Work New Zealand Essentials

BUNAC’s Work New Zealand programme is a one-stop shop designed to offer you everything you need for a stress-free gap year experience of a lifetime.

Work New Zealand is ideal for you if you want help to organise your visa, want the comfort of a support organisation in New Zealand or are looking for the reassurance of travelling with other people. It also offers you more choice and flexibility than ever before. You can stay for as little as three months, or as long as two years with our choice of visas. You can also take advantage of BUNAC’s exclusive Travel Package which includes the “Discover Hong Kong” stopover.

Work New Zealand Essentials includes:

In the UK:

In New Zealand:

All this included in the cost of your Group Flight, or independently for just £429.

The Maori Experience

In the beginning there was no sky, no sea, no earth and no Gods. There was only darkness, only Te Kore, the Nothingness. The very beginning was made from nothing. From this nothingness, the primal parents of the Maori came, Papatuanuku, the Earth mother, and Ranginui, the Sky father…

The Maori Experience will take you away from the fast paced life and city lights of Auckland and give you an amazing insight in to New Zealand's history and ways of the Maori people.

Sleep in a Marae (Maori Meeting House), learn the Haka, try your hand at flax weaving, learn Maori games and songs, hear stories of Maori mythology and history, meet local Maori and best of all…help prepare and eat a hangi (food cooked in the earth!!!)

The fully interactive weekend is about relaxing, learning, having fun; be welcomed as visitors, stay with friends, and leave as family.

The package includes:

Add this to your Essentials package for just £99

Adrenalin Junkie

New Zealand is known as the adventure capital of the world and is overflowing with adrenalin pumping, stomach churning activities. Here you have the opportunity to pre-purchase three of New Zealand favourite activities that will have you jumping, swinging and diving your way around the country.

The package includes:

1. The Nevis Bungy Jump

The mother of all bungy jumps, the Nevis towers 134 metres above the Nevis River and is the ultimate traveller’s thrill. Even experienced jumpers have been known to tremble on the Nevis! The jump gives you a massive 8.5 seconds of falling and enough adrenalin to have you on a high for hours afterwards.

Includes transfers from Queenstown and a souvenir DVD.

For safety reasons, you must weigh at least 45kg and no heavier than 127kg

2. Canyon Swing

Experience the World's highest rope swing at 109 metres above the dramatic Shotover River Canyon in Queenstown.

After an exhilarating 60 metres freefall into the canyon you will launch into a smooth pendulum swing in a giant 200 metre arc hitting a top speed of 150 kilometres per hour. You have the choice of jumping forwards, backwards, face first, upside down or any other way you can imagine for a truly unique experience!

Includes transfers from Queenstown.

For safety reasons, there is a maximum weight restriction of 135kg

3. Taupo Skydive

Feel the wind in your hair as you jump out of a plane 15,000 ft over the beautiful Lake Taupo. You will experience over one minute of free fall followed by plenty of time to enjoy the breathtaking scenery with spectacular views of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Nguarahoe (Mt Doom) in the distance.

Includes transfers by limousine and a souvenir t-shirt.

For safety reasons, there is a maximum weight restriction of 100kg

All your activities are open dates for 12 months so you can choose when you use them.

Add this to your Essentials package for just £270

Skills & Thrills

1. Hospitality service course

New Zealand has a huge café culture and even in the smallest towns around the country you will find great food, flat whites and cocktails. This package will equip you with the skills you need to confidently work in cafes, hotels and restaurants around the country. It is widely recognised amongst the industry and can help to give your CV an edge.

Receive hands on training in a real working bar/café environment, using real ingredients and situations: if it happens in a bar or restaurant it happens in your course!

The package includes:

You will attend the course for two consecutive weeks on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

This course is available in Central Auckland and Wellington.

2. Auckland Bridge Bungy

A trip to New Zealand is not complete without a bungy jump and Auckland is the perfect place to kick off your adrenalin adventures.

Your Auckland Bridge Bungy experience includes an exclusive bridge walk out to the specially-constructed retro 'Bungy pod'. From here you’ll leap 40 metres down over the Waitamata Harbour.

There's a variety of Bungy options available, 'water touch' being the favourite.

