Everything you need to know about the WHV in Queenstown

The cost of living

Read The cost of living in New Zealand for more details.

Internet access

Free Wi-Fi is available to everyone in the Village Green, Earnslaw Park, The Mall and Beach Street areas. Simply connect to the “Queenstown Free” network and accept the terms and conditions. You have up to 1GB of data available per day.

You can visit the library, which offers free Wi-Fi. You don’t have to be a member. The library is also handy if you need to print copies of your CV for job hunting.

Many cafes and restaurants offer Wi-Fi, like McDonald’s. Internet is also available in all hostels, although sometimes there will be a charge to use the Wi-Fi.

Finally, the mobile and internet operator Spark has free Wi-Fi hotspots in the city. You must be a Spark customer to access the free Wi-Fi.

Consulate

There is a consulate for the Czech Republic in Queenstown. A few citizenships (e.g. China, Japan) are represented by a consulate in Christchurch. However, most people who need help (e.g. if you lose your passport) will need to travel to the North Island to attend an embassy in Wellington or Auckland.

Showers

Unless you are renting an apartment, it may be difficult to find public showers that you can access. Hostels often refuse passersby access to the premises, unless you are willing to pay for a bed. The only solutions at the moment are LyLo (Jucy Snooze), as well as the sports complex (but you have to pay to enter the pool).

Medical care

Lakes District Hospital Queenstown is open 24/7 and has an emergency department.

In the event of an accident/injury, the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) system covers your treatment. This should not be seen as an alternative to travel insurance and is only valid in the event of real medical emergencies!

The emergency telephone number to dial in New Zealand is 111.

Queenstown Medical Centre is a traditional medical centre that includes a Travel Clinic for travel vaccinations. Please note that travel vaccinations are generally not reimbursed by your travel insurance.

Administrative procedures

You must complete most of your administrative formalities at a New Zealand post office (applying for an IRD number, changing vehicle ownership, registering your vehicle, etc.). A notable exception is that tax forms are not available at a post office, but can be found on the IRD website.

For more information, read Important steps upon landing in New Zealand.

For any legal help (issues at work, immigration, education, consumer issues, etc.), you can turn to the volunteers at the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB).

Making friends

If you want to meet people quickly, it is a good idea to join one of the many groups/clubs/associations in the city. Also, keep an eye out for ads for social events on city notice boards, as well as in the local newspapers.

Read How to make friends during a working holiday (WHV) abroad for more tips.