A Working Holiday Visa is one of the easiest ways to live, work, and travel in New Zealand. This guide explains everything you need to know, from visa eligibility and finding work to choosing where to live and making the most of your time in New Zealand.
Stepabroad is a Recognized Organization (RO) designated by the Government of Canada under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program. For many years, we’ve helped Canadians prepare for working holidays in New Zealand and destinations around the world. Having lived and worked overseas ourselves, we have first-hand experience of the process and understand the challenges Canadians commonly face when moving abroad.
Eligible Canadian citizens aged 18 to 35 can apply for a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa, which allows them to live, work, and travel in New Zealand for up to 23 months! Unlike many other work permits, you don’t need a job offer before you arrive, giving you the flexibility to secure employment after reaching New Zealand.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Canadian |
| Age | 18–35 |
| Maximum Stay | Up to 23 months |
| Job Offer Required? | No |
| Applications | Once per lifetime |
| Apply Through | Immigration New Zealand |
| Minimum Funds | NZD $4,200 |
Applying for a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa is much simpler than applying for a traditional employer-sponsored work visa. As a Canadian, you can apply online through Immigration New Zealand, provided you meet the eligibility requirements and submit the required documentation.
Before you apply, it’s important to understand the visa requirements and ensure your application is complete. Missing information or errors can delay the process, so taking the time to prepare can help your application go more smoothly.
Eligibility Requirements:
Important: Canadians can only be granted this Working Holiday Visa once. Even if you receive the visa but decide not to use it, you generally won’t be eligible to apply again.
New Zealand is one of the best working holiday destinations for Canadians because it offers far more flexibility than many other countries. While some working holiday programs restrict participants to certain industries or limit how long they can work for one employer, New Zealand’s Working Holiday Visa has no employer or industry restrictions.
That means you can:
This flexibility makes it easier to find meaningful work, whether you’re looking for a short-term hospitality role, a seasonal position, or a job that aligns with your professional background.
As a Canadian in New Zealand on a working holiday, you can literally work in any type of job. Because there are no employment restrictions attached to the visa, you can choose the type of job that best matches your goals, whether that’s earning money to travel, gaining international experience, or advancing your career.
Many Canadians prefer flexible jobs that allow them to explore both the North and South Islands during their stay. Popular industries include:
| Industry | Typical Roles |
|---|---|
| Hospitality | Café staff, servers, bartenders, and hotel staff |
| Tourism | Tour guides, activity operators, and visitor services |
| Agriculture | Fruit picking, vineyards, and farm work |
| Retail | Sales assistants and customer service |
| Ski Resorts | Lift operators, rentals, food & beverage, and guest services |
Others choose to pursue more professional roles in fields related to their education or previous work experience. Opportunities are available across a range of industries, although securing these positions typically depends on your qualifications, experience, and English language skills.
You don’t have to choose one approach over the other. During my own Working Holiday Visa, I worked with the same employer for most of my stay. This allowed me to save money before spending my final months travelling around New Zealand in a campervan. It’s a good example of how flexible the Working Holiday Visa can be. You can focus on building your savings first and then use them to explore everything New Zealand has to offer.
Canadians have access to a wide range of job opportunities across New Zealand, particularly in industries that regularly hire Working Holiday Visa holders. Because international workers are common in sectors like hospitality, tourism, retail, and agriculture, many employers are already familiar with hiring overseas applicants.
Many employers advertise vacancies online, but the best approach often depends on the industry you’re interested in.
| Job Search Method | Best For |
|---|---|
| Online Job Boards | Professional, office, retail, and hospitality jobs |
| Company Websites | Larger employers and hotel groups |
| Recruitment Agencies | Office, trades, and specialist roles |
| Applying in Person | Cafés, restaurants, bars, retail stores, and some tourism businesses |
To improve your chances of finding a job quickly:
In most cases, employers prefer candidates who have already arrived in New Zealand. Being in the country shows you’re available to start work, have accommodation arranged, and can attend interviews at short notice.
