Documents for Work and Travel in New Zealand: Got Them All?

Overview

• Intro
• Document 1 - Passport
• Document 2 - Working Holiday Visa
• Document 3 - German Tax Number
• Document 4 - International Driver's License
• Document 5 - Travel Health Insurance
• Document 6 - Credit Card
• Miscellaneous - ID Card
• Miscellaneous - Proof of Funds
• Miscellaneous - I Need Help
• Miscellaneous - Important Data
• Frequently Asked Questions

Nils (Team KiwiQuest)

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Work and Travel Starter Kit

To kickstart your Working Holiday adventure in New Zealand smoothly, make sure you have these documents.

We’ll explain which travel documents you need for New Zealand and, most importantly, why you need them.

And don’t forget: Make backup copies of all documents. Because if something happens, you can’t just run home and grab what you forgot.

That’s that!
Drop da Beat!!
And let’s go!!!

Intro

Document 1 - Passport

Your passport is one of the most important documents if you want to travel and work as a backpacker. Without it, you can’t even leave Germany. More info is available in our Passport Tutorial.

Required for:

Additionally, you need your passport for entry and exit and as identification in many other instances. Losing it in New Zealand isn’t the end of the world but definitely costs time and nerves.

Okay, let’s move on!

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To protect your passport, we recommend:

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Document 2 - Working Holiday Visa

As a tourist, you’re welcome to visit New Zealand anytime. But to work legally, you need the Working Holiday Visa. You apply for it directly from Germany. More info available in our Visa Tutorial.

Required for:

As a tip: take care of your visa timely. Especially during peak season, the application process can take up to 40 days. This is more of an exception (usually more like 2 weeks), but better safe than sorry.

Okay, let’s move on.

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In support for your visa application:

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Document 3 - German Tax Number

It might sound strange, but you actually need proof of your German tax number to complete certain official processes in New Zealand. More info available in our Tax Number Tutorial.

Required for:

That’s all. You get your German tax number / tax ID from your local tax office. Alternatively, you’ll find it on your last income tax statement.

Okay, let’s move on.

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To ensure you don't forget your tax number:

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Document 4 - International Driver's License

With your own car, you get around New Zealand best. To do this, you need a driver’s license. And since you’re abroad, your German driver’s license alone isn’t enough. So make sure you get the international driver’s license and always show both.

Required for:

You can easily apply for the international driver’s license at your local driver’s license office. We went with a passport photo, driver’s license, ID card, and 15 Euros to our office and got it issued right away.

Okay, let’s move on.

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And just in case there's trouble with the car:

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Document 5 - Travel Health Insurance

We all hope for the best, but when it comes to health, you should definitely play it safe. The health system in New Zealand is different from Germany’s. More info available in our Insurance Tutorial.

Required for:

We’re keeping our fingers crossed that you won’t need your travel health insurance. Nevertheless, we kindly ask you not to skip out on it. It can really backfire.

Okay, let’s move on.

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And if the insurance doesn’t cover the costs:

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Document 6 - Credit Card

That little plastic card might seem totally unnecessary in Germany. In New Zealand, however, it can save you a lot of time and money. More info available in our Credit Card Tutorial.

Required for:

For us, having a credit card has been beneficial in many situations, especially if it’s travel-focused. Currently, we highly recommend the DKB offer. Have fun with it!

Okay, let’s move on.

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To protect your finances:

open me

Miscellaneous - ID Card

You won’t need your ID card in New Zealand often, but you should definitely keep it handy for emergencies. If you, for example, lose your passport, you’ll need your German ID for replacement.

Required for:

When applying for the Working Holiday Visa, you need dual identification. The most important document for this is your passport, and you can use your ID card as a secondary document.

Miscellaneous - Proof of Funds

Kiwis love having tourists in the country because they bring in a lot of money. Less popular are people who come without their own finances and contribute almost nothing to the economy. That’s why you now have to prove that you’re bringing some cash.

By the way, if you want to transfer money between your German and New Zealand accounts, there are 2 ways to avoid outrageous bank fees:

Read more about banking in our tutorial.

Miscellaneous - I Need Help

To make sure you don't forget any of your documents, we've crafted a small checklist for you to print and tick off. Hope it helps. Have heaps of fun in New Zealand. :-)

Miscellaneous - Important Data

In addition to the documents listed here, you should also keep a few important data ready for your Working Holiday stay. The following are super important, so you should definitely make a backup copy:

• Your New Zealand address
• Emergency phone number
• Insurance number
• License plate number
• Bank account information
• Cell phone number
• IRD number

Frequently Asked Questions

What other KiwiQuesters wanted to know...