Working Holiday In New Zealand

Huka Pak

2010-01-30T19:37:00.005+08:00

When the main Kiwi season slowed down for Seeka Oakside My Malaysian friends and I went on an immediate search for the next job available. We got news that another packhouse situated in Mount Maunganui would be hiring.

We set out the next morning and applied for a job there. We were actually too late as all positions were already filled up!! But we were very fortunate to get a job in the packhouse on the very same day anyways. The packhouse i'm talking about is called Huka Pak.

Located at : Te Awanui Huka Pak 221 Totara St, Mt Maunganui, New Zealand

Telephone : +64 7 575 9812

Fax :+64 7 575 9805

Email : employment@hukapak.co.nz

Their main Kiwi season run from April to end of June and the repacking season runs from June to September/October. The Avocado season (Yes, they pack avocados as well) run from October to December.

This is one of the good paying packhouses, not that any other of them are bad... They have good and friendly working environment, friendly co-workers, a lot of French Polynesians (the Vanuatus, Tongas, Fijians etc), South Americans, Punjabs, Indians, Malaysians, and other nationalities apart from the locals working there as well. Here is where I actually met my Husband :))

If you like football, you won't miss out on it here as i'm sure many South American, Malaysian, Germans, French and Vanuatu friends would regularly organize a friendly match after working hours or over the weekend.

Be prepared to learn other languages, other cultures and traditions. What a great way to work, learn and have fun!

Huka Pak pay rates:
Hourly: $12.95 an hour
Bonus: $ 0.50 an hour if employee have fulfilled all shifts and clock in and out on time
Meals : Free light dinner meals are provided by the cafeteria for those working extra shifts or overtime

*** Do take note that affective April 2010, the New Zealand Government have revised the minimum pay rate for all types of work in New Zealand from $12.95 to $15.00 an hour. Great News huh!!??

Our Vanuatu and Tonga friends work alongside as employees hired directly by the company under contract. Therefore, when it comes to the of their contracts, the packhouse would normally throw a shout (a Bbq or a luncheon party) as a token of appreciation. They are really friendly and really nice people. Excellent footballers with too :)

When October came, it was time to say goodbye to some, exchange contacts with many and make plans of travels with others.

Kia Ora!

2010-01-30T17:59:00.009+08:00

KIA ORA, literally means Good Health... In other words, this is what the Maoris say when they greet each other.

I have never met such friendly people other than in New Zealand. No offense of course! There are friendly people everywhere but it just isn't the same as it is in New Zealand. People are ready to assist, always friendly and always almost never judge you for what and who you are.

The Maoris are the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand and their culture remains ever strong until today. I went to a Maori Cultural show organized by one of the backpackers in Maketu with some friends and charged a reasonably priced ticket of Nz$10 per entry.

This ticket buys us a cultural show, some insights to Maori History, Legends and of course, traditionally prepared Hangi.

The HAKA are not only performed before war , nor are they only performed by men. There are a few different types of Haka and they can also be performed by women, others by mixed groups, and some even much simpler ones by children. The War haka, also known as peruperu, were initially performed by warriors before a battle begins , with the reasons of intimidating the enemies.

In present times, haka acts as a tradition to welcome ceremonies for visitors or foreign friends of any kind, serving to impart a sense of the importance of the occasion.

The population of New Zealand is an estimated 4.3 millions people which is mostly scattered around the north island which consists of Maori and the Pākehā. Pākehā are of those of European decent but some Maoris use it to distinguish those who are not Maori. The official language of New Zealand is the Maori Language but English is spoken 98% of the time.

As for the official sports... I need not say. Everyone knows the ALL BLACKS!!! :)

Viajar a Nueva Zelanda

2010-01-12T15:05:00.016+08:00

Hacer este viaje a ese maravilloso país es toda una aventura..desde el momento que llegas al aeropuerto de Auckland...pero en fin..eso se lo dejo cuando lleguen y lo vivan por ustedes mismos.

