How I set off for New Zealand
I had always wanted to go to New Zealand. Mountains, fjords, sheep and places from The Lord of the Rings: as a photographer I'd dreamed of this country for years. In 2023 I finally decided: I'd quit my job, pack my camera and fly to the other side of the world for a year. In the end it became a year and a quarter, and New Zealand became my second home. This article starts a whole series on how I set off for New Zealand and what I experienced there.
Why New Zealand
I was drawn by the combination of wild nature, English and the chance to work legally. New Zealand has a Working Holiday Visa agreement with the Czech Republic, which lets young people live, travel and work in the country for up to a year. For me it was the perfect chance to combine photography with life abroad.
- Auckland – arrival and first weeks 36.849° S, 174.763° E
- Te Puke – working with kiwifruit 37.783° S, 176.317° E
- Mount Taranaki – a picture-perfect volcano 39.297° S, 174.063° E
- Wellington – the capital 41.286° S, 174.776° E
- Aoraki / Mount Cook – the South Island 43.595° S, 170.142° E
- Milford Sound – the southern fjords 44.641° S, 167.897° E
The Working Holiday Visa step by step
The rules can change, so always go by the official Immigration New Zealand website. From my experience:
- You apply online on the immigration website. The quota for Czechs is limited, so it pays to watch the dates.
- The age limit is 18–30.
- You must show funds for the start of your stay and have a return ticket or money for one.
- Health insurance for the whole stay is compulsory.
- Your passport must be valid for several months after your planned departure.
My approval took a few weeks. Then all that was left was to buy a ticket and start packing.
How much money to start with
New Zealand isn't cheap. For the first weeks, budget for a hostel, food, a SIM card and above all a car, if you want to travel. I bought my car after a few weeks and converted it into a camper: I write about it in buying a car and converting it to self-contained. A sensible reserve is several thousand New Zealand dollars.
What I took with me
A backpack, a suitcase and a camera bag. Most of my luggage was photo gear: two bodies, lenses, a drone, a tripod and filters. I packed clothes as if for the mountains: New Zealand's weather is changeable, and you can get four seasons in one day. The full list of what I shoot with is in a separate article.
Fear of the unknown
I won't lie: I was scared before I left. I was going alone, with no job, no home and nobody I knew. But that's exactly what moved me forward most in the end. What the first days and weeks were like, I describe in my first days in New Zealand.
If you're thinking about a similar trip, my message is simple: go. Travel is the best investment in yourself.
The whole New Zealand series
- My first days in New Zealand
- Buying a car and converting it to self-contained
- Working in New Zealand
- My first six months in New Zealand
- New Zealand through a photographer's eyes
Faq
Can Czechs go to New Zealand on a working holiday visa?
Yes. New Zealand has a working holiday agreement with the Czech Republic for people aged 18–30. You'll find the current conditions and quotas on the Immigration New Zealand website.
How much money do I need for New Zealand?
Besides the flight, budget for several weeks of living and a car. Immigration asks you to show a minimum amount for the start of your stay.
Is it hard to find work in New Zealand?
In seasonal work such as fruit picking, tourism and hospitality there's plenty. Flexibility and a willingness to move for work are key.
