Category: Backpacking

Backpacking tips and advice for New Zealand

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Backpacking Living in New Zealand Transport

Driving Rules in New Zealand

Can you turn left at a red light?  Do you really have to give way to the right? What about parking?  Driving in New Zealand is quite similar to other western countries but there are a few rules to bear in mind to avoid an accident ruining your time in the country.  The most important differences are outlined below.

Drive on the left

Like the UK, Australia and Japan, New Zealand drives on the left, and the steering wheel’s on the right.  There’s a mix of automatic and manual transmission with neither being dominant.

Red Lights

Unlike the USA you cannot turn left at a red light.  Some lights will have dedicated lanes that bypass the lights, but this is specific to junctions and not the norm.

Give Way to the Right When Turning Left

If you don’t pay attention to the rest of this article, read this one!  This will catch many people out during their visit to New Zealand and it could be argued it’s the cause of most of the small accidents in the country.  If you are turning left onto a side road, you must give way (yield) to traffic crossing your path from the right!

Give way to the right when turning left

This rule can be very confusing if you are on a two way road, and there is a car behind you going straight on.  Thankfully the law relating to this is due for change around 2012, but always be careful in this situation.

Junctions

It’s worth taking particular care at junctions – there are some very strange ones dotted around the country!  Sometimes you may get a sign looking like you are taking a right turn, but it’s just an indication of the main road you are on having a particularly sharp bend.  Sometimes there are 4 way junctions, and sometimes you wonder why on earth they came up with the road design they did.  Most junctions are easy enough, but beware.

Speed Limits & Road Types

Speed and distance are measured in kilometres.  Speed limits are generally 50km/h in towns and cities, and 100km/h on the open road.  Some shopping areas in towns and cities will enforce a limit of 30km/h.

Apart from the more populated areas of Auckland and Wellington, multi lane motorways are not common in New Zealand.  The main highways throughout most of the country are only one lane in each direction.  There are many junctions from main roads to river access points, scenic areas and private roads so you’ll often have drivers slowing down when you may not expect it.

There can be a lot of agricultural vehicles in some areas and often farm animals are moved along the road.  If you start to see signs warning you of animals on the road and you hardly ever see any, don’t become complacent as the next time you speed around the corner you may be confronted with a road full of sheep and nowhere to go……

Parking

You must park in the direction of travel – e.g. if you see a space on the other side of the road, don’t cross into the oncoming lane and reverse into the space – you will probably get a ticket.  Also be careful that you don’t park over a fire hydrant or something – a friend recently got a ticket when doing that and there was no warning sign in place!

Take Your Time

There’s a lot to see in New Zealand, and a lot of places to pull off for a rest and refreshment.  Take advantage of them and take your time.  The roads here can be narrow and hilly and it may not be easy to pass others.  It can take a bit longer to cover the distance than you may expect so take this into consideration.  If you’re travelling 300km, don’t assume you’ll be doing 100km/h and it’ll take you just over 3 hours – there are probably a lot of towns and villages on the way where you’ll have to slow down.  Plan accordingly and leave plenty of time.

Driving with a Campervan

Campervans are big.  Campervans are heavy.  New Zealand is hilly.  If you’re driving a van, campervan or motorhome, pull over now and again if you are causing a hold up and there will be less chance of someone behind you pushing to overtake you.  Be a considerate driver.

Winter Driving

Although it’s called the ‘Desert Road’ (to the east of the Tongariro National Park), and the main road South from Taupo, it’s often affected by snow and ice, particularly in the winter.  This road is no exception – be prepared for winter.  Winter can be harsh in New Zealand particularly in the central North Island and South Island.  Be prepared for snow and ice. Some access roads to ski resorts are steep and you may be forced to put on chains to access them, or have a 4×4

Police and Speed Cameras

There can be a lot of police on the roads in New Zealand, particularly around holiday periods.  There are also speed cameras dotted around.  In the UK, speed cameras can be really obvious as sometimes have warning signs and covered with bright striped – don’t expect the same here.

Insurance

Car insurance is not compulsory in New Zealand although most people have it.  Bear this in mind when you take the risk when hiring a car or campervan and carefully consider whether you want to take out the entire insurance package.

Driving Licences

You can drive in New Zealand using many driving licences or an international driving licence.  If you stay in the country for over 12 months you’ll have to get a New Zealand driving licence.

Conclusion

Driving in New Zealand can be very relaxing compared to other countries – there are less people around, and less built up areas.  Despite this there are the exceptions above to remember, particularly the give way rule which causes a lot of confusion to newcomers.  New Zealand has to be one of the most enjoyable counties to do a self drive tour around, so hopefully with these tips, you have a safe and hassle free experience.

If you are coming over here for a longer period, please check out our guides to Buying a Used Car or Campervan in New Zealand, or Renting a Campervan.

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Backpacking

Ski Season Jobs – Working on a Ski Field in New Zealand

Free lift passes, working in the great outdoors, unlimited time to ski the fresh powder?  Get real. Rumours had it that a position for shop staff in Queenstown had people queueing along the street for an interview during the 2010 season.  As well as fruit picking, working a ski season is one of the reasons many backpackers travel to New Zealand.  Don’t be fooled that you can turn up in Queenstown mid season and pick up a job the next day – there’s strict competition for jobs, and it helps if you plan it in advance, and arrive in the area prior to the start of the season.  This guide will give you tips on how to get a season job on the New Zealand ski fields.

There’s a great variety of jobs in during the ski season from customer service reps, or instructors through to cafe staff and chambermaids.  Many of these positions will be filled before you think about applying so how should you go about it?

