basis with shared bathrooms. All hostels have Wi-Fi, kitchen and dining areas and laundry rooms.
Long-term accommodation
After the tour section of the trip (days 1 – 17) is over, you’ll need to arrange your own accommodation while living and working in New Zealand. Many of our travellers rent an apartment with the friends they’ve made during the tour. Alternatively, you may like to extend your stay in a hostel. Many hostels offer cheaper rates for long-term stays. Renting is usually a cheaper option, but hostels offer more flexibility, so it depends on what your priorities are. Our team in New Zealand will give you lots of advice and help you in your search for suitable accommodation.
Meals
This trip includes 10 breakfasts, 2 lunch and 3 dinners (during the tour section of the trip).With cooking facilities at all the hostels and access to some great restaurants and bars, there’s plenty of options for the remainder of your meals.
Day 1: Arrive in Auckland
Welcome to New Zealand! Arrive at a time that suits you and jump on the airport shuttle that will take you from the airport to your starting accommodation. Depending what time you arrive, take some time to chill out after your flight, meet the rest of the group, or get to know gorgeous Auckland a little better.
Day 2: Waitomo, Hobbiton & Rotorua
Enjoy a spot of magic with a stop at Waitomo's famous glow-worm caves for a fairy-tale boat trip, lit up by the fluorescent insects. Next, it's a treat for Tolkien fans as we explore the real life Hobbiton, before continuing on to Rotorua.
Day 3: Get to know Rotorua
Take a dip in the naturally heated waters of Kerosene Creek before heading to Wai-O-Tapu for geysers, volcanic craters and bubbling mud pools!
Day 4: Rotorua and Māori village
Enjoy some free time this morning to ride Rotorua's panoramic sky luge, or try zorbing! Then this evening, we'll immerse ourselves in Māori culture.
Day 5: Lake Taupo
Check out beautiful Taupo, for lake views and snow-capped mountains. The sunset cruise we've got lined up this evening is out of this world.
Day 6: Huka Falls
Witness the power of Mother Nature at Huka Falls today, before enjoying some free time to go skydiving or bungee jumping!
Day 7: Travel to Wellington
Next stop, the Kiwi capital! Wellington is a charming city that is easy to walk around, so upon arrival get ready to dive into Wellington's incredible ambience - cute cafes, amazing restaurants, lively bars and more!
Day 8: Discover Wellington
Today we'll get better acquainted with Wellington and see the city's most famous highlights. We'll ride Wellington's iconic cable car to see the city from a gorgeous viewpoint, before diving into New Zealand's rich history at Te Papa Tongarewa Museum.
Day 9: Fly to Christchurch
We're wasting no time today as we take a short flight to Christchurch on the South Island. You'll be taken from the airport to your city centre hostel, where you can drop your bags, freshen up and get ready for a fun night out with the crew!
Day 10: Christchurch and Lake Tekapo
Uncover Christchurch's laidback ambience and heritage sights before heading to our next destination, the mind-blowingly beautiful Lake Tekapo. Enjoy a relaxed evening by the lake with your mates.
Day 11: Lake Tekapo
Explore Tekapo today, taking plenty of selfies in front of the bright blue water. We'll take a stunning hike up Mount John where we'll enjoy 360-degree views across the milky turquoise lake. Tonight, we've got a special experience lined up for you with a visit to the Tekapo Springs while stargazing!
Day 12: Aoraki/Mount Cook
Today, we'll explore the jaw-dropping landscapes of the highest mountain in New Zealand, Aoraki/Mount Cook - aka the peak of New Zealand!
Day 13: Wanaka
We'll explore Wanaka today, with a stop at the iconic Wanaka Tree - star of Instagram. We'll get out on the water with a special kayaking expedition, before stretching our legs with the awesome Mount Iron Hike - expect 360 views of mountains and the lake!
Day 14: Queenstown
Welcome to the world's Adventure Capital! We have some amazing career activities lined up today to help you get fully sorted into living and working in New Zealand.
Day 15: Milford Sound
Today's destination is as epic as they come. Milford Sound is a breath-taking fjord in the heart of Fjordland which we'll explore on a scenic cruise. Think towering cliffs, deep blue ocean, waterfalls, and ancient forest!
Day 16: Queenstown & jetboating
We're back in Queenstown, and there's no better way to explore the city than on a jetboat ride! We'll be whizzing through a canyon at 80kmh - hold onto your hats!
Day 17: Tour end
The tour section of your adventure comes to an end today, but there's so much fun yet to come on your working holiday in New Zealand!
Living and Working in New Zealand
Once the tour leg of the trip is over, it's time to start your new life in New Zealand! Our jobs team are available to you throughout the entire duration of your stay, so you'll always have our support.
The programme includes:
• Two comprehensive work sessions where you'll find out about looking for jobs, interview techniques, creating a CV for the NZ jobs' market and more
• Unlimited support from the jobs team after the tour is over
• Access to our online jobs database
• Advice on finding accommodation
• Kiwi bank account and SIM card
• IRD (Inland Revenue Department) Number
• Advice and access to any training courses you need
• Visa information
• Departure advice
For more information on jobs available please download the trip notes.
Please note activities and itineraries are subject to change.
Booking Options Payment plans available
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Online booking is unavailable for this trip
Online booking isn't currently available but if you'd like to enquire please use the form below. Alternatively if you'd like to discuss alternate trips or if you have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact us.Call us on: 01892 527392
Email us at: [email protected]
Flight Options Quotes available
Our partners at Flights 360 can find you the best fares available. Get in touch for a free quote.
Arrival Information:
Arrive in Auckland Airport (AKL) on day 1 of your trip. There are no activities on this day so arrive at a time that suits you. For trips departing before 1st October 2025 you will receive an airport shuttle to the starting accommodation. If you arrive before your start date, we can still organise your airport transfer and book you into the hostel from the day you arrive at an extra cost. For trips departing after 1st October 2025, an airport transfer is not included and you will need to make your own way to the starting accommodation. A travel advisor can provide you with more details on this.
Age & Eligibility:
Due to Working Holiday Visa (WHV) age restrictions, this trip is only available to 18–35-year-olds. Working Holiday Visas are usually valid for 12, 23 or 36 months. You’ll need to apply for your visa before travelling.
To be eligible for a Work Visa, you must:
- Hold a valid passport
- Be aged between 18 and 35 years old
- Hold a British passport, or other eligible country passport
- Have a minimum of NZ$350 a month or NZ$4200 for 12 months to support yourself during your trip
- Have a return ticket or sufficient funds to buy a ticket
- Meet health and character requirements
- Not previously have been approved a permit or visa under a New Zealand Working Holiday scheme
- Your passport should be valid for a minimum of three months from your date of exit
Find out more about the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa here. Visa requirements are subject to change so make sure you check before you travel.
Want to check the demographics of your start date? Request the demographics here >
