Advice on moving to Godzone
Surfer at Taylor's Mistake, near Christchurch
I few weeks ago I received an email from an American who had saw a post of mine on a New Zealand Facebook page. He wrote me asking if I had any advice for him as he was planning to move here in a few months and wanted to know things that the guidebooks just dont tell you.
Work visas
When I was younger, I thought that having a Canadian passport meant that I could work for six months in any Commonwealth country no questions asked. It was a benefit of being a citizen of a member nation. I have no idea where I got this idea because that is most definitely NOT the case. In order to work in New Zealand you will need a visa. There are several different types, but considering that most people who read this (if any at all, haha) will be coming down here on a working holiday, I’ll only get into the work visa and working holiday visa.
If you are under 30, and from an eligible nation, you can get the working holiday visa. This means you can work for up to three months per job. Information on this type of visa can be found on the NZ government website. If you are between 30-35, you are eligible to get a full work visa (i.e., no restrictions) through a work exchange programme. Being Canadian, I came down through SWAP (Brits and Americans can go through BUNAC). While a lot more expensive than the first option, when you’re over 30 it really is your only choice. For your fee, they will arrange the paperwork for your multi-entry visa, and welcome you to NZ with an orientation session (super important as it covers banking and tax information) and two nights accommodation in Auckland on arrival; they also have a job board, a mail-forwarding service, social nights and a travel agency that somehow manages to get you a reduced fee on your visa should you want to visit Australia.
Where to live
If you are considering moving to New Zealand I would suggest making a list of all of the places that pique your interest then when you get here do a bit of a tiki tour and check them out before making your decision. Of course, this isn’t what I did, but its what my friend Barbara did and I thought it rather sensible. If you’re after living in larger urban environments:
Auckland
The City of Sails is the biggest city in the country with an urban population of about 1.3 million people. The largest Polynesian city in the world, Auckland has a great nightlife, tons of cafes and restaurants and many beautiful parks. I spent four months living here when I first arrived, but sadly wasn’t able to really experience it as once I was paying rent I just didnt have the money to get out and go. So while its bustling, you are definitely paying for the privilege: It’s the most expensive place in the country.
Places of note: Rangitoto Island, Waiheke Island, Auckland Domain, Auckland Museum, The Viaduct, Devonport, One Tree Hill, Mt Eden, Karangahape Rd (aka K’Road)
Wellington
The nation’s capital is my favourite (although I dont live there; I tried to but couldn’t find work) urban center: a beautiful waterfront, nestled in the hills, lots of art and culture, vibrant nightlife, great shopping (and amazing bagels) plenty of neighbourhoods with interesting and unique character (my favourites are Island Bay and Te Aro) — It has it all.
Places of note: Te Papa National Museum, Cuba Street (and their annual carnival), cable car and botanical gardens, The Beehive (although the seat of Parliament isnt interesting to me, it might be to you!), waterfront, Weta Cave (yes, THAT Weta)
Christchurch
My current home is the largest city on the South Island although the most un-New Zealandy. Very flat, and by NZ standards, it’s far from the ocean. The nightlife here is tame compared to Wellington or Auckland, but there other things to recommend it. The city is very English in its layout and architecture, with beautiful Victorian architecture sprinkled around the downtown core. There are quite a number of bars and pubs in the SOL Square and Poplar Lanes districts. They’re a bit hidden (they are after all, lane ways), but they have a pretty good variety of music (although Im still on the hunt for psytrance here), and the atmosphere is pretty awesome.
Winter here is NOT winter by Toronto standards: it didnt even snow in ChCh this year, although you should know that houses here are not insulated and central heat has yet to make it’s way to this land. If you’re lucky (or smart) enough to rent a place that has a heat pump installed, you wont notice the chill. I had to rely on an oil heater for warmth, something that sent my electricity bills skyrocketing. Christchurch is a great location for launching lots of weekend trips to the thermal springs, the ocean or mountains. Longer trips to Tekapo, Wanaka, Queenstown, Nelson (where I lived for three weeks in April) or the West Coast can also be done within a day’s drive.
Places of note: Christchurch Cathedral, Cathedral Square Market, Arts Center, Canterbury Museum, Christchurch Gondola, The Port Hills, Sumner, Lyttelton,
Queenstown
Queenstown isnt a city, but rather a large town. The birthplace of bungy jumping, it’s where all the adventure sports are. Because of this it’s massive tourist town, and while lovely, I dont know about living there long term (and they definitely got snow! I think they’re still getting it!).
I haven’t really explored the North Island too much yet, that won’t come until February 2010. From what Ive seen, it really is a different vibe than the South Island, where I live. The North Island is very volcanic and warm, the South Island is mountainous and cooler (although it will still get hot here). The Mainland (as the SI is sometimes called), is considered more rugged and wild.
That said, there are heaps (!) of smaller cities towns all throughout the country that would be great places to live depending on your needs: Taupo, Rotorua, Napier (the Art Deco capital of the world; it’s lovely!), Nelson.
CouchSurfing
CouchSurfing is safe, but like with anything, you need to be smart about it. There is a guide on the site that offers tips and suggestions for how to recognize good hosts (i.e., is their profile full of recommendations, photos and information? Has the person been vouched for? Is their address verified). While i haven’t actually surfed with anyone, many people I know have and sing its praises highly. I use the network for social stuff (pub nights, day trips etc) and travel advice.
Hostels
Hostels are great. I was wary of them the first time I stayed in one, but it’s a much smarter way to travel than expensive hotels. Not only do you have a cheap bed to sleep in (usually around $20NZD a night), but hostels are a great way to meet other people. Also, most hostels have associations with local tour and activity outfits and can make recommendations on where to stay. There are two main hostel networks here, BBH and YHA — both offer discounts if you buy a membership. They’re also good for getting discounts on tours and places of interest. Overall, I prefer the BBH hostels as they have more character (they’re smaller and many offer free breakfast, or soup or something similar), whereas the YHA ones tend to be more institutional-like. While you can get private rooms in them if you want, but I prefer to stay in 4-bed (female-only, when available) dorms to save money.
BBH
YHA NZ
Hostel World (has lots of reviews)
Getting around New Zealand
One of the great things about living in a small country, is that it’s cheap to get from one place to the next.
Grab a seat — Air New Zealand’s seat sale site:
House of Travel — Domestic and international plane tickets
Naked Bus – Cheap bus tickets (often $1 if you book ahead of time!)
Intercity Bus — The most extensive bus line in the country. Usually more expensive than Naked Bus, but more comfortable coaches.
Southern Link — Mid-range bus tickets on the South Island, often run Naked Bus routes (i.e., you travel on a Naked Bus fare but on a Southern Link bus)
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