Timing

At the risk of stating the obvious, remember that New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere.  The winter season generally runs from July to October making it an ideal jump for Nothern Hemisphere season workers.  Applications for some ski jobs open from January or before, and can close as early as March.  Jobs generally start between mid June and early July.  Competition for jobs and (affordable!) accommodation is fierce so it pays to be prepared and start the ball rolling as early as you can, and aim to be in the area as soon as you can.  If you can’t fit into this schedule it could still be worth you making a few calls during the season as some staff may not last the whole season for a number of reasons.

Check out some of the links below for more information on the processes of applying.

Location

Although the South Island is where the majority of jobs are based there are also major ski resorts in the central North Island.  The main employers are :

North Island : Mt Ruapehu for Whakapapa and Turoa resorts (Central North Island)

South Island :

  • Mt Hutt (Methven, west of Christchurch)
  • Cardrona (Wanaka)
  • Treble Cone (Wanaka)
  • Coronet Peak and the Remarkables (Queenstown)
  • Club fields – there are many club fields within a commutable distance from Christchurch

Wanaka is a much smaller town than Queenstown – less people, less commercial, and often preferred by many Kiwis.

Jobs

If you have a speciality such as a snowsports instuctor qualification, can work the piste machines, a snowmaker, or ski patrol member you will have a better chance of being selected and may be able to be more specific.  Note that snowsports instructors are officially listed in the skills shortage category on the New Zealand Immigration website so you could have other advantages for your visa as well!

There are a multitude of jobs available though from lift attendents to customer service and marketing – check out the websites below for a list.

Websites

Check out the following websites for more information specific to the ski areas mentioned :

Mt Ruapehu Jobs
Treble Cone Jobs
Cardrona Jobs
Coronet Peak and Remarkables Jobs

Other general websites that may help :

Natives (UK Based seasonal worker website)

If a winter seasonal job doesn’t suit you why not check out our guides to WOOFing in New Zealand, or seasonal fruit picking jobs? 

If you have any experiences or stories to tell about working a ski season in New Zealand, please let us know the highs and lows using the comments below.

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Backpacking

WWOOFing in New Zealand – Working on an Organic Farm

WWOOfing is a worldwide scheme to allow people to volunteer on an organic farm in return for accommodation and often food.  WWOOfing in Zealand is an ideal opportunity for backpackers, and working holiday visa holders to experience working and living on organic farms, market gardens, sustainable living projects and community projects.

To participate in WOOFing you will be considered as working despite not actually getting money in return for your work so you must have a valid work permit or visa.  You must join the WOOFing organisation before volunteering, and this will give you a list of active projects that you can select from.  At this stage you’ll usually make contact with the relevant hosts to find your suitability to them (and just as importantly find their suitability to you!).

There are a whole host of WOOFing opportunities throughout New Zealand.  Many participants will end up working at organic farms but there is a huge variety of projects from helping a family to build an eco-house to helping feed animals, planting or just helping out on a day to day basis.

Placements

When looking at potential hosts it’s important to consider what you want out of the experience.  Are you studying a related course and want to get experience to boost your CV?  Do you just want to see what it’s like living and working with an organic, sustainable lifestyle, or do you just want to help out in return for some lodging and potentially food?  Would you rather stay with a small family, or hang out with a bunch of fellow travellers?  It’s important to consider what you want, as much as what the hosts offer – they are opening up their homes, and often their businesses to you.  Some tasks offered may be seen as mundane by some such as weeding and planting, whereas other hosts may have very specific requirements such as plumbers or carpenters.

It will help both you and the hosts if you are realistic in what you want out of the experience.  We’ve heard of backpackers having some truly amazing experiences doing work they’d never otherwise have the opportunity of doing elsewhere, but we’ve also heard of the horror stories where they just haven’t got along with their hosts.

Remember to be considerate to your hosts as well – some will be inundated with applications so call ahead in advance to discuss availability.

Application

To participate in WOOFing in New Zealand you must register either online, or at an appropriate office of location.  Some of the bigger hostels such as Base may have job desks where you can register on the spot and get a book detailing the opportunities available, or you may join online if you are on the road.  The WOOFing website will have the most up to date placements available.

Registration costs are (as at October 2010) $40 doing an online application, or $50 if you receive a printed booklet.

At this stage its then up to you to approach hosts you are interested in and take it from there.

Conditions

As you can imagine with such a variety of projects, there’s a variety of conditions as well.  You may be put up in some luxury accommodation if you’re lucky, or you may be living in a rustic rural community.  Expect to get a bit dirty during much of the work and take appropriate clothing.  You may be out of mobile phone reception so if your parent like to give you a call every couple of days, or expect your blog to be updated daily, set their expectations so they don’t get too worried!

Work Hours

Working hours will depend on your project.  Most placements will expect 4-6 hours of work a day, but some may allow you to stack up the work so you work extra hours some days in return for a free day to explore the area.  If this is what you want to do, remember to check what the transport options are like if you are based in a rural area – if you have your own transport you’ll be able to get around easier but some placements may have very little or no public transport available.

Links

You can get more information on WOOFing from the Woofing New Zealand website :

WOOFing New Zealand

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Backpacking

Seasonal Work in New Zealand – Fruit Picking

Seasonal working is what many backpackers will end up doing during their gap year, or working holiday visa duration in New Zealand.  For most people, seasonal working either falls into one of two areas : Fruit Picking, or working on the ski fields.  This guide will detail the fruit picking side of seasonal working.

Fruit Picking jobs in New Zealand

There are a few varieties of ‘fruit picking’ work in New Zealand which fall into the main categories outlined below :

Fruit Picking
This work will usually involve picking fruit from trees or plants and placing them into bags which are then emptied into larger bins.  This type of work is very labour intensive, and can mean picking from a ladder if the fruit you are picking grows on trees or larger bushes.

Fruit Grading
Fruit grading means you will be selecting fruits to go into trays, and will often involve long periods of standing, or shift work.  You may be grading fruit from a conveyor belt so you could be standing for long periods.

Fruit Packing
This type fo fruit work can also involve long periods of standing or shift work and you will be filling trays with fruits.