While it’s a good idea to research employers and prepare your resume before you leave Canada, many Working Holiday participants begin actively applying for jobs once they arrive in New Zealand.
At Stepabroad, we help Canadians find jobs in New Zealand by providing:
Interested in learning more about how we can help you find jobs in New Zealand through our Working Holiday Programs?
Fill in the form below and our team will be happy to get back to you in one business day.
Where you choose to work in New Zealand will depend on the type of experience you’re looking for. Larger cities generally offer more job opportunities across a wider range of industries, while smaller towns often provide seasonal work, tourism roles, and a more relaxed lifestyle.
| City | Best For | Main Industries |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland | Biggest job market | Hospitality, retail, and office roles |
| Wellington | Professionals | Government and technology |
| Christchurch | Affordable living | Construction and tourism |
| Queenstown | Adventure lifestyle | Tourism and ski industry |
As New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland offers one of the country’s strongest job markets.
Wellington, the nation’s capital, combines government employment with a thriving creative and hospitality scene.
Located on the South Island, Christchurch has experienced significant growth following the 2011 earthquakes.
Known as New Zealand’s adventure capital, Queenstown is one of the country’s most popular destinations for Working Holiday travellers.
Moving to New Zealand is about much more than securing a visa. Once you arrive, there are several practical tasks you’ll need to complete before you can settle into everyday life.
These often include:
While New Zealand is an English-speaking country, many everyday systems—from banking to renting accommodation—work differently than they do in Canada. Preparing for these tasks before you leave can make your transition much easier.
One of the things Canadians often enjoy most about working in New Zealand is the country’s relaxed and balanced workplace culture. While career progression is important, New Zealanders generally place a strong emphasis on maintaining a healthy work-life balance. The mindset is simple: work to live, not live to work.
In many workplaces, it’s uncommon to stay late unless it’s genuinely necessary. Spending time with family, enjoying the outdoors, and making the most of your free time are all valued parts of everyday life.
Dress codes are also typically more relaxed than many Canadians expect. While you’ll always need to dress appropriately for your role, many hospitality, retail, and customer service jobs do not require formal business attire. Office environments are often business casual, with more formal clothing reserved for important meetings or client-facing roles.
Another aspect that stood out during my time working in New Zealand was the workplace culture itself. Family and community are highly valued, and many employers foster a collaborative, supportive environment. At the government agency where I worked in Wellington, more than 250 employees worked together on a first-name basis. Job titles mattered far less than teamwork, and everyone was encouraged to contribute equally.
With all of our New Zealand Working Holiday Programs, we help make your move to New Zealand as smooth as possible.
Every program includes:
Perfect if you’re looking for support before you leave Canada. It includes visa guidance, resume assistance, a comprehensive pre-departure orientation, and ongoing support throughout your trip.
Includes everything in the Send-Off Package, plus:
Start your working holiday with an unforgettable eight-day guided tour of New Zealand’s North Island, where you’ll explore some of the country’s top destinations while meeting other travellers.
These programs also include our Arrivals Job Package, featuring:
Our goal is simple: to help you arrive in New Zealand feeling prepared, confident, and ready to make the most of your working holiday.
As long as you still meet the New Zealand visa requirements (such as age, proof of funds etc), then yes, you can! Every country has its own agreement with Canada through the IEC scheme, so even if you have used up all of your allowance in Australia, you should still be eligible to apply for New Zealand!
There are very few restrictions attached to the New Zealand working holiday visa, and unlike Australia – you are not restricted to 6 months per employer during your stay! This can make New Zealand a good option for those hoping to secure an office/ administrative role, as the ability to remain with your employer for a longer period can make you a more appealing candidate to businesses.
If your initial Working Holiday visa is still valid, and you are still living on shore in New Zealand, then it is likely still possible to extend your visa by the remaining 11 month duration. Your Travel Coordinator will be able to provide more information, and can talk you through the process of extending your visa for New Zealand as part of your pre-departure orientation.
