New Zealand Working Holiday : Think before Application

I would like to share and express my feeling and thoughts for the get-ready-apply for the New Zealand working holiday applicants. Each year, and this year the application fall on 20 January, therefore, most of the forums and pages are becoming crowded as usual. The most awkward thing for me are the complaints of some asking silly questions by totally-fully blanked individual. Ie. . How to apply ? What is working holiday? How much I can earn? How can I stay there?

If you are the one who got the most interest to explore this program though these questions shouldn't be asked. These questionable people who apply is a total waste of time and effort.

Well, but this scene does not seem it happen much in previous years as most of the ex-wher usually do their own homework before asking relevant questions. The main reasons of this is because the widely spread news by the social media and channels that provide different kind of sources of information. For instance, a web page with a huge title “ New Zealand is opening quotas for Working Holiday on 20 January”, “Let's go New Zealand to work and Travel”, and even “ Malaysia Economy depreciating, go New Zealand working holiday”. People will just think and click on it without hesitation as this is really tempting. Then, they will join groups and bombing continuous questions they eager for answer, because what they thought is people who got experience could give “DIRECT” advice.

Anyway, Economy not good has what to do with New Zealand working holiday?

• Think wisely before you act

This program is getting more trendy each year and every one is being influenced that they can be one of them who can live in another land. So did I. However, most of us are acting overwhelmed on how good it will be if I am able to work and holiday in NZ (New Zealand). Thanks to people who share their positive mindset and fantasies their dream in NZ. Through websites, books on store and many kind of articles that only publish the “correct” way of “promoting” this program. The are darkness, negative issues, illegal actions, law breakers.These seems like nonsense but it should be taken into consideration. Those issues might not happened on ourselves, but you can be frighten if happened to others as well. 

For example, sexual harassment, discrimination, and most common illegal work. In future as I predict, there might be Malaysian agent who will offer an huge price RM3000 or more to guarantee you to work in New Zealand by including flight tickets, visa (it might fake), accommodation and work. (It is a scam thing that is happening now in NZ but most of them are China man, minority Malaysian)

You want it to be like peaceful and live happily ever after OR a hell dungeon place where people only go there to struggle and blood-work for dollar $$$?. Urging those who want to apply this program should take accountability to avoid traditional and selfish thinking. It is so unfair to the others if you made the wrong decision as it might create a bad working holiday phenomenon and such consequences is unbearable.

• Create a Balance “ Working” and “Holiday”, Tolerance

Let's talk about the Holiday. If you consider a holiday or a visit of friends and family in NZ that it is a nice place to do it, due to geographically wise that produced fresh air, hiking and trekking must-go destination, beautiful scene, fresh food and dairies, you DO NOT NEED to apply visa under working holiday scheme. A visitor visa of three months is well sustainable and sufficient enough for you to “ re-charge” your self. Thus, you can save up to NZD 200++ for the application, visitor visa is FREE and do not need to apply for it. If you think that three months is just too fast and still something must do in your to-do list, extension visitor visa is applicable then you might need some time to explore on the website for the next step.

If you are unsure that you want to apply working holiday or not, this is a good way to have a holiday first. Perhaps, the next year you might really want to stay and work in NZ, you will consider to apply for Working Holiday then. For those are working, you should consider to take a walk and trek on your nearest route, swim, believe me, it is stunning and the view is free. Act determine, other wise, you'll miss it, many people miss it.

*p/s : if you are so hien and rich, apply mat cha working holiday la ??!! You just go there expense what, your purpose also not live for life, making everything so congested only lor. Samo spend money to apply WH then go there holiday. Not even work for a job for a week and not even TRY!

There are many ways to work, and different kind of work you might find. It can be work for wages that you get paid, or woof-ing (don't get paid, but a place for you to stay). However, once you work you should work as hard as you can, that this is a commitment. Please do not think as you just come here to “experience” or to “ play-play”, then you simply work. I read something from a Taiwanese source before, that the author is discouraging people to put effort on work, “ aiya, I come here is to experience the lifestyle here, if I don't like just don't want work, or, Work so hard what for? I am not here to hard-work.”

Well, I believe there is no employer to hire such attitude employees, with a standard fix legally wages, hourly, by-contract, smoko time (break time), and benefits, this attitude in working is really pissing off the employers. However, when it comes to wages get paid is the not correct amount, it will become a big issue. Now, think back, did you ever contribute as much to get that amount of wages thou? I understand that there is a black market work force, and you just being protective, but what caused this? This is chicken and egg issue, is the employer becomes mean first? Or the worker not working hard? NZ's work is not difficult as you thought

• Age 18 to 30, why ?

Do you ever think why that there is a limitation of this age range? In my opinion, this has many facts that NZ put this age range for the working holiday applicants. These ages prove you as category of “young adult” as this means you are mature enough to take any responsibilities. The ability of thinking and making the correct decision rationally. Be disciplined and independent , able to take care your self, and able to help the weak. Meanwhile, you are proved that physically fit as NZ takes consideration that workers might or not involve in agriculture jobs that work outdoor, also it is to encourage the youngsters to contribute on their increasing produce.

The all facts that I mentioned above is already a very good answer for applicants who parents always ask them or even discourage them moving abroad to study, to work or to live. Unless, you got nothing capable. However, in some situation, age should not be discriminated. Most importantly, an open heart, kindness to others, prepared and be independent shows more than your age and appearance. Ie. Some already 30's are actually think thought like a school kid.

I read a post that say “a day of working wages he got is NZD4”. What the hell is going on there? Did you just worked 10 minutes a day or what? Do you think about is that logic before complaint?

• NZ Working Holiday is a Last Resort for all Malaysian.

Apparently, YES because your attitude shows! Except NZ, Australia is another working holiday destination for Malaysian 100 vacancies to apply each year only! Nevertheless, NZ is another optimum option as it is quite near, quite cheap flight fare, easy-going place.

In other words, it is another best way to escape (getting another kind of visa and PR lar), partner with a local, find related required skilled jobs, study and work there and etc. And, who wish to come back to Malaysia which a hellhole place? Would you go Kuantan to do trekking and picnic ah? Or will you suck the haze flew from Indon? With all the affects, people fight for it to another part of the world, and we look like another kind of refugees.

Nothing will change in this wonderful land NZ, no matter you go there this year, or after 10 years, Mt Cook will still standing there, Queenstown is still the same view, there heaps of sheep (there is not much change that's why some of them feel boring). Except human being, people will change in NZ, from good to bad, vice versa. And what relates more to human, it is the work or jobs. There is no guarantee what can be going on if you reach there, things cannot say.

I am not showing off how good and enjoyable when I was in NZ and how bad is the working environment and the service there. Take a balance, do not over trust the articles you read online or even books, as I mentioned, people will change. And I do believe and having a strong faith that Malaysian community education and culture may lead most of us to open mind thinking. Please do not be the one of “follow-book” and practice what the book says.

Reliable or not, is for you to judge. Hell know how much the publisher paid to one who wrote to promote this program and how much benefits they might get behind.

Working Holiday is very common and healthy program for any who eligible. But, will get rogue.