All About the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa

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The New Zealand Working Holiday Visa lets you live, work, and explore the country while gaining international experience.

If you’re in turf management or groundskeeping, this visa gives you the chance to work in a new environment and learn different techniques, experiencing New Zealand’s sporting culture firsthand.

The information in this article is accurate to February 2025. If you’re reading this in the future, visa requirements, costs, and eligibility criteria may have changed.

Table of Contents

What Is the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa

The Working Holiday Visa allows people aged 18 to 30 (or up to 35 for certain nationalities) to stay in New Zealand for up to a year while working short-term jobs. If you’re from Canada or the UK, you can stay for up to three years.

You can enter and leave the country as much as you want while your visa is valid. This means you have the flexibility to mix work with travel during your stay.

Who Can Apply

To be eligible for the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa, you need to have a passport from an approved country and meet the age requirements when you apply. You’ll also need to show proof of enough funds—NZD $4,200 for 12 months or $350 a month—to support yourself, along with money for a return flight.

The countries eligible for the Working Holiday Visa include:

  • Argentina
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • China
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malaysia
  • Malta
  • Mexico
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • Turkey
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Uruguay
  • Vietnam

Each country has a limited number of visa places available each year. Some, like the UK and Canada, have unlimited spots, while others use a first-come, first-served basis.

How to Apply

You can apply for the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa online through Immigration New Zealand’s website. You’ll need a valid passport, proof of funds, and any required health checks. The application fee varies depending on your nationality but is typically around NZD $450. Most applications are processed within a few weeks.

Once your visa is approved, you have 12 months to enter New Zealand.

How to Extend Your Stay

If you’re a UK or Canadian passport holder, you can apply for a visa extension of up to three years without needing to complete specific types of work. This means you can stay in New Zealand longer without restrictions on the type of employment you take on.

If you’re from another country, you might only be able to apply for an extension if you complete at least three months of work in eligible industries. These typically include horticulture and viticulture, like fruit picking, vineyard maintenance, and seasonal farm work. Some construction and tourism-related jobs may also qualify, depending on the labour shortages at the time. 

If you’re considering staying beyond your first year and don’t hold a UK or Canadian passport, it’s worth researching approved job types in advance to make sure you meet the requirements.

Finding Work in Turf Management

If you’re planning to work in turf management while you’re on a Working Holiday Visa, it’s a smart move to start looking before you arrive. Jobs in golf course maintenance and sports turf aren’t always advertised through traditional job boards, so you’ll want to be proactive here.

A lot of positions are filled through direct contact or word of mouth, so you’ll have a better chance of finding opportunities by reaching out to golf courses, stadiums, and local councils. New Zealand employers value practical experience, so having hands-on turf management skills will put you in a strong position.

Auckland and Wellington have a high demand for experienced groundskeepers due to their busy sporting schedules. Christchurch and Queenstown also offer seasonal work, especially during peak tourism periods. If you’re open to regional work, you can also look for openings at golf courses, racecourses, and large public parks in smaller towns.

At International Greenkeepers for Hire, one of our key roles is to help people from all over the world connect with turf management jobs in New Zealand and beyond. You can use our Turf Passport system to get your CV in front of clubs and organisations seeking skilled workers, and browse our Facebook group and LinkedIn for job opportunities. Joining our network gives you access to an international community of greenkeepers, helping you find the right role before you even arrive.

Getting Ready for Your Trip

Before you arrive in New Zealand, you’ll want to make a plan for short-term accommodation. A lot of people on the Working Holiday Visa start by staying in hostels or short-term rentals before they find a more permanent place to live. If you’re working on a golf course or stadium, your employer may offer accommodation as part of the job.

Aside from accommodation, you’ll also need to look into medical insurance, as healthcare costs can be high if you don’t have coverage. Some countries have reciprocal healthcare agreements with New Zealand, but you might still find it reassuring to have more extensive travel insurance that covers medical expenses.

Financially, you’ll need to prove that you have at least NZD $4,200 for 12 months, but having extra savings will cover any unexpected expenses and give you more opportunities to travel and enjoy yourself once you arrive. Keep in mind that major cities like Auckland and Wellington can be expensive, so it’s helpful to look into New Zealand’s cost of living and plan your budget in advance.

Once you arrive, one of the first things you should do is set up a New Zealand bank account and get an Inland Revenue Department (IRD) number. You need an IRD number to work legally and avoid higher tax rates.

Making the Most of Your Time in New Zealand

One of the best things about the Working Holiday Visa in New Zealand is that it gives you the freedom to balance your work with travel. It’s definitely worth making the most of this opportunity by taking weekend trips to explore national parks and beaches, so you fully experience the country while you’re there.

With no restrictions on the number of jobs you can take, you can work in different places and enjoy everything New Zealand has to offer. Turf management roles give you an opportunity to work in some of the most scenic locations while gaining valuable international experience.

If you’re ready to start your Working Holiday Visa journey in New Zealand, here are the next steps to take:

  • Join our Facebook group to find job opportunities for overseas workers in New Zealand.
  • Submit your profile on Turf Passport and share your availability to get your name in front of clubs and organizations seeking qualified turf management professionals.
  • Apply for the Working Holiday Visa here.