Original by Jisu Caicai on Happy Trip, 2023-02-05 09:05:47
Today’s article is a “recruitment post.”
It’s not us at Happy Trip hiring, but New Zealand. The benefits are pretty good, with a minimum hourly wage of 21.20 New Zealand Dollars, allowing for an easy monthly income of over 10,000.
The annual New Zealand Working Holiday Visa (WHV) application date has been set.
Starting at 10 AM New Zealand time on August 1st (6 AM China time on August 1st), you can start applying for this visa.
I’m telling everyone in advance so that you can start preparing.
First, let me explain what the Working Holiday Visa (WHV) is.
The New Zealand government allows citizens from other countries to stay in New Zealand for one year, earning money through work to cover their travel expenses. Every year, the New Zealand government provides 1,000 to 2,000 working holiday visas for Mainland Chinese applicants.
Each applicant has only one chance to receive this visa in their lifetime.
More information about this visa can be found at:
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/about-visa/china-working-holiday-visa
WHV Application Requirements:
Age: 18 to 30 years old (eligibility extends up to but not including 31 years old)
Funds: Proof of savings of at least 4,200 New Zealand Dollars (approximately 21,000 RMB) and a round-trip ticket (financial proof)
Language: Equivalent to an IELTS score of 5.5 or higher (both Academic and General Training are acceptable)
Education: At least a high school diploma with good character and health requirements
Health: Required to undergo a tuberculosis X-ray examination at a designated hospital and purchase comprehensive medical insurance
Most importantly, applicants must not have previously applied for this visa. In other words, you can only apply for this visa once in your lifetime.
The application requirements are actually quite simple. There are only two hard criteria: age and IELTS.
An IELTS score of 5.5 is roughly equivalent to the level of English proficiency required for passing the CET-4. Generally, if you managed to pass CET-4 through your own efforts in university, scoring 5.5 on the IELTS shouldn’t pose much of a problem.
Moreover, you can secure a Working Holiday Visa (WHV) first and then take the IELTS test later. This way, you might feel more motivated.
WHV is a great way to experience New Zealand.
Its main focus is on vacation, with work being secondary. Many fresh graduates or those who haven’t been working for long apply for this visa to take a gap year.
While traveling, you can also earn a bit of money.
During the one year on a WHV, you can engage in any legal work in New Zealand, but you can’t work for the same employer for more than six months.
Currently, the minimum wage in New Zealand is NZD 21.20 per hour, which is approximately CNY 90 per hour.
Jobs under the WHV are usually basic and don’t require significant technical skills, so you can generally expect to earn at least the minimum wage. Working 8 hours a day, you could make over 700 NZD, which might offer a better value compared to some jobs in China. Earning over 10,000 CNY per month is definitely achievable.
However, bear in mind that the cost of living in New Zealand is not low either.
New Zealand has a sparse population and a labor shortage, so finding a job isn’t difficult.
Chinese people who go there usually engage in travel-related jobs (tour agencies), international trade (purchasing agents), or work in restaurants (waitstaff).
Before the pandemic, several of my friends went to New Zealand on a WHV. They eventually worked in travel agencies in Queenstown or Christchurch, catering specifically to Chinese tourists.
Some also worked at RV campsites or youth hostels. Although it might be tough at first, once you get the hang of it, you can earn more than the minimum wage.
Who is suitable for a WHV to New Zealand?
1) Those with specific career goals
There was a sommelier from Hangzhou named Zixuan who recently left her job to work at a winery in New Zealand. New Zealand is the southernmost wine-producing country, with wines generally having pure aromas and fresh styles.
New Zealand is full of opportunities for students learning about winemaking or viticulture.
2) Those looking to upskill
With a WHV, you can choose not to work and instead attend training programs. You can enroll in one or more courses in New Zealand, for up to six months.
3) Those wanting to take a gap year to escape work.
I have been to New Zealand, and this country is incredibly beautiful. Both the South and North Islands offer plenty of activities and attractions. Even after spending 15 days there, I was not ready to leave.
When I was younger, I didn’t have the time or money, and I didn’t even know about the Working Holiday Visa (WHV). If I could choose again, I would seriously consider it.
A friend of mine who managed to get a WHV and ultimately stayed in New Zealand once wrote me a piece of advice that I found very meaningful. I’d like to share it with everyone:
Working and traveling is the first opportunity to experience the world outside of China and to embrace different principles and goals.
So, keep an open mind and learn to understand and respect people and cultures from around the globe. Adapting to local customs will give you a chance to integrate into Western lifestyles, understand them, and find the differences.
Being yourself and treating Westerners and Chinese alike will help you build more friendships. Try different things, whether it’s working, volunteering, or traveling. Looking back, a fulfilling year will be worth it.
She gave up a high-paying job at Alibaba to move to New Zealand and eventually stayed.
Additionally, the Working Holiday Visa allows for multiple entries into New Zealand.
So while working in New Zealand, you can also easily visit nearby Australia and some South Pacific islands like Tahiti, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, etc.
Flying to these places from New Zealand is much more convenient than from China.
I’ll also share the application website for the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa. Although you can only start applying on August 1st, you can begin preparing now.
https://onlineservices.immigration.govt.nz/
You can also access this link directly by reading the original text.
If you don’t get it, don’t worry too much. As long as you’re under 30, there are opportunities every year.
Alternatively, Australia next door also offers a Working Holiday Visa every year. There are more spots, and it’s easier to get.
However, between Australia and New Zealand, I believe most people would choose New Zealand. Try for New Zealand first, and keep Australia as a backup.
Finally, here are some websites you might find useful for your WHV trip to New Zealand:
New Zealand YHA Youth Hostel
https://www.yha.co.nz/
New Zealand Campervan Parks
https://top10.co.nz/find-a-park
Free Car Rentals in New Zealand (similar to the one-yuan camper rentals previously promoted in China)
https://www.transfercar.co.nz/
Finding a Job in New Zealand
https://www.seek.com
www.trademe.co.nz/jobs
If you love traveling, don’t forget to follow and pin our WeChat public account!
I am JiSu CaiCai, operator of the Xiyou public account and a travel blogger.
I am good at combining travel with airlines, hotels, and credit cards.
Making your travels smarter!
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