IEP Work New Zealand

IEP New Zealand provide great support and hints and great advice for preparation before you arrive into the country, especially if it's the first time you spend a long time abroad. If you are an experienced traveller who doesn't mind a little bit of adventure in figuring out things, then it's not necessary to go for IEP and their support; but if you want a bit more of peace of mind (and if you want to save a bit of time), go for it as their staff is friendly and offers a wide array of useful services.

Well New Zealand is amazing ! And the Kiwis ? They are awesome. I knew before I arrived that the country was incredibly beautiful, scenic and wild. Yes, it is true. But the people, the Kiwis, are great, as great as the Mount Cook. They are so nice and friendly. I will always remember how easily I traveled and I hitchhiked in this country. I never tried hitchhiking before (too risky in Europe and people will think you are a hobo) but someone told me and convinced me. It is so easy and safe in New Zealand. The Kiwis are friendly and helpful and make your travel amazing. My travel was amazing, because of the landscape, and because of them. New Zealand has so much to give and to share, this country will remain in my mind.

It was a rainy and cloudy day. I put my boots and jacket on and planned to look for a job. But when I saw the ocean I changed my mind and chose to walk to the famous mountain. The artist I have met a day before said to me the mountain was not as far as it seems to be. I can walk to there. It will take me just 2 hours. I think that is ok if you have great landscape to see.
So I took my map started to walk straight to the mountain. While I walked through a village it started to get warmer, the sun was shining, the clouds were disappearing more and more and I was sweating more and more. I took off as much as I could but my feet were burning as hell in these boots. I got really really tired after 20 minutes, the hostel where I slept was not too far to go back but I did not want to give up. So I walked further, did not know where I was, had no water left, my mind is on standby while the sun is walking just next to me.
After a while, I do not know what time it was and how much time had passed, a car stopped next to me.
"Hi", said the woman in the car. "I saw you an hour ago over there and now you're here... I guess you need a ride to the mountain?!"
"Yes", I whispered, because my mouth was to dry.
I jumped in and we talked about our family. Sometimes some thoughts like "Are you crazy? What are you doing in a stranger's car? this woman could be your murderer or worse someone who is going to sell you!! LEAVE THAT CAR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.!!"
But my instincts said that this woman next to me is just doing me favor. So it was. I arrived ten minutes later at the mountain.
I climbed up and had the most beautiful view I will probably ever get in my life. I started to cry. Not because of the view but of women. The first time I saw that someone is doing a favor for someone else because - yeah, just because.
The hope that there is something like humanity, trust and charity is not dashed. Nature is not dashed.

I returned back for a longer backpacker experience. I traveled solo, thou it was daunting and scary. I met some lovely friends along the way from different countries. I worked in a variety of jobs and I gained new skills. I miss NZ lifestyle, it is soooo laid back. Working hard pays off when you reap the rewards of the social lifestyle. If you want to a limo to take you to do skydiving, I highly recommend Taupo Skydive (was the pink plane). I conquered my fear of heights and jumped out at 12,000ft :D And I wanted to do it all over again. Napier is a beautiful place, so relaxing and chilled back. Plus it is art deco :) I spent my summer months there twice during farm work. Arthur's Pass, Hanmer Springs and the Hobbiton is defo worth a visit.

My girlfriend and I had an amazing and unique experience living on the south island and I managed to get a job delivering mail on a motorcycle which was fantastic!

I missed NZ the moment we left and still do to this day. Definitely will be going back to visit in the future.

I joked about getting the 'job of my dreams' at Hobbiton Movie Set before I left home. My friends laughed it off, as I do have quite a nerdy streak. But, low and behold, I saw jobs advertised through the IEP facebook page and 11 months later it feels good to have, quite literally, lived the dream, had the support to sort out all of the daunting tax/bank details that my jet lagged brain struggled with, and have a base to check in with wherever I was in NZ for work/CV or travel bookings. Heaps of help!

Me and my friend got to know some awesome Kiwis and we decided to go camping over Christmas/New Years on their own discovered Campsite. Such a big FUN! We had BBQs , went out for fishing every day, drunk some beers with friends who came over, danced the whole night in a Pub and watched stars afterwards. That was the best way to celebrate this time of the year!
We moved into their flat. Spend there our last month before traveling. It finally ends up, that my friend and one of the guys felt in love for each other. Now after nearly a year, they are still a couple, rent a little house and giving me a great reason to come back once. :)
New Zealand is changing a life!

Well, where should I start, I arrived on my own in New Zealand so I was pretty lost in Auckland on the first few days.
IEPs orientation workshop helped me a lot and within a few hours you were prepared for everything you needed for a woorking holiday. That was really great if you are thousands of miles away and have no idea how to deal with NZs burocracy which is by the way not that difficult, but honestly, if you are planning on staying longer than just a few weeks it's definitely a good feeling to have everything organised on your arrival.

Their OFFICE IN AUCKLAND is located directly in Queen Street and makes it the one place to go when you just arrived. They do help you with basically EVERYTHING, and if I say everything I really mean it. No matter what you need they are there for you and help you as good as they and their partners can with tips for your travels, they book flight-, train-, bus and whatever tickets for you, they check offers you got if you want to buy a car, they keep your postage for your whole stay or send it to you without a charge to any place in New Zealand which is one of the big points why I chose to go with them on my gap year.

Another good point about IEP is their emergency number. If you are in trouble you can call them anytime and they will always help you as fast as possible!
Not to forget is also that they are all available via facebook so you can text them just on facebook and you'll get a fast reply. And of course they to provide the same service you can get in their Auckland office if you send them an email, call them or text them on facebook.

They really take care of you. Especially with their social events throughout the country. They do have amazing races through Auckland, pubmeets in different cities (in Auckland hosted by them and as far as I know in other cities hosted by other volunteering backpackers) which is a great opportunity to meet your travelmate (btw: that's how I met my travelmate lol)

All in all I can say it was definitely worth choosing IEP for my working holiday and I can doubtlessly recommend IEP to anyone who is planning on coming to NZ for a working holiday!

THANK YOU IEP, it was great exploring New Zealand with your help!

All the best for you guys in the future!