Lo mio es darle información necesaria para que no lleguen tan perdido como yo...

En el aeropuerto hay buses azules que cada 15 minutos van al centro de Auckland, estos tienen un costo de $16NZD. si tienes dudas....http://www.airbus.co.nz/home/

Una vez estando en el centro de Auckland muchos cometen el error de ir a Backpackers que son

carisimos, yo les recomiendo ir al Choice Plaza, 10 Wellesley Street,

que no es caro y esta en centro de la ciudad, es ese lugar trabaja Valeria Loyer, una chilena que te puede ayudar en lo que sea posible, como por ejemplo, abrir una cuenta bancaria, conseguir el famoso IRD, y digo famoso por que junto con tu pasaporte son los documentos mas importante que debes cuidar.

La cuenta bancaria es muy importante, por que toda transaccion de dinero que hagas, lo haces con tu tarjeta incluso si compras un encendedor, lo pagas con tarjeta...ademas tu salario lo depositan semanalmente en tu cuenta....no existe el pago persona a persona en efectivo!!!!

El IRD es un numero que te pide el empleador al momento de contratarte, esto es para el pago de impuestos, te descuentan segun lo que ganas....sin este numero ellos no te pagaran!!!!!

Lo que refiere al cambio de usd$ a nzd$ no es conveniente cambiar en el aeropuerto por que el cambio es malo y aveces te cobran comision...en Queen Street , no se especificamente el numero,hay una casa de cambio que es buenisima y no te cobran intereses..pregunta a VALERIA donde es ese lugar..ella sabe..

OK, tienes cuenta bancaria, numero IRD....estas listo para el trabajo!!!!!!

Auckland es una cuidad carisima, por ende casi todos emprenden el viaje a Tauranga o Mount Maunganui como primer destino.

Mi experiencia.

Estuve un mes en Auckland y gaste plata como loco, busque trabajo, pero todos eran para trabajar 3 o 6 horas al dia y tres veces por semana o solo partime en restaurantes, entonces decidí buscar trabajo de temporero, y luego por un dato de trabajo me dio Valeria, me fui a Tauranga.

En tauranga me estaba esperando este tipo que se llama MAGDIEL.

El me ayudo bastante a lo que se refiere trabajo, alojamiento y transporte, con el y un grupo de chilenos y argentinos trabajamos en el Picking de Kiwis y luego en el Prunning de Kiwis.

NOTA: por favor no trabajen con magdiel, por que es el chileno mas chanta que he conocido, en el picking de kiwi estuvo todo bien, pero con el prunning nos cago con plata y nunca pago el impuesto de la plata que nos descontaba....si lo llegan a conocer, le contara su historia de vida que los va hacer llorar...pero no le crean, es todo mentira!!!!!

Terminada la temporada de picking de kiwis es recomendable trabajar en los Packhouse como re-packing. Packhouse son lugares en donde se selecciona y se embala la fruta para exportacion. y si no quieres trabajar en el picking, busca trabajo directamente en el packhouse, esto tienes que hacerlo a partir de mediados de abril...

Toda la informacion sobre packhouse lo describe Michelle, ella tiene bastante experiencia en eso, cualquier duda posteen en el blog.

Continuando con mi historia.....

finalizado el picking de kiwis, trabaje en el prunning...eso fue malisimo, no ganas plata, te recagas de frio por que es en invierno y te mojas hasta la ropa interior...bueno, gracias a dios salio un pituto en un packhouse que se llama HUKA PACK..y eso me salvo del invierno...luego, terminada la temporada existen diversos tipos de trabajo relacionado con el kiwi..que a la final son trabajos solo para mantenerse (comida,arriendo y carrete, no ahorro).

