Gap Year in New Zealand

There’s a good reason why most backpackers swing by New Zealand on their travels and often stay a lot longer than planned. The North Island boasts geysers and boiling mud pools and — not to be outdone — the South Island’s mountains, glaciers and fjords are equally beguiling. The perfect destination for adventurous backpackers.

Aotearoa, “The Land of the Long White Cloud”, New Zealand is justly famous for its stunning scenery and dramatic landscape, featured so prominently in the Lord of the Rings films. Friendly, welcoming and laid back, it is just the place for anyone looking for adventure and the adrenalin rush of outdoor sports or a working holiday.

New Zealand Gap Year Ideas

Quick Facts

• Capital City: Wellington
• Currency: New Zealand Dollar,NZD
• Language: English
• Time Zone: +12 GMT
• Dialling Code: +64

Best Gap Year Programs in New Zealand

There are placements throughout the country, from travelling overland on an adventure tour, to doing a working holiday, to interning to boost a career to helping in some wonderful schools and outdoor activity facilities for a memorable gap year.

A gap year in New Zealand offers something for everyone and you are spoilt for choice when it comes to things to do. Sheep may outnumber people, but do not be fooled by New Zealand’s sparse population density into thinking that you will have nothing to do during your free time. Kiwis are renowned for their warm and outgoing disposition, and the chances are your social calendar will be full in no time.

If you do find time outside of your social commitments, the country offers a wide range of opportunities to sample outdoor activities under breath-taking scenery. New Zealand is the birthplace of bungee jumping and adrenaline seekers will also find abundant opportunities to try out black-water rafting, zorbing and skydiving.

No placement in New Zealand is complete until you have witnessed first-hand the country’s passion for rugby: Join a local club, or just watch from the stands and let yourself get carried away by the atmosphere.

Backpacking in New Zealand

Visas
British citizens can enter visa-free as a tourist for up to six months while residents of the EU, Canada, USA and South Africa can stay for three months. As tourists, Australians can stay indefinitely. If you plan on working you’ll need a visa – the New Zealand authorities are pretty strict when it comes to work.

Getting There and Away
There’s an abundance of flights to New Zealand from Europe, Asia, North and South America. But, unless you’re arriving from Australia, the airfare is likely to take a fairly large chunk of your budget. Flights at Christmas and Easter are pretty popular so if you’re planning on travelling at these times book far in advance.

Getting Around
If you need to cross between the north and south islands, flying is a cheaper as well as faster option when compared to trains or buses. For travel elsewhere there is a stack of bus companies – including the famous KiwiExperience Backpacker Bus – offering routes across the country. To explore the cities why not hire a bike?

Safety
Your trip should be fairly safe and trouble-free. That said, in busy areas petty thieves operate so the usual safety precautions apply: keep your bags zipped up and your money in a safety belt. If you’re planning on hiring a camper van always make sure you lock the doors and don’t leave it unattended.

Vaccinations and Health
Your biggest worry is the high level of ultraviolet radiation –due to New Zealand’s location– so wear a hat and sunglasses and slather on the sun screen. If camping cover up to avoid tick bites.

How do I fit in?
Are you a fan of Peter Jackson’s cinematic depiction of Middle Earth? Then you’ll fit in a treat, especially if you can recognise Tongariro’s volcanoes.

Can I bend the rules?
In a word, no. Any visitors caught with illegal drugs will be sent home and not allowed to return, which doesn’t bear thinking about. That even applies to marijuana, so the only grass you’re likely to see is the stuff making the rolling hills look nice.

Will I find myself?
You will find yourself breathless, either at the scenery or through exhilaration. New Zealand has no state religion, but the Kiwi love of the great outdoors comes close to worship.

Which animals want me for lunch?
Their neighbours across the Tasman Sea may live with all kinds of creepy-crawlies, but Kiwis have no such bother. Their sole poisonous spider, the rare katipo, only bites in self-defence.

Can I drink the water?
Sure. And you’ll need to, to keep hydrated for all the extreme sports!

Don’t Leave Here Without…

Jumping on three
One – breathe in. Two – look straight ahead. Three – forget you’re about to do something completely insane and step into the void. Queenstown is the bungee capital of the world. Jump the Kawarau Bridge (spare underpants required), the hefty Nevis (134m) or try the world’s biggest rope swing.

Going all hot and cold
With an ice axe in your hand and crampons on your feet, conquer Franz Josef Glacier, working up a sweat as you slide through ice corridors and scale steps cut into the ice.

Taking a trip to Wellington
If New Zealand’s capital had an internet dating profile, you’d ignore it. A write-up that good surely couldn’t be true. But it really is bohemian, cultured and beautiful. Best of all, it’s up for a good time and won’t expect any long-term commitment.

Having a subterranean adventure
Abseil into the Waitomo caves, whoosh down zip-lines under glow-worm light, go tubing through pitch-black underground waterways and clamber up waterfalls back to daylight.

Kicking back and hangi out
Ease off the adrenaline pedal and head to Rotorua for a night of Maori culture – music, a haka (dance) display, dancing and a hangi feast of pork, chicken, fish, potatoes and pumpkin, all slow cooked in an underground oven.

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