A Traveller's Guide to Working in Hospo

Jul 24, 2019

Ahhh HOLIDAY. It has quite the ring to it. I mean, c’mon- who doesn’t love a long and adventure-filled getaway far from home? Yes puh-lease. 

Life on holiday sure is dreamy, until… WAIT…how much does that brekky cost? Those flights are how much? Where’d all my hard-earned savings go? Help me I’m poor. 

Oh yeah. There’s a reason it’s called a “working” holiday. 

In order to best experience life as a local and pay for future travels, you’ll need to get a job and earn some money! And what better industry to get involved in than hospitality! 

There are a few things to know before hopping right into a job in a foreign country, so here are some helpful tips to help you land the job of your holiday dreams! 

Setup a Kiwi bank account 

There’s plenty of good options out there, but make sure to do your research first to find the one that's right for you. Normally you have to set up an appointment to open a bank account and be able to provide your passport, proof of address and copy of your visa. To get proof of address staying in a hostel some banks allow the hostel owner to write a letter saying you're staying there so just check with the bank first! Once you set up an account, you can give the details to your employer and like magic, they’ll fill it up with money! CHA-Ching. 

Register for a IRD

Your IRD (Inland Revenue Department) number is your personal reference number in the tax and super systems. This number is pretty much essential to get a job in New Zealand. It’s not 100% necessary, but without one you pay more tax and won't be able to lodge your tax return electronically. It’s super simple to obtain and you can just head to the IRD’s website and fill out a few forms and *BOOM* you’re registered! Just a note: You have to have a bank account set up in order to apply for an IRD or a customer due diligence number (CDD)!

Join Barcats 

BARCATS BARCATS BARCATS! If you’ve heard of us, then you’re already steps closer to finding an awesome job in the hospitality industry! By registering as a staff member (its free btw) you gain access to the latest and greatest job postings in your area! You have the option to input your availability, so you can work around YOUR schedule! Barcats have jobs in Auckland and Christchurch so you can also use the site if you plan on moving around the country.

Click here to create your profile now, or if you already have a profile check out the latest jobs in New Zealand!

Working holidays are meant to be a mix of work & play. Once you have all the above steps in order and have secured an awesome hospitality job with Barcats you can then check out our community page for events happening near you and stay up to date with the latest hospo news in NZ!