First-timer planning Jan–Feb in NZ — Workaway/WWOOF vs working holiday in Jan/Feb
Planning 2 months in NZ on a Working Holiday Visa - would love input from anyone who's done similar!
Advice would be so appreciated on:
- Working holiday vs volunteering/exchange: Which is the better / more realistic experience for a two month stay?
- Option one: Shorter volunteer stays in multiple places (bed and board)
- Option two: A (paid?) stint in a pretty area with day trips and a week or two travel at end of visit (though paid work seems scarce and sort own accommodation)
- Which regions for Jan–Feb? Normally a city girl but would love to get outside and see NZ beauty spots. From research, Christchurch / Queenstown might be a good match if staying in one place, also eager to see as lots of beauty spots if possible!
- Vineyard/fruit-picking: I’ve met people who loved it. Is Jan–Feb realistic timing? Would also consider casual hospitality work alongside WWOOFing etc. I'm Irish, is walking into an Irish pub and asking if there’s availability a done thing in NZ?
- Typical WWOOF/HelpX etc. host stays: I'd imagined 1–2 weeks per place. Realistic or do most hosts want longer?
- Car: buy and resell as opposed to renting for a 2-month trip — worth the hassle?
TIA!
Extra info:
Never been to NZ before! Considering this trip to get a break from the desk job and live abroad for a while. I've only heard positives about the people and scenery in NZ!
Marketing manager with a postgrad in sustainability from Cambridge and volunteer with a conservation charity in the UK. I love getting my body moving and am very active, so organic farm work, conservation, vineyards etc. all appeal to me.
I’ve previously worked in catering/hospitality and retail so I’m very happy working with new people and getting stuck in.
I have a UK and Irish passport, so I’d be applying for the NZ Working Holiday Visa on my British passport.
