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So I'm planning a 3-month trip (mid-May to mid-August) to New Zealand next year, and I am in need of guidance/advice.
1) Anyway, the main reason I want to visit is to experience NZ (river-rafting, sky-diving, hiking/climbing, swimming, visiting the national parks, etc.), but I was also hoping to get a job while I'm there. Now, I have a Brazilian passport (though I live in the USA and am considered a permanent resident), and according to what I've researched online I won't need to apply for a visitor's visa if I'm only staying for three months, but considering the fact that I want to work, too, I'm having trouble finding which temporary work visa would apply to me. Does anyone have any idea, or would you recommend I talk to a travel agent?
2) As for where I want to go, I was planning on starting either in the North or South depending on which airport I land in, and then making my way to the opposite end of the country. I have some spots that I want to visit (e.g.: Queenstown, Fiordland, Rotorua), but again, I'm having a hard time finding someone who's been there and can advise me on how long to stay or where to go first or where to not go at all, or can advise me on a more feasible travel plan.
It's my first time traveling out of the country on my own, and I'm having some trouble finding someone in RL that's a) visited NZ, or b) has travel experience. I'm hoping I have more luck here!
1) Anyway, the main reason I want to visit is to experience NZ (river-rafting, sky-diving, hiking/climbing, swimming, visiting the national parks, etc.), but I was also hoping to get a job while I'm there. Now, I have a Brazilian passport (though I live in the USA and am considered a permanent resident), and according to what I've researched online I won't need to apply for a visitor's visa if I'm only staying for three months, but considering the fact that I want to work, too, I'm having trouble finding which temporary work visa would apply to me. Does anyone have any idea, or would you recommend I talk to a travel agent?
2) As for where I want to go, I was planning on starting either in the North or South depending on which airport I land in, and then making my way to the opposite end of the country. I have some spots that I want to visit (e.g.: Queenstown, Fiordland, Rotorua), but again, I'm having a hard time finding someone who's been there and can advise me on how long to stay or where to go first or where to not go at all, or can advise me on a more feasible travel plan.
It's my first time traveling out of the country on my own, and I'm having some trouble finding someone in RL that's a) visited NZ, or b) has travel experience. I'm hoping I have more luck here!
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I went to New Zealand about three years ago. I worked on a voluntary conservation project for a few weeks and then did a little time alone before joining a tour from Christchurch to Auckland. I wished I'd done the whole tour, which would have covered more of the South Island, but due to a messup/laziness on the part of my then travel agent it didn't seem possible.
I can't really tell you anything about official work permit type stuff (I was a volunteer so it didn't count) or passport regulations, but I do know that there are a lot of seasonal type positions fruit picking and similar as some of the people I travelled with went on to do that afterward - I think there are some age restrictions on those permits though.
There is a special bus tour that's available. From memory it tends to be predominantly young people on the journeys. The bus is specifically for backpackers who want to travel from one hostel/location to another. Most (If not all) of the stops are somewhere significant - frequently for the adventurous types - Waitomo (I think) for the Black Water Rafting, Night abseiling, Lake Taupo (I think again) for bungy and possibly Sky-diving. I think you can get off one bus and stay somewhere for a few days and get on the next one on the route (don't take that for definite though)
I didn't do that tour, I travelled with Trek New Zealand (the same overall company as Trek America) where the age range is wider, although still adventurous and you stay with the tour all the way. One guide and one group of people for the length of your stay.
I stayed in a great hostel in both Auckland and Christchurch and some other good ones en route although I couldn't remember the names of all of them but if you do need the suggestions for those two I could probably find them again as I booked them rather than them being part of the tour organisation.
If you have anything you think I could help with, let me know.
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You'll have no problem findings lots of adventure type activities to do. When we went we spent time in Taupo (North Island) where we did tandem skydiving (an absolutely unmissable experience) and bungy. I also did a long abeseil (blanking on where let me dig around and I might remember when I get back from a weekend away), and white water rafing just outside Rotorua.
It's a great country to visit, the people and friendly and very helpful in terms of pointing out things to do, places to visit, stuff to see and recomending places to stay.
Backpacking there is a doddle and since you won't be there in the height of the summer season (January) you should be fine with finding accommodation. The hostels are also a great way to meet people. When I was there I stayed in small shared dorms (3-4 people per room) and met some lovely folk to wander round with for a day or longer.
Kiwi Experience is a good place to start planning a back packing trip.
We never mad eit down to South Island (but I am starting to plan a round the world trip for 2013 in which I hope to spend lots of time in NZ)!
Good luck!