Popular industries for working holiday makers

Some people go to New Zealand hoping to land a job related to their normal occupation (read the next chapter for more info on this). But most working holiday makers opt for odd jobs and temporary contracts that allow them to move around. A WHV is an opportunity to try out different jobs, change regions, follow the seasons, and take breaks between periods of work for travel and adventure. In this section, we’ll review which industries are more open to hiring WHV-holders.

Which industries are typically open to hiring working holiday makers?

Tourism

Tourism is very important in New Zealand (around 6% of workers have a job related to this field). The tourism sector is intrinsically linked to the hotel and hospitality industries. Because of high turnover and a growing need for workers in the industry, you won’t have too much difficulty finding a job in the sector even if you don’t have any previous experience.

The main tourist destinations are Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown, the Canterbury region (including Kaikoura), Central Otago, Abel Tasman, Taupo and Rotorua. These are the areas you should be looking for work in first. The tourist season is mainly in summer (between December and February), so you will have a better chance of finding work in the months leading up to summer. However, you may still be able to find work in tourism in winter, especially in areas like Queenstown for the ski season.

Some major international groups (such as Accor, SkyCity or InterContinental Hotel Group) regularly recruit employees in this sector.

Useful job sites:

• Accor
• THL
• InterContinental Hotel Group
• SkyCity Auckland, Hamilton, Queenstown
• Providore (recruitment agency specialising in hospitality)
• Museumsaotearoa (recruitment site for museums in New Zealand)
• Adventure Jobs (website specialising in recruitment for leisure activities)
• Tourism Industry Association New Zealand
• Hospoworld Resourcing (employment agency specialising in tourism and hospitality)
• ServiceIQ (the association responsible for training in the hospitality industry).

Hospitality (restaurants and hotels)

This sector is closely linked to the tourism industry. There are many opportunities, especially if you already have experience in hospitality (often referred to as “hospo”). If you don’t have any experience, apply for entry-level jobs such as working as a dishwasher in a kitchen, or as a barista in a cafe. Opportunities as a chef, sous chef, waiter or barman are pretty good in the big cities and in touristy areas (especially in the summer season). In hotels, as well as working on reception, there are available jobs that perhaps not every backpacker considers, such as room cleaning, maintenance of the premises or gardening.

You can use employment agencies (such as Hospoworld), as they can put you in touch with employers quickly (but keep looking for yourself in the meantime!).

Useful job sites:

• InterContinental Hotel Group
• SkyCity
• Hospoworld
• Spotless
• Restaurant Association of New Zealand
• Buzz Recruitment

Agriculture, horticulture and forestry

Many working holiday makers work in the farming industry, in particular in horticulture (fruit picking, packhouse jobs, etc.). The sector is great for both low-skilled and skilled employees. If you have little work experience and/or don’t speak English well, but you are a fit and highly motivated worker, consider horticulture. You can do this on a voluntary basis (in exchange for accommodation and food) or as a paid worker.

Useful job sites:

• Fonterra
• SeasonalWork
• AGCareers
• Fegan
• Frenz
• Fridayoffcuts
• New Zealand Conservation Jobs
• PickNZ