New Zealand Holiday

Question: Where to stay during a New Zealand working holiday?
I am planning on a very low budget working holiday trip to New Zealand, so I'll need to cut some costs on accommodation.

So where do you guys usually stay at? Hostel? Apt? How much is the rent? Websites and personal experiences will help! : )

Also, and other areas where I could cut costs....like food and travel?

Answer: This site features an extensive list of Accommodation in New Zealand http://www.kiwiaccommodation.com/

Question: How much does it cost for a New Zealand Working Holiday VISA for someone from the UK?
We are currently on working holiday Visas in Australia and want to go and do the same thing in New Zealand. Want to know how much it is gonna cost us

Answer: 110.00 Aussies per application - since you can apply in australia.

www.immigration.govt.nz

Applicants can also apply 'online'.

Question: Hi going to new zealand for holiday what is it like?
Hi going to new zealand for holiday what is it like?...

Well I live in america and have never been there whats it like?

Answer: I live in New Zealand & there's something for everyone here.
It's pretty laid back & friendly but depends what you're into & how much you want to spend while you're here.

Check out the link on the previous post for the
100% pure New Zealand tourism guide as it should
give you some ideas to get you on your way.

Question: Planning on doing a working holiday in New Zealand?
Me and my boyfriend are planning to do a working holiday in new zealand leaving in approx 2 months..anyone got any suggestions on where we should go from your own experience, or any contacts that could help us out.

Answer: You'll find this site very handy as it gives information and tips about a large number of places together with hostel reviews and other useful info.

http://www.bugpacific.com/destinations/nz.html

Question: New Zealand holiday parks and car hire?
I'm planning my yearly trip down under to see my 2 young kids again in April for 2 weeks next year, can anyone tell me a cheap holiday park and car hire firm, for the past 3 years I've stayed in the top 10 holiday parks all over the south and hired my cars from Ezy Rentals there not bad but i want to try some new things.... so if you can help please let me know...

Answer: www.aatravel.co.nz

This website has it all. Accomodation, travel deals, transport and hire... it is a good place to look in my opinion.

I havent been to many holiday parks so i couldnt really recommend them, but as for car rentals i have found that budget rentals and rent-a-dent are the cheapest around.

Question: Need Advise on New Zealand Winter Holiday : What City to Visit?
Hi,

We are planning to have a winter holiday on August, but we aren't sure wich city(ies) give the best experience during winter session.

Could someone advise us?

Answer: If you get time I think you should try and visit as many cities as you can! (there aren't many LOL) But since your time here may be limited, DEFINITELY come to the south island. My opinion may be biased but I think you get a much better "NZ" experience when you go to the South Island as opposed to the North Island.
Places you should visit:
Christchurch- it's where I live so I may be biased but it's a really beautiful city with lots of beaches and pretty gardens. We just had some exchange students from Florida come to my school and they LOVED Christchurch so much they want to move here.
Hanmer Springs- About an hour driving distance from Christchurch. It has hot pools and nice scenery.
Queenstown- adventure capital of the world, skiing beautiful scenery and more
Wanaka- never been there but I've heard its really nice
Kaikoura and Akaroa are both nice towns but they might not be so great this time of year. Although in August it should be starting to get warmer.

You can also go on a Lord of the Rings tour where you visit all the places that they filmed the LOTR movies. It's quite expensive but its worth it.

Question: New zealand snowboarding holiday advice?
My wife and i are planning on boarding in new zealand this season, but cant decide where to go. We heard queenstown has some great mountains nearby but is a big party town (which we arent really into - and there's no way i wanna bungy etc), and also heard there are some good places up christchurch way to board. There seems way more choice than in australia, so i'd like to hear from people with favorite places or suggestions. We are experienced riders, but like a bit of everything.

Answer: Don't go to Chch. There's %$&# all there. If you want to go anywhere around Christchurch (as Christchurch is the biggest city in the south island) go to Methven. Mount Hutt is known to be a good mountain and Methven's a nice village to go to where people actually go to ski. http://www.nzski.com/mountain.jsp?site=mthutt
Other places in the Sounth Island include Coronet Peak which is in Queenstown. The Remarkables which are also in Queenstown. Rainbow which is up by Nelson. Round Hill which is by Lake Tekapo and is more of a club field. There are also others located around the South Island and there are some big ones in the north. There are quite a number of good club fields in the south island. One of my favourites would have to be Ohau http://www.ohau.co.nz/index.cfm/welcome

Question: What do you think of New Zealand as a holiday destination?
What was your impression of New Zealand? The people (were they friendly), the countryside, the cities, the culture... everything!

Answer: Excellent choice to travel, great people, they can't do enough for you and will take you in no problem. Super landscapes and scenery.........But very expensive! You are best to book trains/planes/buses before you leave your city. Pay the extra with the airline to make multiple stop overs.Tours are expensive too, book most of what you want to do before you leave your departing city.
I did alot of hitch hiking and stayed at hostels, very reasonable.
Just make a good plan of where you want to go and what you want to see, if it takes an extra year to save the cash, do it, and
really enjoy your trip the way you want to do it.

Question: If you could design an incredible 10-day New Zealand holiday, what would your itinerary be?

Answer: Day 1 = Fly into Christchurch. In only ten days I'd suggest focussing on just the South Island. Pick a camper van or rental car at the airport. This is best way to get around NZ. Check out the Christchurch arts centre and then drive over to Lyttelton (stop at the gondola on the way through) in the afternoon. Be sure to visit the Volcano restaurant in Lyttelton.
Day 2 = Drive to Akaroa and then swim with the dolphins in Akaroa harbour
Day 3 = Drive to Nelson via the Lewis pass. This is a fantastic drive with spectacular scenery. Be sure to stop at Maruia Springs (Thermal Hot Pools).
Day 4 = Try and time your arrival in Nelson with the Saturday market which on year round and definitely worth a look.
Day 5 - 8 = Drive to the Abel Tasman National Park. The best way to see the park is by kayak. Typically most people start their kayak trip from Marehau and finish at Totaranui, but you can do it the other way around. Unless you're an experienced kayaker I'd recommend doing it with a tour guide. Take supplies and a tent and you will have the best three days of your life. The park is stunning... the jewel in crown of the Nelson area. Verdant bush and white and orange sandy beaches are ubiquitous.
Day 8 = Gain feeling back in your arms by having a relaxing stay at www.adrift.co.nz. The cottages are bang on the beach and after a spa bath and a cold beer your sore body will be in tip top condition in no time.
Day 9 = Check out Pio Pio springs the worlds clearest water
Day 10 = Drive back to Christchurch via Kiakoura. Be sure to stop at the roadside caravan that sells crayfish.

Question: Can you claim tax back from a working holiday in new Zealand?
I have been working in New Zeland on a casual basis under my 1 year working visa. When we did this in Australia after we had left we were able to claim back all of the tax we had paid whilst we were there. Do you know if you can do the same thing after leaving New Zeland and if so how?

Answer: If you were here for less than 183 days then you are classed as a New Zealand non-resident employee and you should be able to get your income tax back (so long as you paid the correct amount of tax to Inland Revenue when you were here). Naturally there are lots of forms you have to fill out.

This website might help:
http://www.ird.govt.nz/yoursituation-ind/travelling/nonresident-visitingshortterm.html