Working in New Zealand

Working holiday schemes

Encouraging increased people-to-people contact is an important aspect of promoting stronger ties between countries.

A vital aspect of New Zealand's efforts to develop closer links with the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland and Norway is the development of Working Holiday Schemes with each country. Under these schemes, negotiated between governments, young nationals between age 18 and 30 can spend a year living and working in New Zealand.

As these schemes become more widely known they are proving popular and numbers continue to grow.

Please note that from March 2008, working holiday-makers who work for a minimum of three months in an agricultural industry are now eligible to apply for a separate three-month extension visa at the end of their working holiday visa.

For information about a Working Holiday Visa for New Zealand, please click on the relevant link below. 

• New Zealand – Netherlands Working Holiday Scheme
• New Zealand – Denmark Working Holiday Scheme
• New Zealand – Norway Working Holiday Scheme 
• New Zealand – Finland Working Holiday Scheme

For information on job opportunities in New Zealand and other travel information for your working holiday, click here.

Work Visa

If you are wishing to work in New Zealand you must apply in advance for a Work Visa. In general, citizens of the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, and Norway will be granted a New Zealand Work Visa or Permit if they hold a written offer of employment for which they are qualified; and have a letter of "Approval in Principle" issued by Immigration New Zealand or come under the categories of work visas that do not require a letter of "Approval in Principle".

You can check the requirements to obtain a Work Visa and download a Work Visa application form from the Immigration New Zealand website.