Includes a t-shirt and it sets you up with all the confidence you need to continue jumping your way around New Zealand.

Add this to your Essentials package for just £229

Sun, Surf & Sail

Soak up New Zealand's surf culture and experience an exhilierating sailing trip on a world calss yacht.

The package includes:

1. 5 day Surfari

New Zealand is an ideal surf destination with miles of scenic coastline constantly pounded by swells from all angles. Learn to surf whilst touring around the Northlands visiting some of New Zealand’s best surf beaches. This 5-day “Surfari” package is ideal for surfers (and non-surfers!) of all abilities.

Seasonal: available October – April

2. America’s Cup Sailing Experience NZL 40 & NZL 41

The America’s Cup is the world’s oldest and most prestigious sporting trophy and ultimate yachting regatta. Usually the domain of billionaires and elite professional yachties, NZL 40 and NZL 41 offer the unique opportunity for everyone to experience sailing on these grand prix racing machines.

This sailing trip lasts for two hours and gives you a unique opportunity to participate as a crew member on an actual America’s Cup yacht (all 23 metres of it). Take the helm, work the grinders or simply sit back and enjoy the ride as you sail in Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour.

Add this to your Essentials package for just £349

Organic NZ

Organic NZ gives you the unique opportunity to experience rural New Zealand by living and working with New Zealand farming families. Help feed the animals, plant crops, cultivate fields or pack the pickings, Organic NZ is the most unique way to explore the country.

Your 12-month WWOOF membership will give you access to over 1,000 farms throughout New Zealand. You will receive a membership book which contains profiles on the farms, including the types of work, details about accommodation and local activities.

You can stay on a farm from 5 days to a month at a time. You’ll exchange a few hours work for free food and accommodation, and an experience no other traveller will be able to match.

The package includes:

Add this to your Essentials package for just £18

Visas

The BUNAC visa team will help you obtain your visa by providing forms, checking documents and submitting the application to New Zealand Immigration on your behalf.

There are two types of visa that you can choose from:

Please refer to the table below for visa details:

  IEP Work Exchange Visa Working Holiday Visa
How long can I stay? 1 - 12 months 1 - 23 months
How long can I work for? Up to 12 months Up to 12 months
What sort of work can I do? Any Any
What are the age limits? 18 - 35 inclusive 18 - 30 inclusive
Which nationalities can apply? British or Irish British or Irish
(citizens of other countries should call us)
Do I have to be in the UK to apply? Yes No
Can I bring my children? No No
What support funds do I need:
When applying for the visa?
When I arrive in New Zealand?
NZ$3000 (£1200)
NZ$1000 (£400)
None
NZ$350 (£140) for each month in NZ = NZ$4200 (£1600) for 12 months
How much does this visa cost? £80 £50
Is there anything else that will help me decide? This is a unique visa to BUNAC/IEP. You can only have this visa once in a lifetime, however it will not affect your future eligibility for the Working Holiday Visa. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. However, if you have already had one of these visas you can still apply for the IEP Work Exchange Visa. If you intend to stay in New Zealand for more than 12 months, you will need to have a medical as part of the visa application process. BUNAC will issue guidelines regarding this.
This visa is ideal for school or university vacations, ski trips or a short-term working holiday. There are a limited number of visas available. BUNAC will allocate them on a first-come first-served basis. Great if you want to spend over a year in New Zealand.

Flights

Group Travel

For the optimum gap year experience join one of BUNAC’s Group Flights. The flight to New Zealand includes an amazing 3 day break in Hong Kong; a fascinating melting pot of eastern and western cultures. This is the ultimate way to meet with new people at the start of your adventure.

The Group package includes:

The Group Flight can be booked on a one-way or round-the-world basis. The cost of the flights is inclusive of the Work New Zealand Essentials programme.

Round-the-World tickets are valid for 24 months; allow date changes (for an admin fee) and are with reputable airlines. Homeward flights are booked on an individual basis, all routes visit popular travel destinations so you should find it easy to meet up with other travellers. Where the route is via Australia and includes the Sydney - Cairns overland trip, this aspect of the trip is arranged independently; the method (and cost) of the overland trip is arranged independently giving you complete freedom to explore Australia at your own pace.

