IEP Work New Zealand

I arrived in New Zealand 9 and a half months ago. Aged 18 and with no plan what to do, I chose to go to BUNAC/IEP for my visa. They've been so amazing with helping me settle in and enjoy my time in New Zealand! I bought a stray pass in order to help me travel and that's also been awesome. Stray is a good way to meet people, get some awesome activities in and travel the length of NZ.
In the 9 and a half months I was here I worked in 2 hostels, lived in 2 cities, worked 2 waitressing jobs and travelled all the South Island and some of the North. It's been an adventure for sure! I used IEP to help with job searching, bank accounts and tax. They're always keen and happy to help which makes life easier!

Some highlights of my trip:
• doing the world's second most scenic skydive in Fox Glacier- a last minute decision which totally payed off!!
• Nevis Bungy jump in Queenstown. Absolutely terrifying and NOT to be done hungover (my mistake), but makes you feel like a champion.
• Paddling in a glacier pool at Mount Cook. Freezing cold but I did touch an iceberg so that's pretty cool.
• Swimming with wild dolphins in Kaikoura. As the sun rose over the sea, I was underwater singing through my snorkel to all these wild dolphins. Best day ever!!

New Zealand is an amazing, beautiful and enchanting country which shouldn't be overlooked.
Thankyou BUNAC and IEP for helping me get here!!!

My year out started last Sept, when I waved goodbye to Ireland and headed to the Asian shores. I travelled there for a little while before I headed for Australia. This is where I knew I would be very comfortable as I had friends & family dotted around the place. NZ was the place I was most nervous about....on my own properly, not knowing anyone, was a scary prospect but I am so delighted I did it! & more so with IEP. Their staff in their Auckland offices were friendly from the outset & knowing I could tip in with them at any stage, was such a great help, particularly in those initial days of finding your feet. Even the simple things of access to computers & being able to print things off....this was a huge help with locating work opportunities & accommodation. Their staff have also traveled nationwide and worldwide so they understand what you're going through & even just a friendly chat was always appreciated. I worked for a few months & then traveled the length and breadth of NZ. I loved every minute of it. If you are embarking on your adventure, I'm actually quite jealous! Enjoy this beautiful country. Aotearoa has definitely left a long-lasting impression on me. I would highly recommend IEP!

If you need an organisation for your gap year or not is probably one of the most ask questions from backpackers ever. The answer is simple. You don't.

But if you don't feel 100% sure or you would like some tipps and support the IEP is definetly one of the best choices you can do. The staff is always there for you. They help you with basically everything.
When I arrived here my Backpack was damaged and three days late. The IEP helped me dealing with the airline which was quite complicated. They gave me an Airbus-ticket including return for free just so I could actually go to the airport itself and drop my reciepts there.

IEP also helped me with any other questions I ever had. They booked a rental car for me and told me places to go. They gave me an valuable orientation seminar and told me everything about opening a bank account and applying for an IRD number.

Additionally the social media presence is pretty awesome. You can message people on facebook and they answer you as good as they can.

All in all IEP made my trip more enjoyable and gave me a feeling of safty because I have always someone who covers my back.

Quite simply the team at IEP are the most helpful and sincerely nicest people I've met whilst in NZ. I can't rate them highly enough. Their advice on where to stay, when to book, where to drink and how to make the most of your time here is second to none.
On more than one occasion I have turned up 20 minutes before they are due to close with a head full of ideas and last minute travel plans, with no real idea on how best to sort it out. The girls took the time to call rental companies, hostels, activity companies etc. and sort my whole trip out for me.
Even the times when people just want to come and chat or hang out or are having a tough day adjusting to life on the other side of the world. The team are more than happy to 'spin some yarns' and make you feel right at home.

I really would advise anyone thinking of coming to NZ to utilise their services as arriving in a new country is more stressful that you think.

My trip so far wouldn't have been the same without them.

I bought IEP through the UK BUNAC program and from the get go it was dodgy. The person that talk to me never been to New Zealand at all as she though Auckland was its capital but I went for it as I was super stressed. Have I known this website I would have go with any other company than IEP or Bunac on this list!

The people that ''Welcomed'' in Auckland were other working holiday makers that only stayed in Auckland, their knowledge of New Zealand was of Auckland and the few bus tour companies that gave them free tours around. Pretty much it. Their travel info was a joke as the person giving it was actually working for a bus company!!! Job wise the support was almost non existent aside from ''use trademe and do some wwoofing'' The hostel was crowded, unpersonnal and very cheap, to the point that I checked out before my due date to go somewhere better.

It was a clear waste of money, please people, avoid at all cost, for your own good!

IEP set my mind at ease. Coming from the US where the information on working holidays and backpacking is practically non existent, the staff took all the things I was stressing about (Bank Accounts, Tax Numbers, accommodation, work) and made it easy. Any question I had, they had an answer, and if they didn't, they found one. I didn't spend much time in Auckland, where the office is based, but with their Facebook page and online site, I still had access to help if I needed it.

And its not just the staff that has great advice, the other members are great about sharing experiences. Where to stay, what to do, what not to do. Its an instant community of fellow travelers and its great!

The number one thing I love about IEP, is that they are full of advice and help, but they don't take away the experience by holding your hand too much. They encourage you to go out and have the best adventure you can have, and they will be there if you need them.

As a late comer to work/travel abroad, it was difficult finding a program that would accept someone over 30. IEP Work New Zealand fit the bill, and provided all of the necessary support for the newly arrived, sleep-deprived traveler.

They had transport and the first few nights accommodation pre-booked so we didn't have to worry about finding our way right off the plane which was brilliant.

The office is directly across from the arranged hostel, so it was easy to get to and centrally located in Auckland. An orientation session during the first couple days sets you up with heaps of info and they assist in getting all your tax info and bank account setup right away.

So that's the basic stuff. But here's the really useful stuff. The staff are great and do everything they can to help you out. Anything from travel tips, car insurance, social nights at the pub, baggage storage, advice on job hunting, tips on attractions, getting off the beaten track, you name it! Their insider knowledge and willingness to help you out can be a blessing in an unfamiliar place, and really makes you feel welcome and confident that you have someone watching your back.

One of their marketing staff told me about a video contest, and I ended up winning first place which gave my bank account a real boost when I was traveling.

I got to know several of the staff personally, and even now wouldn't hesitate to phone them up with a question or meet up for a drink.

I often say it's all about people when you're traveling. IEP and New Zealand is full of great people, and the experiences we had over the year program shaped us permanently.

I still haven't left New Zealand, and I'm now a permanent resident together with my partner whom I met during the program.

The beauty of New Zealand has to be experienced, and IEP Work New Zealand is a great way to do it.

Highly recommended.

From start to finish, IEP was invaluable in making my working holiday experience a success. I felt fully prepared with my pre-trip and arrival information, and then the 3-hour orientation on my first day in Auckland was super helpful. By the end of the day I had applied for my IRD number, opened a bank account, signed up for a free city tour of Auckland, and met heaps of other like-minded travelers at a burger & movie night. The support didn't stop there, I ended up booking my NZ travel pass with the help of IEP, and when it came time for me to find a job the staff went above and beyond to edit my CV and guide me through the recruitment process. Have I mentioned the free wifi and printing in the office?! Amazing. I also took advantage of the luggage storage, mail forwarding service and social gatherings. The staff are all-around great people who genuinely want you to have the best possible NZ experience. I can't say thank you enough!