Stacking
Stacking and strapping means you will be packing fruit into cartons and strapping them down, and comes further down the chain from the previous type of work mentioned.

Machine Operation
As you can imagine there are some machines that are commonly used throughout the fruit picking process.  Many of these roles are likely to require a further certificate such as the ability to drive tractors, or operate a forklift truck.

Quality Control and Supervising
This role is often occupied by people with prior experience in the fruit picking industry and will would involve supervising others in orchards, farms or packing sheds to ensure the quality control processes were being adhered to.

Many of the above roles are advertised on specialist sites, hostel noticeboards and job desks in the bigger hostels.  There are also many hostels in the specific areas that specialise in placing workers in local companies.  Usually you can give them a call before you head to the area and have a chat to see if there is work available, and if you’re lucky you could be earning money within days.  If you get work through a hostel there are usually conditions that you must stay there during the period of the employment.  Whilst this sounds like you are tied in to a specific hostel, it also means you are working and living in the same place as your colleagues so there can be a big comaraderie between people on site.

As you can imagine this type of work is very seasonal as well and different regions have their busy times according to the fruits that are grown and processed in that area

The main areas involved, and their high seasons are roughly :

Northland (North of Auckland) – April to July peak, but year round potential
Waikato / Bay of Plenty (South East of Auckland) – March to May peak, but year round
Hawkes Bay (East of North Island) – February to May peak
Wairarapa (North East of Wellington) – less work here but February to May peak
Abel Tasman (Nelson – North/NW of North Island) – February to April peak
Marlborough (North East of South Island) – year round, but June to August peak
Central Otago (South of South Island – Queenstown area) – December to March peak

Many backpackers initially consider fruit picking to be easy money, but its a commitment to hard graft, and the people who make the most generally have a bit more experience, or put in the real effort to get through the work.  As you gain experience you’ll become better at identifying better fruits and ensuring the quality control is done correctly so you’ll get less surprises at the end of the day.  If you think about the weight of apples and the lifting involved, or getting your hands stuck into some prickly pruning you’ll get a more realistic view.  In saying this, it’s a great way of getting some funds to extend your trip in the land of the great white cloud….  We’ll soon draw up a list of hostels and websites which will help you on your way.

If you have any experience in this industry or have top tips to help others please pass them on through the comments below.

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Backpacking Featured Transport

Ultimate Guide to Hiring a Campervan in New Zealand

DCRAIG_20100820_108_web You’re considering hiring a camper van in New Zealand but you don’t know what you want.  Are they difficult to drive?  Expensive to run?  Are they slow?  This guide to hiring a camper van in New Zealand will guide you through many of the things to consider.  This guide will only deal with renting a camper van – if you are interested in buying one either for backpacking, or for longer term use, check out the guide to buying a used car of campervan instead (coming soon!).

In this article we’ll cover the following : Facilities, Campervan Styles, Extras, Bonds, Time of Year to rent, off season relocations, pick up and drop off times and the New Zealand ‘Camping Our Way’ guide.

Facilities

First of all make a list of what you want out of your camper van while touring New Zealand as this will make a dramatic difference in the costs, and how self sufficient you are.  The choice largely depends on the comforts you want – are you happy to rough it looking out for public toilets and showers to use, or do you want to be able to pull up in the middle of nowhere, grab the chilled wine, and throw on the microwave meal whilst going for a quick shower inside?  Do you need full electric power to power laptops etc from normal plug sockets, and do you want to be able to cook without having to unfold a camping stove?
Some people may decide to compromise on some facilities due to where they are likely to stay.  If you are going to stay on campsites, many in New Zealand have TV lounges etc so you may be able to save some money by not having as many luxuries the van.  In saying this, many backpackers will hire a basic van and still stay off the beaten track but it’s important to recognise the impact on the environment this can have.
Unless you are more elderly or just value your privacy I don’t really understand people who hire expensive motor homes with tvs, fridges, and showers, yet still spend $20-30 a night to stay on a camp site.

Campervan Styles

Like cars, there are many different style of camper van in New Zealand.  The three main categories can be described are briefly described below, with bullet lists of facilities you may expect in each category.  Due to the great number of layout options available, the facilities will vary according to rental company and, more importantly, your budget.

DCRAIG_20100927_005_web

BACKPACKER / BUDGET VANS

– capacity of 2 people comfortably  ($30-80) per night
Pros :

  • may be converted people carriers, or basic vans – easy to drive, cheaper to run
  • lots of choice, very cost effective way to rent a van and save on costs
  • unlikely to be a full conversion so may offer more space if you have a lot of kit

Cons :

  • little or no electric hookup – may provide 12 volt charger for ipods etc
  • collapsible camping style stove with gas cans
  • seating may be more basic meaning you have to turn your seats into a bed.
  • fridge likely to be 12v coolbox
  • more likely to be basic conversions and not proper kitchen style units
  • may only offer a fixed bed which may not fold away
  • if there isn’t a secondary leisure battery you could flatten your battery if you listen to the stereo etc.
  • Some companies will paint their vans with muti colour logos and slogans – e.g. Escape & Wicked. They may offend some people, but they’re intended to be funny

DCRAIG_20100808_129_web

MID RANGE DCRAIG_20100925_093_web
– capacity 2-4 people depending on size, $50-120 a night

Pros :

  • more powerful leisure batteries to allow power when not plugged into the mains
  • may offer a proper fridge
  • may offer full electric hookup when on camp or motorhome sites
  • more likely to be converted with proper units and built in stove, drawers etc
  • built in water and waste tanks

Cons :

  • may be slightly larger vans, with an increased cost of running
  • more expensive to hire

LUXURY DCRAIG_20100925_022_web
– capacity of 2-4++ people, up to ££££ per night
Pros :

  • on board toilet and shower at top end
  • ability to be self sufficient
  • tv and stereo
  • separate living and sleeping areas
  • more storage

Cons :

  • bulkier vehicles to harder to navigate some narrower roads
  • if still staying on campsites it will work out expensive
  • more costly to run and slower to drive

Extras

When you are making rental enquiries, check that there aren’t any additional charges for things you may consider essentials like 12 volt chargers, sleeping bags, cutlery etc.  Gadgets such as satnav are likely to cost you more and could add quite a bit onto your rental costs.