apesar de todo esto..no es tan malo..por que si sabes administrar tu dinero desde el momento que llegas a New Zealand, puedes por ejemplo comprarte un buen auto, en mi caso, en Chile nunca tuve auto, ni siquiera tenia licencia de conducir, pero en NZ, el pais donde todo es posible...me compre 2 autos, asi es...el primero fue un Mitsubishi Libero del 96 y luego por fallas de aceite lo vendi y a la semana siguiente me compre un Honda Odyssey del 96, y solo por 1500 dolares, que en plata chilena son como 550 lucas.

para hacer corta esta historia, les cuento que para el verano me fui a la isla sur a trabajar en el cherry o guinda, luego volvi a la isla norte, especificamente a Hasting y en ese lugar trabaje en una viña durante el dia y por la noche en Wattie's, una fabrica de alimentos enlatados (salsa de tomates,duraznos,peras,ketchup...)

En mayo del 2009 regrese a Chile con Michelle, luego en junio volvimos a NZ a visitar algunos amigos por una semana, despues tomamos un vuelo a Australia solo por 2 dias y finalmente llegamos a nuestro destino final...Malaysia..que es donde actualmente estoy viviendo..

Amigos..espero que este blog les sirva un poco para orientarse y hacerce la idea mas o menos de como es NZ....he leido en algunos foros que muchos dicen que es dificil encontrar trabajo, que es todo es una mierda y otras tonteras...en mi opinion y por que lo vi personalmente, esas personas, hombres y mujeres van a NZ solo por que creen que es COOL!!!! y no le han trabajado un dia a nadie (tipicos hijitos de papá, los pulmones virgenes) por eso estan dificil para ellos..

Pero tambien estan aquellos que van por:

- Trabajar harto, juntar plata y volver a chile para terminar de financiar los estudios.

- Aprender o mejorar el idioma Ingles.

- Carretiar o fiestas y buscar pareja....de esos hay muchos..jajajajaja

- Pasear, conocerlo todo y recorrer el pais de punta a punta

- Los que ahorran y luego van de vacaciones a Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia e incluso algunos llegan hasta China.

- Y los que hacen de todo un poco y regresan a su país felices y con una linda experiencia de vida.

Seeka Oaskside

2010-01-03T21:29:00.005+08:00

Address: 242 Rangiuru Road, Te Puke
Main Season: March to June/July (Depending on the season)
Repacking: June/July to October
Best Time To Apply: Between March & April
Best WAY to Apply: Walk In

We were unable to provide a phone number but the best time to walk into the employment office over there for a job would be between March and April... Preferably before April.

And if you are not called up in a week, keep going over to ask if you get the job. They receive hundreds of applications every week. You've got a tough competition so you need to always follow up.

Also, Apply in other nearby packhouses too! That will increase your chances in getting jobs!

Here are some pictures taken during the time we were working in the packhouse.

Strapping Packed Kiwis onto a Pallet

Brazilian Strapper

Malaysians, Brazilians & Maoris having Their Smoko Breaks Together in The Green Shed

The Vanuatu ladies having their Coffee on Smoko Breaks

Ladies working on the packing line

Our Brazilian Stacker with the ladies at work

Our kiwi graders... The one in purple is actually my mom :)

More Malaysian kiwi Graders

And Me, the Tally Clerk

The Vanuatu Ladies!! Our Final Shout Out Gathering with the Vanuatus Before leaving for their French Polynesian Island to be united with their loved ones...

The Tally Clerks of Seeka Oakside year 2008!!

Good Friends we Made Along The Way :))

Cheers!

Getting right down to Business!

2010-01-03T15:54:00.003+08:00

When I left for new Zealand, I left without a Working Holiday Visa (WHV). I arrived in Auckland as a visitor and left the next day for Te Puke on the Intercity coach (tickets for intercity coach rides are sold at the Sky City Tower or just around the corner, where the bus leaves from).

I applied for a Seasonal Work permit that allowed me to work for Four Months for any seasonal work employment. When the four months ran out, I have to either leave the country or apply for another type of visa that is available for me. I applied the WHV after that.

