what I spent on a working holiday in NZ - July
July was a month of big changes for me in my working holiday journey!! with the change in seasons (winter is definitely, officially here) came a change in jobs and thus accommodation. here's what the finances looked like in July:
Dining Out: NZD 542.60
this is on the higher side for me, but I was spending some time moving from my old accoms to my new one, which also meant dining out instead of cooking when on the road. I've also moved to a larger town, so there are far more restaurants and cafes to check out.
Groceries: NZD 549.96
this is about average for a month I think! I usually spend around $100-$150 per week on groceries.
Accommodation (regular): NZD 440
I'm sharing a house with friends so my rent is pretty affordable at $110 per week.
Accommodation (hostels): NZD 47.33
I had to spend 2 nights in hostels but I used some vouchers to score a great discount.
Skiing: NZD 484.33
this was my first time ever skiing so I got the first timer package at Mt Hutt and a second lesson at a discounted price. I also paid for the round-trip shuttle bus between Methven and Mt Hutt, and for storage on the mountain. Skiing is such an expensive sport 🥲
Other experiences: NZD 108.38
This included a lovely hot pool experience in Methven and dance workshops in Christchurch.
Car related: NZD 389.98
I got a flat tyre on my way back from Christchurch 😠The tyre couldn't be saved so I had to get a new one, and I also paid for servicing since my car was due for that.
Petrol: NZD 302.82
I went to Christchurch on two weekends which accounts for most of the petrol costs. To keep petrol costs down, I carpool with friends to and from work.
Shopping: NZD 331.31
the perils of staying in a bigger town - having shops nearby and having the temptation to buy things. I bought some warmer clothes for winter from Macpac and Kathmandu, and scored ski pants and a ski jacket from a second hand shop.
TOTAL: NZD 3,196.71 ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
💰 income 💰
two sources of income this month - one is the 8% holiday pay from my previous job and the second is regular wages from my current job. my previous job was a seasonal job, so we are paid an additional 8% on top of our minimum wage in replacement of having paid leave days. my previous employer paid this out at the end of the employment term instead of with every paycheque, which really came in handy this month 😅
my current job pays NZD 25 per hour, which is a dollar more than minimum wage, and also pays the additional 8% with every paycheque. this is an outdoor job, so we can't work (and therefore don't get paid) if it rains too heavily. I had to start work a week later than expected due to wet weather.
8% holiday pay from previous job: NZD 1,122.18
wages from current job-
public holiday (Matariki) pay: NZD 243
regular wages: NZD 25 x 125.5 hours + 8% = NZD 3,388.50
Overall, higher expenditure this month but I try to remind myself that the memories made are priceless 🫶
Embarking on a working holiday in New Zealand has been both a financial and personal adventure for me. July, a month when winter truly sets in, brought significant changes including a job switch and relocating to a larger town, which naturally influenced my spending patterns. One of the biggest impacts on my budget was the shift in accommodation. Sharing a house with friends allowed me to keep rent affordable at NZD 110 per week, but a couple of nights were spent in hostels due to the move, fortunately discounted with vouchers. This highlights an important tip for fellow travelers: always look for available deals or vouchers for hostels or short-term stays to minimize costs during transitions. Food expenses ballooned this month, partly because moving between accommodations meant more dining out. With NZD 542.60 spent on restaurants and cafes, it was noticeably above my usual spend. Nevertheless, this also provided an excellent opportunity to explore the local culinary scene in a bigger town. On the flip side, grocery spending remained steady at around NZD 550, aligning with typical monthly costs. Shopping for winter essentials like warm clothing and ski gear added to expenses but was necessary to stay comfortable and enjoy seasonal activities. Speaking of activities, I took my first-ever skiing lessons at Mt Hutt, which turned out to be a thrilling yet costly experience at over NZD 480. Besides lessons, travel to the ski area and equipment storage fees contribute to the high costs associated with this sport. However, it was an unforgettable experience and a great way to embrace New Zealand’s winter offerings. Car expenses were another surprise with a flat tyre and servicing costs totaling nearly NZD 390, along with petrol costs of NZD 302.82 due to weekend trips to Christchurch. To manage some of these transport costs, I carpool with friends whenever possible, which also helps reduce environmental impact and fosters camaraderie. On the income side, I was fortunate to receive two sources: holiday pay from a previous seasonal job and regular wages from my current one, which provided some financial cushioning. The current outdoor job pays NZD 25 per hour plus an 8% holiday pay top-up, but weather delays reduced working hours initially. Overall, even though the total monthly spending reached NZD 3,196.71, I remind myself that these unique experiences and memories are priceless. For anyone planning a working holiday in New Zealand, it's important to budget carefully but also allow room for unexpected costs and fun adventures that make the journey worthwhile.