Departure Dates

14/08/2008 11/09/2008 16/10/2008 06/11/2008 27/11/2008 15/01/2009 19/02/2009 12/03/2009 16/04/2009 07/05/2009 09/07/2009

Group Flight Routes

Flight
Code		 The flight cost includes Work New Zealand Essentials (£429) and the "Discover Hong Kong" stopover Flight
Cost
                     
Z London Hong Kong Auckland             £1304
                     
A London Hong Kong Auckland Hong Kong London         £1894
B London Hong Kong Auckland Los Angeles London         £1882
C London Hong Kong Auckland Nandi Los Angeles London       £2012
D London Hong Kong Auckland Honolulu Los Angeles London       £2054
E London Hong Kong Auckland Sydney Auckland Hong Kong London     £2191
F London Hong Kong Auckland Sydney auckland Los Angeles London     £2214
G London Hong Kong Auckland Sydney Auckland Nandi Los Angeles London   £2285
H London Hong Kong Auckland Sydney Auckland Honolulu Los Angeles London   £2401
I London Hong Kong Auckland Sydney (Overland) Cairns Hong Kong London   £2210
J London Hong Kong Auckland Sydney (Overland) Cairns Auckland Los Angeles London £2191
K London Hong Kong Auckland Sydney (Overland) Cairns Auckland Nandi Los Angeles London £2285
L London Hong Kong Auckland Sydney (Overland) Cairns Auckland Honolulu Los Angeles London £2401

Independent Travel

Most people book a BUNAC Group Flight; however, we appreciate that the dates or routes may not match everyone’s needs. If this is the case you can book your flights independently and still receive all of benefits of the Work New Zealand Essentials package including Auckland airport transfer and two night’s accommodation. You can still add as many of the additional programme options (The Maori Experience, Adrenalin Junkie, Skills & Thrills, Sun Surf & Sail and Organic NZ) as you wish.

If the BUNAC travel options don’t meet your needs, let us quote you for a totally unique itinerary. Our travel agency has over 45 years experience and will be pleased to discuss your travel needs.

GS World Travel. Tel: 020 7250 0222; E: info@gsworld-travel.com.

Apply Now

The Work New Zealand gap year programme is based on the Essentials package.

Customise your trip by adding the extra packages of your choice: The Maori Experience, Adrenalin Junkie, Skills & Thrills, Sun Surf & Sail and Organic NZ.

Finally choose your travel options from Group flight or Independent.

Complete your Application Form and return it to BUNAC as soon as you can. (Spaces are available on a first come first served basis.)

We’ll write to confirm your place on the programme and send you a full acceptance pack and pre-departure schedule.

How Much Will it Cost?

The cost will vary depend on which elements you choose:

What’s not included?

FAQs

Application

Do many people travel on their own?

Yes. On average 70% of participants taking a BUNAC Group Flight join the programme on their own. The Discover Hong Kong stopover provides an ideal opportunity to make new friends.

When should I apply for the programme?

We recommend that you apply as soon as possible. Places are available on a first-come first-served basis. Applications for BUNAC group flight options must be received at least 10 weeks before departure. Those arranging their own flights must submit their application at least 6 weeks before the intended departure.

What will it cost?

You should budget for the following costs:

Do I have to buy one of the Packages?

The Work New Zealand gap year programme is based on the Essentials programme. The other packages are intended to enhance the experience. However, they are optional and you are not obliged to add anything to the Essentials programme.

Can I join a package without the Essentials?

The essence of the Work New Zealand gap year programme is the support and services that are included in the Essentials programme. The extra packages enhance the experience. The packages can’t be arranged without having the Essentials programme.

I am planning to use the Work New Zealand programme as part of a round-the-world trip. Can I spend time in other countries on my way to New Zealand?

Yes, if you book your own flights you can arrange an itinerary to meet your own unique requirements. You must arrive in New Zealand within 12 months of the visa being issued.

Flights

If I book a one-way BUNAC flight can I book the return leg with BUNAC whilst away?

Unfortunately not. The BUNAC flights must be purchased before leaving the UK.

If I book a BUNAC round-the-World flight, will I be able to change it?

