Working Holiday Scheme (WHS)

New Zealand has agreements with 31 countries for people to take advantage of short-term seasonal work.  Please see: www.immigration.govt.nz

People can apply for a WHS before they leave their home country, or as a Visitor already in NZ, for up to 12 months (23 months for the UK).  The WHS will allow you to work for up to 3 months for any one employer

Working Holiday Scheme Extension Permit

If you have a WHS and have worked for 3 months in the horticulture/viticulture industry, you are eligible to extend your WHS by 3 months.  You will need to provide evidence, i.e. Payslips/Letter from Employer/Inland Revenue Department statements.

Variation of Conditions (VOC)

Visitors already in NZ can apply for a VOC to undertake seasonal work in the horticulture/viticulture industries for 6 weeks.  Holders of VOC’s may only work in a region where a seasonal labour shortage has been declared.  We can advise when our seasonal labour shortage is declared. 

Supplementary Seasonal Employer (SSE)

THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO PLACES AVAILABLE UNDER THIS SCHEME,  AND NO FURTHER SSE WORK PERMITS ARE BEING ISSUED AT THIS TIME - 23 March 2010

Visitors to NZ may apply for an SSE permit for up to 6 months.  The SSE permit allows the holder to work only for an SSE approved employer in the horticulture/viticulture industries.  We can give you advice on which SSE Employers in our region have work available