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Te Nikau Retreat
Getting about
Mt Cook
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R U Looking to spend time travelling in NZ?
If U R then this is the place for U!
If you are just going for a holiday and don’t intend to work then you won’t need a visa but they will expect you to have a return ticket. If you're under 30 you can get a working holiday visa which will allow you to stay in NZ for a year, and also work while you're there. You will also need a New Zealand tax number - contact www.ird.govt.nz for details. You will need these even if you only intend to WWOOF, (Willing Workers On Organic Farms). For more details and registration contact www.wwoof.co.nz. Wwoofing will enable you to stay on a farm with free board and lodging in return for some work. Whilst it is mainly on farms, there a whole range of other activities available on the same basis - one of the most common is working in backpackers hostels. This can often save you a small fortune in accommodation costs.
If you're looking for accommodation whilst away, one of the best ways of doing this is by staying in backpackers hostels, and if you are willing to go into dorms the cost can be as little as £6 per night. You can reduce this further by becoming a member of YHA, VIP, or BBH. Of the three BBH would seem to be the best option as there are more hostels affiliated to the scheme, some 315 and rising. At the time of writing, the BBH card costs 40 NZ dollars about £15 and this includes a 20 dollar phone card. Membership entitles you to a discount in the hostel, usually 2 bucks per person -so stopping ten nights pays for the card and you are still able to phone home or to the next hostel. The BBH produce a handbook containing info and maps about the hostel and you are able to comment on the condition of the hostel. These comments go to giving each hostel a score so you can see what other backpackers thought of the place last year. For more info contact www.bbh.co.nz. But you aren’t limited to backpackers belonging to these schemes, as there are plenty of independents as well.
Ok, so what kind of work is there that pays real money? If you are qualified in a trade or profession then you could probably get a temporary job doing that. If you do intend going along those lines then take some kind of documentation to show your qualifications and some references. If you’re looking for a change and want to earn a little cash there would appear to be plenty of jobs going in the fruit industry especially in Northland, which is sub-tropical, and has things going on all year. There are loads of websites offering advice on where to go and what to do. Try typing in fruit picking in New Zealand on google and there are over 13,000 listings. If know how to work an expresso (short black in NZ) coffee machine and can serve at table then you will probably be able to find a job in a café/coffee shop. Again check the websites for information about jobs and look for info in the backpackers hostels especially in the larger towns and cities. If you’re a ski or snowboarding junkie look for jobs in the Queenstown, Wanaka areas especially if they have accommodation with them. Whilst you’re in Wanaka you MUST go to the cinema (it's something else!) and the food is brilliant- try the paella.
How are you going to get from one place to another? Public transport as we know it in the UK does not really exist in NZ but there are numerous buses designed for backpackers and tourists to use to get round the country. If you are travelling between North and South Islands you will need to use either the ferry from Wellington to Picton or fly from north to south. Be careful with costs as you can often find that the cost of flying from Wellington to Christchurch can be cheaper than the cost of the ferry and bus to the same destination and the saving in time is quite considerable. It is possible to travel between Auckland and Wellington and Picton to Christchurch by train but both journeys are quite slow and can be expensive if you don’t book ahead. The one railway journey that is most recommended is that between Christchurch and Greymouth via Arthur’s Pass. This is a truly spectacular journey and you can break your journey at Arthur’s Pass stay a couple of nights and going tramping in the area before rejoining the train and getting to the West Coast. When you arrive at Greymouth you will find that the buses to the rest of the West Coast area there or arrive fairly soon after the train to take you on. Don’t worry if the train is late as the buses will wait for the train. Now to the buses. There are several large companies that operate buses through out New Zealand and by buying one of their package deals you are able to travel all over using that company. Although this might be cheaper you may find that your options on destinations are limited to where these bus companies are going. If you want more flexibility check out the various smaller companies that operate shuttle buses (buses carrying about a dozen people with a trailer for luggage) which seem to be everywhere. Check out these websites for more information about them - www.travelpass.co.nz ,www.intercitycoach.co.nz, www.magicbus.co.nz, www.kiwiexperience.com. These are the big players but there are plenty of others, try here www.backpack-newzealand.com/Transportation/Shuttles/. One thing to remember especially during the busy season is that you should always book your seat at least a day in advance.
For more information about New Zealand and travelling around try backbacker board, if you don't fancy that then try google and see what thye have to offer.
If you find that you have a problem whilst in New Zealand try CAB New Zealand.
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