BUNAC flights are flexible and allow dates of travel to be changed for a fee of approximately £75. Changes are made subject to airline availability.

Tell me more about the Discover Hong Kong stopover..

Discover Hong Kong is an inclusive part of your London-Auckland Group Flight. The BUNAC rep at Heathrow will introduce you to the rest of the group and seats on the plane are pre-allocated to ensure you are sitting with other Work Australia participants.

On arrival in Hong Kong you will be transferred to a centrally located 3* hotel for two nights (rooms are based on two or three sharing and breakfast is included).

There will be some free time to rest and recover from the flight; although you are likely to fight off the sleep and go and explore the local area with your new friends.

During your stay your English speaking guide will take you to see some of Hong Kong's most popular tourist highlights including Victoria Peak, Stanley Market, and the Aberdeen Fishing Village (tours may vary from one group to another). There is also a group night out planned for one evening. Finally, having enjoyed a brief introduction to this frenetic Chinese outpost you will be transferred back to the airport in time for your next flight to Sydney.

The price of the flight has changed since I last looked at the website. Why is this?

Whilst the flight costs are a constant, the airport/departure taxes and fuel surcharges can fluctuate and this may result in a change to the overall flight cost.

Do I have to fly to Auckland?

All BUNAC Group flights will arrive in Auckland where the IEP resource centre is located. If you are arranging an independent flight you can choose to travel to a city of your choice. However, outside of Auckland the resources will be limited. Please contact BUNAC to discuss your specific needs in more detail.

My flight home is via Australia, it arrives in Sydney and leaves from Cairns, does the programme include overland travel?

Where your route includes a Sydney - Cairns overland sector, this aspect of the trip is arranged independently and the cost (and method) of the overland trip is arranged independently.

Visa

How do I know which visa to go for?

The key differences between the visas are the length of stay, funds required on entry to New Zealand and the upper age limit. See the table above for more information on the two different visas. If you are still unsure please call BUNAC and we’ll be happy to discuss the options with you.

I’ve already had a Working Holiday Visa for New Zealand. Can I apply for the IEP Work Exchange visa?

Yes. If you have already used the Working Holiday Visa for New Zealand you can still apply for the IEP Work Exchange Visa (although this visa is also a once in a lifetime opportunity).

Work

How will you help me find a job?

Our Work New Zealand Handbook has some useful tips that will help you prepare for the job hunt. On arrival in Auckland, utilise IEP’s resource centre with job boards, computers, free internet and knowledgeable staff. They will help you get your tax number and set up a bank account (both essential for potential employers).

If you are looking for a head start, why not consider the Skills & Thrills package which has been designed to provide you with the necessary experience to find hospitality work.

What kind of work do people do?

Most participants work in retail, hospitality, agriculture (e.g. fruit picking/harvesting) or office temping. Typical jobs include serving in pubs and bars, waiting tables in restaurants and cafes, working in shops and supermarkets, housekeeping and reception work in hotels and hostels, and data entry and customer service roles.

Accommodation

Where will I live?

Most participants live in hostels or rent shared flats/houses. It is common for people to share with other participants they meet on the Group Flight. Vacant properties and rooms are advertised online, in local newspapers, hostel notice boards and in IEP’s resource office.

Do I have to stay in Auckland?

Most participants work in retail, hospitality, agricultural (e.g. fruit picking/harvesting) or office temping. Typical jobs include serving in pubs and bars, waiting tables in restaurants and cafes, working in shops and supermarkets, housekeeping and reception work in hotels and hostels, and data entry and customer service roles.

Is it possible to book extra accommodation in Auckland?

The Work New Zealand Essentials programme includes your first two nights accommodation on arrival in to Auckland. Certain packages also include extra accommodation. If you would like us to book you more Auckland accommodation we can certainly arrange this for you. Please contact the Work New Zealand department for more information.

Can I reserve a twin room in Auckland?

Subject to availability and an upgrade fee we can arrange twin accommodation for you and your travel partner/friend in Sydney. Please contact BUNAC for more information.

How can I find out more?

Contact us on (020) 7251 3386; send us an email (downunder@bunac.org.uk) or attend a presentation.