RUCs are Road User Charges that are applicable to diesel vehicles in New Zealand, which basically makes up most of the difference in price between petrol and diesel.  If you are renting a diesel van check whether the RUC costs are included, or if they will be added on when you return your vehicle.

DCRAIG_20100925_074_web

Self Contained Certification

If you want to have the ultimate freedom to stop anywhere, you should check that your campervan is certified self contained by the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association (NZMCA).  This means that it is self contained for a set number of days minimum and has an onboard toilet.  Some parking areas have this as a restriction and they are actually patrolled so you’ll get warnings if you stay there in an uncertified van.

 

Bonds & Deposits

In the past we’ve had rental bonds required to be paid upfront rather than just taking a credit card imprint.  Although this practice shouldn’t happen, it’s worth checking as it could be treated as a cash advance on your card.

Time of Year

If you are travelling in low season like mid winter, early Spring, or later Summer you may be able to get some really good deals either allowing you to just save money, have a longer trip, or move up a level in luxury.  While writing this in September there were offers where you could hire vans from $30 a day or under, 30% off, free relocations from South to North for up to 7 days and you could get 2 for 1 deals on some attractions and ski resorts so it is worth shopping around a lot.

Off Season Relocations

Many tourists will start their journey in Auckland, finishing in Christchurch either flying back for their flight home, or having different entry and exit points.  If you are travelling off season and do your trip the other way round you may be able to get a few days rental for free by doing a relocation for a rental company.  If you do this you’ll either get the whole rental cost for free if you get it back in a few days, or be able to rent for longer and get a reduction of a few days cost.  In reality, the first option isn’t a good way to experience the country as it won’t give you any time to stop.  Sometimes you could get up to 7 days free including a free interislander ferry ticket when travelling South to North.

Pick up and Drop off Times

If you are planning on landing at the airport and taking off in your van immediately check the rental company is open at the time of your arrival or departure is outside of standard business hours.

Speed

You probably already know that New Zealand is a beautiful country – that’s why you’re thinking of heading here!  With larger campervans or motorhomes you will notice the speed tailing off dramatically when you climb some of the larger hills around the country.  This may prove a bit of a burden for some but there’s no need to rush anyway as there is lots to see and do on your travels – just remember to use the slow lanes and pull over for other traffic to let them pass!

Camping Our Way – Love New Zealand! camping_our_way_love_new_zealand

New Zealand is generally quite overrun with campervans and motorhomes and there are more problems being encountered with people not being so considerate to locals.  Please ensure you have read the Camping Our Way – Love NZ guide.

Links

Although the links below suggest which category each rental company are most likely to fall into, many of the rental companies will cover all categories.  This list has been presented as a starting point if you are feeling a bit overwhelmed by the choice!

Budget / Backpacker :Spaceships
Backpacker Camper Vans
Escape Rentals
Wicked Campers
Bedmobiles

Medium Range :
Jucy

Luxury :
Maui
Kea

Camping Our Way – Love New Zealand

Transfer Car – car and campervan relocations in New Zealand

 

 

I hope this guide has give you a good list of things to consider for your New Zealand campervan or motorhome hire.  Have you any experiences you’d like to pass onto others?  Please leave a comment below.

Categories
Backpacking Featured Living in New Zealand Transport

Guide to buying a used backpacking car or campervan in New Zealand

Buying a Backping car, New Zealand Although it may seem crazy for a lot of countries, many long term budget travellers and backpackers in New Zealand buy used cars or campervans (motorhomes or smaller) to get around. There’s a huge choice of vehicles imported from Japan, auto and manual, diesel and petrol, and cars and vans. Optional (but recommended) insurance is cheap and it opens up a lot of unique places to stay on route. Here’s the lowdown to help get the banger of your dreams. (grab a coffee – its a long article!)

Season to Purchase

Many backpackers are dumping cars in their droves at the end of summer or winter and hostel noticeboards are overflowing with motors. If you arrive at this time of year, just before the masses, you’ve a good chance of grabbing a bargain and relieving a traveller of their temporary home before they fly out the following day.

Buy Wisely : Backpacker Cart Mart or Online?

Auckland and Christchurch both have well established backpacker car marts. Although they are well established there are very mixed reports from them often at the extreme viewpoints in both directions. If you buy from them, buy as though you were buying privately with the same checks and don’t be naive (see the later section on background checks).

There are also loads of car markets either catering more towards backpackers, or more for locals.  There’s a list of these at the end of this article.

One big advantage of buying from a backpacker is that you’ll often get everything you need to hit the road included from stoves to seats and I’ve even seen snowboards and boogie boards being thrown into the sale.  Kitting out your car or van with stoves, cutlery, pots and pans could add quite a bit onto your budget (but if you need these things, head to The Warehouse!).

Costs

If you’re lucky you could pick up a car from a few hundred dollars if you arrive at the right time and get lucky, but usually something this cheap could easily cost you the same again or more in the long run.  For $1000-2000 you should be able to pick up a decent car, and $2000 upwards for a van.

Buyback Schemes

You could check out schemes like KiwiBuyBack if you don’t want the hassle of going and selecting a car, and you’ll get 50% of the purchase cost back when you sell it back to the them at the end of your trip.  We’ve not heard any reports about this service (but that doesn’t mean its bad!). If you pick your own car well using this guide it will probably cost you more, but you may save some time and have some come back if you buy a warranty.

Choose Wisely : Skoda or Subaru?

