Gap Year Programs in New Zealand

Vibrant cities, open vistas, towering volcanos, and friendly locals – there are so many reasons to spend your gap year in New Zealand. With a working holiday visa program and a majority English-speaking population, New Zealand is a great choice for first-time solo travelers. Plus, the Kiwi love of the outdoors and access to picturesque landscapes means that you'll never have a dull moment. Keep reading, and you may just move New Zealand to the top of your gap year destination list!

Volunteering

Programs vary based on location and length, with some being tailor-made for those who want to travel throughout the country, staying in cities such as Christchurch and Auckland for only a few weeks at a time.

Adventure Travel

New Zealand is renowned worldwide for adventure sports and activities - including skiing and snowboarding, mountaineering, bungee jumping, sky diving, and white water rafting. If you're looking to use your outdoor interests as a way to make friends, program providers offer group adventure tours throughout New Zealand primarily geared toward gap year travelers and residents.

Have a ton of time? The Te Araroa “tramping” (hiking) trail traverses both islands, from one tip to another, and takes four months to complete; however, its pit stops in many villages throughout the country means you can do daylong or weeklong hikes whenever time permits.

Internships

Professional internships are available in all New Zealand's major cities, with internationally known companies thriving in an active business climate. You can apply for an internship directly through the website of the company you chose or through third-party internship program providers.

You can also find in-person and virtual opportunities on our Go Overseas internships job board.

Visas for New Zealand:

Visitors from most countries do not need a visa to enter New Zealand for a three-month duration; check the NZ embassy website for a list of visa-waiver countries. Otherwise, the following visas are available for those who want to spend more than three months in New Zealand:

• Temporary Work Visa – for people 18-30 who have a job offer or students studying or have studied in New Zealand and want to continue their stay while working.
• Working Holiday Scheme – depending on your country, people 18-30 can apply for a stay of up to 12 months. You can work, travel freely, and even sign up for classes/courses while in the country.
• Note that a return ticket and a certain amount of money in your bank account are among the requirements.

Cost of Living in New Zealand

The cost of daily living – rent, food, utilities – is quite reasonable compared to many popular gap year countries. And because of New Zealand's successful cotton and wool industries, there are great deals to be had on outdoor clothing. Electronic and tech items tend to be more expensive as they're imported, and New Zealand has a 15% GST, so stock up at home on that new laptop or cellphone. Let's take a look at some particulars of the cost of living, with a median monthly disposable salary of NZ $2,500-4,000.

• Monthly transportation pass: NZ$115-215
• One-bedroom apartment in city center: NZ$1,200-2,200
• Internet: NZ$70-100
• Domestic beer: NZ$2-9
• Loaf of white bread: NZ$1-3.60
• Movie ticket: NZ$15-17
• Levi 501 jeans: NZ$60-150

Culture and Etiquette in New Zealand

Visitors to New Zealand are struck by the friendliness of Kiwis; you'll often get a cheery hello from a stranger, and they tend to be open, welcoming, and generous to strangers and friends alike. However, while some may be nice to a fault, it doesn't mean they're your instant BFFs. It takes time for a Kiwi to let you in.

In terms of basic cultural differences, here are a few quick tips:

• Leisure dress is casual, while business dress is conservative.
• Business appointments should be made several days in advance.
• Most business meetings begin with personal interaction, but presentations, interviews and meetings are dominated by facts and figures rather than emotion.
• Tardiness is not tolerated.
• A small gift is customary when going to someone's home.
• Keep your elbows off the table, but your hands above the table.
• Elaborate tattoos are something that you'll want to get used to quickly – traditional Māori tattooing is symbolic of family and tribal affiliations.
• A traditional Māori greeting involves pressing noses together.
• Do not film or take pictures inside a whakairo (Māori meeting house) unless permitted, this is extremely disrepectful to their fallen elders as it is seen as filming the dead.
• And perhaps most importantly, a strong Trans-Tasman rivalry exists so it’s best not to lump New Zealand and Australia together!

Māoritanga, or the Māori culture, is an important part of Kiwi life and is integrated into the general culture. However, it is not without its significant tensions, and it's not a subject you should bring up lightly or simply as a way to make conversation.

In terms of street crime, New Zealand as a whole is an extremely safe country. Of course, that doesn't mean you should turn off your street smarts when spending your gap year in New Zealand. Avoid parks after dark, and don't be shy about grabbing a friend if you need to head out late at night. The emergency number for the police, ambulance, or fire brigade in New Zealand is 111.

As New Zealand is the unofficial capital of extreme sports, you likely end up sky diving, bungee jumping, or something equally as exhilarating. Before participating, it is advisable to check your travel insurance policy for any exclusions and make sure the firm offering the experience is reputable.

When driving, car insurance is not required but is highly recommended to avoid expensive mistakes. Follow the laws of the road carefully and review what signs mean before getting behind the wheel of a car.

It is commonly said that the most dangerous thing in New Zealand is the weather. The remote group of islands in the South Pacific experiences extreme weather changes, so it is essential that you are prepared when hiking, backpacking, or otherwise exposed to the elements. Always bring both a waterproof and insulating layer when in the wilderness and proper footwear and safety equipment for the activities in which you partake.

New Zealand has no native predators and very few insects or animals that are a threat to humans. It is important to respect the wildlife and avoid feeding birds, like Keas, human food. This impacts their behavior and teaches them to be more reckless.

Contributed by Amanda Lansdown