Important steps upon landing in New Zealand (IRD, bank, phone…)

The New Zealand government requires working holiday makers to have at least NZ$4200 (not including the funds necessary for a return flight). It is not advisable to arrive with less than this, as funds can be depleted quickly during periods without employment.

If you don’t have sufficient savings, consider volunteering with WWOOF, Workaway, or HelpX first upon arrival. You won’t receive a paycheck, but accommodation and meals are provided by the host. It can also act as local work experience for your subsequent job search.

What are some of the inevitable expenses upon arrival?

Upon arrival you will likely take a taxi, shuttle, or bus from the airport to wherever you will be staying. Plan to spend NZ$15-50 depending on the distance travelled.

You will also need to budget for your first few nights of accommodation. On average, dorms in hostels cost around NZ$20-40 per person per night.

Once you find an apartment, you will likely need to pay several weeks of rent upfront. It depends on the location and the property, but plan to pay NZ$100-250 per week. Also keep in mind the transportation fees that might be inevitable in your city or town.

You’ll probably also want to have some budget for going out and meeting people. All the more reason to plan ahead and save!

Note that international money transfers from traditional banks can take several business days to settle.

If you opt for a money transfer via Wise (which offers more competitive rates and fees than traditional banks), it will take 3-4 days. Via pvtistes.net, your first transfer with Wise is free of charge.

ATM withdrawals are sometimes capped or restricted when abroad, so consider bringing some cash with you as backup. Some banks have partnering institutions in New Zealand that do not assess additional fees (for example, customers of BNP in France can use Westpac in New Zealand). Check whether your home bank has any such partnerships.