You could pick up a car here from a few hundred dollars, and a van from around $1500 up. If you’re lucky it will be well used, but not abused. If you can afford to splash out a bit more then get more picky, avoid shabby conversions consisting of a sheet of plywood and……well, some screws (although many backpackers are more than happy with this setup and they are the most common). Consider buying a Subaru or Toyota so you can resell to the local market as well as travellers when you’re leaving. Do what I did on my first visit : Choose wisely, buy from a backpacker and sell to a local, and you too could be flying around in a Subaru 4×4 for $2000, using it for 10 weeks, and selling for only $300 less. That’s like renting a car for $30 a week! On my current trip to New Zealand I was hanging around for longer and wanted a bit more luxury so I waited around for a professionally converted Toyota HiAce van with proper units.  Although the price would have been out of reach of most backpackers, I bought the van in Wellington from a local couple who were upgrading, it had low mileage and I’m confident I’ll get most of my money back when selling it in Auckland.

Custom Build

DCRAIG_20100725_186_web If you have had a look around for a camper van and can’t find what you’re looking for and have a bit more time you could consider buying a ‘blank’ van. This is a van that hasn’t been converted in any way such as well serviced ex-tradesmans van and converting yourself, or using a specialist company such as Vantastic Interiors in Auckland.  This may end up being a bit more expensive as you’ll have to buy all the stoves, cutlery etc on top of your costs, but you could end up with a van that’s much easier to sell, and in better condition.  This option is better if you are hanging around a city doing temp work and have time to play with, although some people have managed to convert vans using their downtimes at working at places like WOOF’ing farms which have had wood and equipment to use.  I’d only recommend this if you have an appropriate background.

Background Checks – Don’t Buy A Lemon

Some statistics say 1 in 3 cars in New Zealand have issues with them.  LemonCheck will do a background check on the vehicle for $25 with a registration plate or VIN number.
CarJam will give you a summary history online including irregularities with mileage readings etc and more comprehensive reports from $5 (ownership).

Both of the above services are worth a quick check and can prepare you with questions before you call the seller – e.g. ask them to explain why the odometer has decreased by 30,000km!

WOF, Rego and RUCs

A ‘WOF’ is a 6 monthly Warrant Of Fitness which you need to certify your vehicle as road legal.  A WOF will cost up to $50 plus any work that needs to be done to meet the criteria.

A ‘Rego’ is a registration fee (like road tax in other countries) and the cost varies for petrol and diesel.   Rego’s can be bought in 3 month increments.

’RUC’s are Road User Charges and are only applicable to diesel vehicles. The RUC is around $41 per 1000km over and above the pump prices, almost eliminating the cost saving of diesel (although currently it’s still around 10% cheaper). Buy a vehicle with a long WOF, Rego and RUCs in credit and it’ll save you splashing out over the first few months.

Location – Auckland, Christchurch or Wellington?

Many travellers arrive in Auckland and finish their road trip in Christchurch. Travellers tales say that backpacker cars and vans are generally cheaper in Christchurch, although an Auckland garage owner will of course tell you otherwise. If you arrive in Christchurch just before the end of winter you’re increasing your chances of grabbing that bargain banger.

Reselling your vehicle

When the time comes to leave New Zealand and have the choice, considering where you’ll sell your vehicle.  Many of the same considerations should be made as when you’re buying the vehicle but with some of them reversed.  As an example, if you try to sell at the end of winter in Christchurch you’ll be selling with the rest of the people who have spent a winter season here, and there won’t be many people arriving as most travellers will arrive in Auckland.  The old trade off of supply and demand will be there so you may only get rock bottom prices for you vehicle.  Of course if you follow the advice above you’ll have a better chance of advertising on Trademe etc and sell to locals, especially if you have bought a vehicle that’s in better condition, or a brand like Subaru.

Many people make the mistake of selling at the last minute and hanging around to try and get the best price, or dumping it quickly for peanuts.  This is when splashing out a few hundred extra bucks could make all the difference.  Be realistic about your selling price – you’d rather have 10 people calling you than them thinking it’s overpriced.  Of course if you want to you could buy a banger then end up hanging around Auckland for weeks trying to sell it if that’s what you want.

Insurance

It’s true what you hear on the grapevine – car insurance is optional in New Zealand, but you’d be a bit crazy to scrimp on the cost of this.  There’s a relatively high proportion of uninsured drivers in New Zealand and if you have an accident you could loose all your funds invested in your transport.  The roads here can be a bit different as well and there’s a few strange driving regulations that may catch you out.  You can call around the main insurance companies, but the quickest and easiest way is to check out BBH Insurance which have a tailored policy and can be taken out online.  BBH is the same crowd that has the hostel network so they know what people need and it’s cheap and easy.

Notification Of Sale or Purchase

You must inform the New Zealand Transport Agency about your new purchase within 7 days.  Note that there is very little paperwork for car ownership, which is why the vehicle checks are quite important.  You should complete a form which is available from the New Zealand Post offices with the seller and new owner details, and they will send it off on your behalf.

Where to buy : Car Markets and Online

If you’ve read this far you must be serious and considering purchasing a vehicle for your trip.  Although there are no specific garages mentioned below, as you’d expect there are many around.  Unfortunately many of the garages selling cars are on the outskirts of the big cities making them harder to get to without transport – unless of course you’re going to buy a new Mercedes Benz.  Here’s a good selection of places to start looking :

Hostels

Hostel noticeboards will give you the best selection of used backpackers cars but beware – they may have travelled around New Zealand several times with limited maintenance so ask all the right questions.  Keep looking at them constantly as good ones will be snapped up within hours.  If you stay at a quieter hostel pop over to the big ones like Base and YHA as that’s where most people will advertise.  Some hostels will have specific folders for vehicles for sale rather than place them on a noticeboard.

