BUNAC
On Work New Zealand you can spend up to one incredible year living and working in New Zealand and stop off at some of the most exotic spots in the world on the way there and back.

Work New Zealand

New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world with an incredibly diverse natural environment.

From the giant sand dunes of Ninety Mile Beach, to the bubbling mudpools of Rotorua, the vineyards of Marlborough and the ice capped peaks and glaciers of the Southern Alps, New Zealand is a country that will never cease to amaze you.

In addition, jobs are plentiful and New Zealand really welcomes overseas visitors. It is usually fairly easy for eligible participants to switch to the New Zealand government’s ‘Working Holiday’ visa, thus allowing the possibility of a second year in New Zealand.

How the program works

Work New Zealand is authorized by the New Zealand Government to allow young Americans aged 18-35 to travel and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months. Your sponsor in New Zealand is BUNAC’s subsidary organization, International Exchange Programs (IEP). The program is administered in the USA by BUNAC on behalf of International Exchange of North America (IENA), which in turn sponsors New Zealand student exchanges to the USA.

On this Special Category Working Visa, you are permitted to take any job, anywhere in New Zealand in order to help support yourself financially.

This BUNAC/IEP program goes beyond the working holiday scheme by providing year-long on the spot support and advice for participants. IEP provides a job placement service for casual jobs and has a huge amount of information and help available on finding work and on life in general in New Zealand.

Choosing to go with BUNAC/IEP gives participants the security of knowing that they will not be on their own when arriving in a foreign country. IEP will be there to greet you and take care of you for as long as you need help. Meeting other participants from around the world is easy through the Auckland resource centre and the IEP social program.

Orientations are held on average three times a week and last about three hours. After your orientation, you can be as independent and free as you choose and still have the knowledge that IEP will be there to help you if needed.

Work New Zealand offers:

  • Free choice of arrival date in New Zealand
  • Eligibility - up to the age of 35
  • Pre-departure support from BUNAC including all visa processing with the New Zealand Embassy on your behalf
  • Discounted, comprehensive worldwide travel insurance
  • IEP Job Placement Services (casual work)
  • Special flight deals including (currently) a 24-month validity flight ticket
  • IEP New Zealand Resource Center including advice and assistance from IEP staff on job and accommodation hunting, 24-hour emergency assistance and discounted travel options
  • Auckland Arrivals Package and Orientation including free bus transfer, two night’s accommodation, program handbook and introduction letter for opening a bank account and assistance obtaining an Inland Revenue Department (IRD) number (equivalent of a Social Security Number)
  • Online members’ lounge
  • Phone card with NZ$5 credit
  • Lonely Planet guidebook to New Zealand.