The centre was established to assist an increasing number of travellers seeking work while visiting New Zealand and endeavour to help anyone find work. Employment ranges from labouring/construction, short/long term temping assignments, bar and cafe work, to seasonal fruit picking and staff are consistently updating their work board.

As part of our service we will assist anyone with opening up bank accounts, applying for IRD Numbers (tax numbers), information on how to apply for a working visa, help preparing your Curriculum Vitae's (resume) and arrange interview times with employers. We can then assist with transport to and from the interviews. We will also endeavour to provide an employment agency support system for travellers.

On average New Zealand Job Search will have between 40 - 90 jobs listed (this will depend on the season) and currently work is available in both skilled and unskilled fields as New Zealand is experiencing a skills shortage in all areas from health care to IT and accounting to forestry. This is a result of the 'brain drain' - where an increasing number of our skilled workers are leaving our shores to travel and work abroad. The majority of hospitality, construction, administration and IT jobs can be found in the cities such as Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Auckland is a gateway city and is the main commercial centre. Around two thirds of New Zealand's population live in Auckland city and its surrounding suburbs. It's a great place to work with a warm climate and is close to harbour, beaches and mountain ranges.

In order to work in New Zealand you need to have either a work permit, visa or be part of a Working Holiday Scheme. Please see the section on Work Visas, Work Permits and Working Holiday Schemes. (New Zealand Job Search can also assist with this.)

Everyone in New Zealand, whether you are working in an office or an orchard needs a IRD number. (You can pick up an application form from New Zealand Job Search.)

Most banks have a range of services including cheque, saving, and term deposit accounts and telephone banking. It is usually cheaper to use an EFTPOS [ATM] card than withdraw money at the bank. Most employers will require you do open a bank account as most wages are paid directly into your account. Generally people get paid weekly but some companies do pay fort-nightly or monthly. New Zealand have an Employment Relations Act, which requires both casual and full-time staff to have an Employment contract.

The cost of living in New Zealand is relatively cheap compared to other countries, as our dollar is weak against other currencies, (i.e.: £1 English pound is equivalent to NZ$3.00) Food is relatively cheap, for example, a litre of milk is $1.80, bread $1.95, butter $1.

It is relatively easy to find short-term accommodation in New Zealand. If you are going to be staying in one area to work, it would be advisable to check which hostels offer long-term accommodation. Backpacker hostels range from $18 - $20 a night in a dormitory room.

Alternatively, you can rent a house or apartment. Rent ranging from $95 to $200 in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Usually all you have to organise is your bedroom furniture. If you are prepared to pay a bit more, you may be able to get a house/apartment fully furnished. Rent is usually paid weekly and expenses such as electricity, food and phone are shared between others in the house.