Nationwide :

Backpacker Board Car Sales allows backpackers to list their cars and vans for sale but you’ll have to keep an eye on it as there’s no automatic alerts available. A new site to us is Backpack Car which had a variety of cars and vans listed when we looked.

Auckland :

  1. DCRAIG_20100725_184_web Backpacker Car Market Victoria Street – just down from the playing fields in an small open air car park across from Victoria Park Market (corner of Hasley St / Gaunt St).  On Saturday morning, this market is geared towards backpackers.  On site inspection services are available.  Get here on Saturday early to get the first viewings and before people try taking their car to Ellerslie the following day.
  2. Ellerslie car mart – harder to get to at Ellerslie race course in SE Auckland.  On every Sunday and geared more towards locals but will have something for everyone. Arrive early from 8am to get the first look as by late morning it will die down and all the good ones will be gone.  On site inspection services available for around $140.
  3. Turners Auctions – You’ll be sharing the viewing with dealers at this one but its still possible to pick something up.  Check online for reports and what stock is coming up.
  4. Backpacker cart market – Just off ‘k-road’.  Very mixed reports on the grapevine but some people love it.  Inspection services available but you may be better off getting an independent check performed.

Christchurch :

  1. Christchurch Car Market – tailored for backpackers and in a central location.  You can also see some cars they have for sale on their site.
  2. Turners Auctions – as above as they have a site in Christchurch as well.
  3. Backpacker Car Market – as above, operated by the same people.

Wellington :

You’re not doing yourself any favours by looking for a car here as there isn’t really a backpacker market for vehicles as such – most people will buy a car in Auckland or Christchurch.  You may get lucky as you’ll still see cars and vans advertised in hostels but you may have to look in the same places as locals.  Some locals park cars for sale beside the pier up from the airport roundabout on Evans Bay – you could try looking there at the weekend if you can get there (#2 bus gets you close and its a nice place for a stroll).  Turners have auctions sites on the outskirts of Wellington.

Online :

This is one of the best places to look for a bigger range and better quality but you will still see cars and camper vans advertised with all gear required for your trip around New Zealand (which could save you a fortune kitting yours out!).

  1. TradeMe – every kiwi’s favourite site.  EBay doesn’t get a look in in New Zealand! Set up alerts if you know what make and model you are looking for and you’ll be emailed as soon as they are advertised.  Some backpackers will also advertise here as well as on noticeboards.
  2. Autotrader  – as it says in the title!  Allows you to set up email alerts.
  3. Sella – classified listings in New Zealand

Links

Backpacker Board Car Sales
Backpack Car – ads for buyers and sellers
TradeMe – New Zealands favourite website
Ellserlie Car Fair, Auckland
Backpacker Car Market – Auckland and Christchurch
Christchurch Car Market
Sella – online ads site
Autotrader
Vantastic Interiors
Turners Auctions
KiwiBuyBack – 50% of your car purchase price back at the end of your trip
BBH Insurance
AA Car Inspections
CarJam – online car history
LemonCheck – online car history
New Zealand Land Transport Agency

We really hope this has given you a comprehensive guide of how to go about looking for your backpacking car or campervan when you arrive in New Zealand.  If you’ve read this far,  it may seem daunting as there is a massive list above but the hostel noticeboards, auctions and Trademe are the best resources – the rest is just to prepare you and help you get the majority of your money back when it’s time to resell.  If you are on the ball and check regularly you’ll get some transport sorted in no time.

If you like this article, or have any further additions that should be made above, please let us know via the comments below.  If you’ve decided buying a car is too much effort, it’s not really but you may want to check out our article on what you need to know about hiring a campervan in New Zealand.

Categories
Backpacking Living in New Zealand

Applying for an IRD (tax number) in New Zealand

Before you start working and getting paid in New Zealand you’ll need to get yourself a tax reference number which is called an IRD number.  Your tax number is issued by the Inland Revenue and is easy to get, assuming you already have a working holiday visa, or other visa that allows you to work.  This is the third in the series of Getting Started in New Zealand.

If you go to New Zealand Post to set up your bank account or anything else you can get, complete and submit an IRD (tax number) at the same time.  The forms are also available from the Inland Revenue (link below).  Before you complete the forms you will need to have the following documents (or their equivalent) :

  • Passport with relevant working visa, and supporting documentation (e.g. residency documentation)
  • Drivers License or original offer of employment

The easiest way to do this is to go to an office of the New Zealand Post as they will check your documentation and send the application off.

It will take around 7-10 days to get your IRD number and a letter will be sent out to the address you provided.  If you have just arrived in New Zealand and are in a hurry, or have moved on (e.g. from a hostel) you can always call them up to see if your number is available earlier.

If you haven’t read them already, you should read our articles about How to Set up Your Bank Account in New Zealand, and Which is The Best Prepaid SIM card for Your Mobile Phone in New Zealand.

Links

IRD Number Applications – New Zealand Inland Revenue

Categories
Backpacking Emigrating Featured Living in New Zealand

Opening a bank account in New Zealand

You’ve arrived off the plane as a backpacker with your working holiday visa, ready for your gap year, or you’ve moved over here as a resident and you need a bank account.  So how hard is it to set up a bank account in New Zealand?  The good news is it’s very easy, and this article will tell you what you need.

There are three things most people need to do as soon as possible after landing in New Zealand :

  • Set up your bank account
  • Get your IRD number
  • Get a SIM card for your mobile phone

It is best to set up your bank account as soon as you can after arriving.  It can take around a week for your bank cards to get sent out so you’d be better starting the process on day one then kick back and explore whilst waiting for your cards.  You will need the following items before setting up your bank account :

  1. Proof of address in New Zealand
  2. Passport and Visa
  3. Another form of ID such as home driving licence or bank card (ideally)
  4. Some cash to deposit (some banks ask you to deposit around $50 to open it)

You don’t generally need to provide a whole financial history like some other western countries.  The first thing you need to do is to get a proof of address document.  Most backpacker hostels will give you a letter confirming where you are staying particularly if it is one of the larger chains like Base.  This proof of address, along with your passport (and accompanying visa) and ideally some other form of ID like a bank card from your home country is pretty much all you need.  If you think you’ll move address before your cards arrive, check that your mail will be held or forwarded.  Depending where you are staying you may need both a physical address and a mailing address e.g. if your accommodation uses a postal box for their mail.