When I arrived in Te Puke, being the Malaysian that I am, I went straight to one of the many packhouses in town called Seeka Oakside and was to start work the next day. I then started as a Kiwi Fruit Packer, moved up to a Grader, and then to a Tally Clerk in the packhouse.

Here are the responsibilities and pay rates when I was working there:

Bin Dump Operator: Nz$13 an hour

Grader: Nz$12.50 an hour

Packer: Nz$12 an hour

Stacker: Nz$12 an hour

Strapper: Nz$13 an hour

Tally Clerk: Nz$12.75 an hour

Forklift Driver: Nz$15 an hour (Requires special license)

Tray Liners: Nz$12 an hour

Taxes

The rates above are before tax deductions. Tax deductions varies according to how much you receive per week. The more money you get the more the tax deductions are. Anyone that is in search for a job in New Zealand has to register themselves at the Inland Revenue (IRD). You must register for an IRD number, this can be done at the community centres or by going to the IRD centres nearby. There's always one in every town and city. Or you can download the form from Here. It is important that you have an IRD number so that your employer can deduct relevant taxes off your income. you will be able to claim back your taxes once you are about to leave the country.

Applying Online

2010-01-02T19:19:00.003+08:00

The New Zealand Working Holiday Visa program can be obtained online by creating an account, and filling in an online form from there. You can get there by Clicking Here.

But before you do that, you must understand the requirements for one to obtain a Working Holiday Visa (WHV).

You must have a passport that is valid for at least three months after your planned departure from New Zealand
You Must be between the age of 18 and 30 years old. Any younger or older than that you's just have to wait or try for a different visa.
Not bring children with you on the trip. It's a big No NO.
Have a return ticket from your country to New Zealand and back.... OR Have sufficient funds to purchase the return flight tickets and have at least NZ$2,250.00 to Nz$5000.00 (depending on the working holiday agreement between your country and New Zealand) available funds to support your living cost while you are there.
Meet their health and character requirements.
To be going over to New Zealand with Work & Study being a secondary intentions for your visit.
Had not been approved for the same visa or permit before.

However, not all nationalities are entitled to this visa. Listed below are the countries eligible or click on the link for direct access:

One you have clicked on the respective link above, read through the requirements and after you have done so, and you would like to make an online registration, scroll down to the end of the page and click on the link like shown below.

Once you have done so, you may create an online suitcase to manage your applications and keep track of your applications. Just follow the steps in the website. Everything you need to know about applying for the visa is there.

Also, please bear in mind that all visas for the countries listed above are not all alike. For example:

Malaysian Holiday Maker:

The WHV for Malaysians entitles applicants to a Six Months visa, renewable for another 3 months totaling in 9 months altogether. If a Malaysian holiday maker leaves the country before the end expiry of the visa, he/she will not be able to enter into New Zealand on the same visa for it will then be forfeited. You also need at least NZ$2,250.00 on top of return flight tickets upon applying for the visa.

Chilena Holiday Maker:

The WHV for Chilenas entitles applicant to a One Year visa, renewable for another 3 months totaling in One Year and 3 Months. A Chilena holiday maker has a multiple entry visa which entitles he/she may leave the country and return any number of times on the same visa. You also need at least NZ$4,200.00 on top of return flight tickets upon applying for the visa.

Where do we begin...

2010-01-02T17:10:00.001+08:00

We've done it and Damn, Do we Miss It!!!

(Also Available in Spanish under the En Espanol label)

Here, you may find a lot of interesting facts or information on jobs, trips taken and the different cultures shared among different nationalities while being on a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa.

You may find yourself reading through two (perhaps even more) life journeys to New Zealand, crossing each other's path and doing the unexpectated!

The Authors:
Miguel Angel Cartes Alfaro of Santiago de Chile

And

Michelle Valentina Yong of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

This blog is really new so we will update and put in more information along the way.

Cheers!