No, Canadians do not need to do farm work to extend their New Zealand Working Holiday visa. Some Working Holiday visa holders from other countries may have to complete this requirement, but Canadians are automatically entitled to apply to stay in New Zealand on their Working Holiday visa for up to 23 months. It is good to be aware that there are some additional costs associated with applying for your extension, but you do not need to work in a remote location to be eligible (as you do in Australia).
Ouch, what a difficult question! Both offer incredible landscapes and travel opportunities. Australia tends to attract an audience that is interested in sun, sea and surf, while New Zealand usually attracts nature lovers, adrenaline junkies and hiking enthusiasts. Both offer warm weather, amazing beaches and fun things to do year-round.
New Zealand is famous for adventure activities like bungee jumping, skydiving, and zorbing, along with its breathtaking national parks. Māori culture adds depth to its identity, and the people are known for their friendly hospitality. Everywhere you go, you will hear chants of “Kia Ora!”, which is Te Reo Māori for “Hello” or “Welcome”.
Australia, on the other hand, is a vast country with diverse landscapes, ranging from the iconic outback to pristine coastlines and vibrant cities. It offers a wide array of experiences, from scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef to immersing yourself in the bustling city life of Melbourne or surfing on Bondi Beach. Australia also has a rich indigenous culture and a laid-back vibe that many find appealing.
Ultimately, there is no “better” choice, as the right location for you will depend on your own personal preferences!
New Zealand is one of the more accessible countries for Canadians to move to on a Working Holiday Visa. The visa allows you to live and work there for up to 23 months. While the process still requires careful attention, the application is manageable, and we guide you through each step to help avoid delays or headaches.
Once you arrive, the welcoming culture and laid-back work environment make settling in surprisingly smooth. Honestly, the trickiest decision isn’t paperwork. It’s deciding whether to spend your weekends climbing glaciers in the South Island, road-tripping through Hobbiton, or exploring Auckland’s nightlife.
Yes, you can move to New Zealand on a Working Holiday Visa without a job already in place. Unlike some countries that require a job offer before granting a work visa, New Zealand allows you to arrive, get settled, and then begin your job search. Many Canadians take advantage of this flexibility to travel first and then pick up casual work once they’re ready. If you’d prefer the peace of mind of having employment secured before you go, our NZ Discovery and NZ Adventure programs guarantee you a job upon arrival, making the transition even smoother.
Not usually. Canadians are well-regarded in New Zealand, which makes finding work in areas like tourism, hospitality, and agriculture fairly possible. Some choose casual, short-term jobs to fund their travels, while others stick with one employer to save money. If you’d prefer to have work secured before you land, our NZ Discovery and NZ Adventure programs guarantee you a job on arrival, so you can focus on enjoying New Zealand rather than worrying about applications.
Immigration New Zealand requires proof of at least NZD $4,200 in savings, plus enough funds for a return ticket if you don’t have one booked. This shows you can support yourself when you first arrive.
That said, most Canadians don’t need to stretch that money too far. New Zealand offers lots of work opportunities, and many Canadians on Working Holiday Visas start earning New Zealand wages fairly quickly.
Absolutely. The Working Holiday Visa allows Canadian citizens to take on almost any kind of job, without the restrictions many other countries impose. Just like New Zealand citizens, you can work in tourism, customer service, retail, farming, trades, or even in more professional office roles if that’s where your skills lie. Some participants stick with one employer for the full visa, while others hop between jobs as they travel. The flexibility is what makes New Zealand so appealing. You can design your working holiday around your lifestyle goals!
The visa is available to Canadian citizens aged 18 to 35, inclusive. You’ll need a valid Canadian passport, at least NZD $4,200 in savings, travel insurance.
We’ll not only guide you through the application itself but also with planning ahead and help you prepare for life in New Zealand with advice on jobs, housing, and travel so you can get the full benefit of your two years abroad.
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