Many banks will ask you to deposit a small amount in your new account when opening it, so you should arrive with some cash in hand.

Main Banks in New Zealand

There are a few main banks in New Zealand, namely Westpac, ANZ, National Bank, BNZ (Bank of New Zealand), TSB and KiwiBank.  KiwiBank is the only one that is truly Kiwi owned so you may get some more smiles from the locals when you present one of their cards for payment.   All banks offer a number of accounts, but only a few are ‘fee free’ which suits most backpackers on a gap year, or travellers on a long term break.  If you are emigrating over here your requirements may be a bit different so you’ll have to do a bit more research.  Bear in mind that we are not financial advisors so the account you select is up to you – this article is just an overview to say it’s not a big deal to be worrying about.

Fee Free Accounts

In October 2010 the only ones we remember that were totally ‘fee free’ were BNZ and KiwiBank.  The good thing about KiwiBank is that they are owned by the same crowd as New Zealand Post so you’ll be able to perform transactions in every town that has a post office which can be a great help if you are travelling around.  If you are applying for your IRD number from Inland Revenue you can also do this at the same place you open your account, so it makes things a bit easier.

Note that although we use the term ‘fee free’ you’ll always find some charges that relate to your account from going overdrawn etc etc.  One notable charge that you may not be used to, particularly if you are arriving from the UK, is that if you withdraw cash from a different bank’s ATM or cash machine you may be charged a fee of up to a few dollars.  Due to this, if you’re on the move it pays to select which bank you open an account with carefully.  If you use KiwiBank you’ll also find that if you use telephone banking more than a few times a month you may get charged for it.

EFTPOS / Visa Debit

EFTPOS (Electronic Funds Transfer Point of Sale) is the most common method of paying for goods in New Zealand – so much so you may start to think it’s almost a cashless society!  You can pay using an EFTPOS for most goods and there’s not usually a restriction on lower limits so you can use your card just to buy a bottle of milk from the dairy.  Some outlets may give you ‘cash out’ at time of purchase to save you finding an ATM – ask them before they charge your card.  Getting cash out can be handy if you are in smaller places with less cash machines.

Note that some banks are starting to offer a Visa Debit enabled card which does EFTPOS as well.  This is a but more usable as you can make purchases online using one of these instead of using your home bank or credit card, and can use them abroad during that little side trip to the Pacific Islands you have planned!

Online / Internet Banking

Most banks in New Zealand have a comprehensive online banking solution available.  If you have any specific requirements check what the bank is offering you.

International Money Transfers

If you are transferring money from overseas to kick start your funds, ensure you ask for the correct details you need to be able to transfer cash.  This process can be really easy – as an example it only took 3 days to transfer cash from the UK to New Zealand when we set up our bank account so you can go begging to your parents as soon as you get your bank number and if you’re lucky you’ll have some entertainment money by the weekend!

Armed with the above information you’ve got all you need to be able to set up your bank account in New Zealand.  If you are travelling with visa organisations you may be able to get one set up in advance, but it’s so easy it’s not a big deal.  Larger hostels like Base will be able to give you some more information on arrival as to what the current deals are as they have job and information desks in house in the larger cities.  Now that you know what you need to set up your New Zealand bank account, have a read of our article about the Best Prepaid mobile SIM card for New Zealand.

If you have any information to add to this, or know of any top tips we’ve left out, please let us know using the comments below.

Categories
Backpacking Featured Tours Transport

Backpacker Bus Tours of New Zealand

Bus tours are one of the most popular methods of travelling around New Zealand for backpackers, longer term and budget travellers.  The most popular options are Kiwi Experience, Magic Bus, Stray Travel, and the public transport network, but which is most suitable for you?

Travel Passes

Most of the transport options below will offer some kind of ‘hop on, hop off’ comprehensive tour of New Zealand, or a more tailored trip for a specific area of New Zealand.  Costs will vary enormously depending on how far you travel, and more specifically what time of year.  Travelling off season can give you some huge savings.  If you are longer tours you often don’t have to specificy specific dates, and you can book on each leg the day before you want to travel depending on availability.

Kiwi Experience

Kiwi Experience Bus Tours, New ZealandKiwi Experience are one of the better known backpacker tour buses……but not always for the right reasons.  Kiwi Experience travel in large groups, in large buses and can dominate a destination or accommodation venue they stop over in.  Ideal for younger backpackers who want the party crowd.

Kiwi Experience also have operations in Fiji so you can combine a tour taking you there as well 🙂

Magic Travellers Network (Magic Bus)

Magic Travellers Network, Magic Bus, New Zealand Magic buses also tend to be large coaches but they sell themselves on having less enforced overnight stays, and a bigger network of destinations with daily departures year round.  Passes include options with a ‘coach and jet pass’ so you can get a domestic flight to your start location – e.g. if you were starting in Auckland and finishing the coach tour in Christchurch.

Stray

backpacking new zealand stray travel

Stray pride themselves on providing active tours, using smaller buses to take you that little but further off the beaten track (although they still use coaches on some routes!).  Unique stopping points are Raglan (surfing), HaHei beach (hot water beach), Stewart Island, bone carving in Barrytown, a stop off in National Park, and a ‘more authentic than the rest’ overnight Maori experience.  All the places mentioned above are places that many wish to visit, but that are often missed out due to being slightly out of the way – a great reason to pick Stray I would say.  With Stray you are still going to get the budget experience, but will be able to stay at some unique locations that many travellers would only access if they had their own transport, or paid for an add on to another tour.

Stray use a variety of accommodation from the main hostel networks as well as wilderness lodges and cabins.  Their tours are active and involve walking and wildlife so if that’s not your thing…..well, if that’s not your thing why are you coming to New Zealand 😉

With Stray Travel you are more likely to get a more mixed crowd, have adventures off the beaten track, and still have the fun.  According to their website they have an extremely high rate of referrals on their tour, which must be a good thing.

Naked Bus / Naked Passport

Naked Bus provides budget individual bus trips around New Zealand, or you can look at their Naked Passport passes to offer bigger trips, and a pass with unlimited travel for a year for an amazing $597!  Naked Passport can be described as a ‘low cost national bus pass’ which offers excellent value and can take you round the country.  Although Naked probably couldn’t be described as a full holiday company like some of the others mentioned, you can still book side tours (‘add-ons’) and discount ferry travel through them, and they’ll take you to almost everywhere you’ll want to go.  Note that any side trips should be booked at the same time as booking your passport to get any discounts but there are always people willing to take you places when you arrive at your destination in New Zealand!  If you don’t buy an unlimited pass note that Auckland to Hamilton or Auckland to Wellington are both classed as ‘one trip’ so you’d get more value for money if you used this for longer trips.  If you purchase an unlimited pass you can only travel between two destinations directly once in each direction, but this isn’t a big restriction as you can repeat the journey if you break it up into smaller segments.

Passes are sold going from 5 to 30 trips in 5 trip increments, or you can go the whole hog and use them as often as you like for $597.  This must be one of the cheapest travel passes around and probably beats public transport.  Sometimes you’ll get bargain $1 fares from their website.

We like Naked Passport for people who want to travel independently and make up their own holiday.

Public Buses

intercity-logo-new-zealandOf course you could still use the more standard bus networks to get around New Zealand like Intercity Coachlines as it is still comprehensive and covers all the ‘big ticket’ areas.  There are other key companies around such as Tranzit that you can use for bus tours as well but you  won’t get the same ‘travelling’ experience as the more upbeat budget tranzit-logo-new-zealandtours above.  At the end of the day it all comes down to what experience you want, and how much you want to have planned for you or not.  Although all the big companies above will try to get you on tours and into hostels you are still free to use most of them just as a means of transport, but you won’t be getting the most out of them that way.

Things to watch out for

Nowadays many of you are in a rush and want to cram in as much as you can in a short space of time.  Despite everyone telling you to travel slow and take in the experience, you just can’t help yourself wanting to go everywhere can you?  Who knows when you’ll be back to New Zealand right?

If this sounds like you, watch that the travel network you go doesn’t restrict you to enforced stopovers in places you don’t really want to stay at.  Whats a forced stopover?  If you’re bus travels a route you may end up having to stay the night and some of the following day in a destination, even though your priority is to get to the next place.

Some tours will start in Auckland and finish in Christchurch so you’ll have to add in a flight to get you back unless you have planned your international flights that way.  Stray’s full experience will allow you to start and and end your trip from any point on the circuit (e.g you can start and stop in Queenstown).

Luckily all the websites linked to below are really comprehensive so check out the most suitable passes for you.

Costs

Costs of these tours vary a great deal so you will need to check out the latest prices online and check for any offers.  If you travel off season you can get some really good deals such as from $399 for a North to South pass*, $489 for Kiwi Experience 20 day North / South Island combo**, $235 for a North Island 3 day tour***, to around $1800 for the full tour experience in high season.

Many of the passes will not include accommodation so you may still need to be a member of YHA, BBH or another network to get the most benefit.

Alternatives

The travel networks above are the tried and tested backpacker and budget travel options however this is New Zealand, the home of adventure tourism so there are many other choices depending on your style of travel.  Haka Tours is one example of more specialist company catering for both public and private groups and you can choose a higher level of tour, but the costs go up correspondingly to a maximum price of over $3500 for a month’s trip.

External Links

Stray Travel (recommended)
Naked Bus / Naked Passport (recommended)
Kiwi Experience
Magic Travellers Network
Intercity Coachlines
Tranzit

* – Magic Bus special deal, 11 days, September 2010
**- Kiwi Experience Special Deal cardholder price (Standard price $1143), 20 days minimum, September 2010
*** – Magic Bus Auckland to Wellington, 3 days minimum, September 2010

Categories
Backpacking Costs Living in New Zealand

Typical Costs in New Zealand

Universal Currency ConverterTypical costs for New Zealand are not too different from other ‘western’ countries – the largest differentiator to your home country will be the exchange rate.  As this was typed the New Zealand dollar is quite strong which means a trip for the typical European or American visitor can be a bit more than anticipated.  Here’s some sample costs for typical everyday goods :

Milk – 2 litres – $5.50
Coffee – $3-4
Cinema ticket : $15  (There’s sometimes deals on a Monday or before 6pm in cities)
Beer in bar : $6
Inter Island Ferry Ticket : From $55 foot passenger, $150 per car – more for vans etc (one way prices)
Meal : $10 budget takeaway (but decent – e.g. Malaysian, Thai, Curry) to $$$ for full blown venue
Car Hire : From $30 per day
Campervan hire : From $30 per day off season, typical $80 high season
Room rent in Wellington : from $130 a week to $$$
Diesel – 1 litre : $1.18  (NB : you have to add the cost of Road User Charges – See Transport category)
Petrol – 1 litre : $1.88

NB : As this was typed (October 2010) one New Zealand Dollar was worth about :
75 cents US (so add just less than a third to get your USD price)
47 pence UK (so divide by 2 to get your UK price)
55 cents Euro (so divide by 2 and add a bit to get your Euro price)

See the Universal Currency Converter for the latest rates : Universal Currency Converter