New Zealand working holiday..

[ARB-MAN]

Hi, I'm going out to New Zealand for a working holiday in a couple of months, was just wandering if anybody knows whether there's much scope for finding some work with a tree surgery firm? I have cs30,31,38 and 39 - allthough i'd class my self as a groundie, still learning to climb!

 

I believe your not supposed too be in full time employment on a working holiday visa.

 

Would be great to have some of your advice.....

 

Cheers

[Taupotreeman]

Not sure if I have my facts right but I think if you have a work visa you should be OK though I don't know if there is a difference between a working holiday and a work visa/permit. The bigger outfits here have a pretty good deal with immigration and should be able to help you circumnavigate any potential issues but don't expect the same kind of working enviroment as at one of the small companies. For work, try Asplundh, Treescape, trademe, seek or just try a few places out of the yellow pages. Oh, and don't expect to email and get a reply. Better off ringing up and speaking to someone direct.

[ARB-MAN]

Cheers for the reply mate.. Thats what I'm not sure about either and I have searched the web to try and find out if a working holiday visa is different from a work permit. I believe you can stay in the country longer with a work permit, - need to do some more googling!!

Whats the difference in the working environment between the bigger outfits and the smaller ones??

[Taupotreeman]

Best place is probably NZimmigration website. Failing that you could ring a UK branch of NZimmigration. With the bigger companies, depending who you work for, you run the risk of becoming just a number. You have to remember that they employ upwards of 100 people so it's not quite the same as a smaller outfit. Plus you might end up doing the same kind of work day in and day out if you're unlucky. The big outfits have big contracts so you might end up on one of those. They do have pros though such as more job security, better gear etc. Best thing to do is have a look at a couple of websites. Treescape and asplundh both have websites. There's often jobs advertised on trademe under arborists. Also with the bigger outfits you'll be able to move around the country a bit but you might also end up working with guys that are not much short of butchers. I doubt you'll struggle for work though if you know your stuff and are willing to work. You could also just apply directly for a work permit and solve the problem. You might have to t up a job first but it shouldn't be an issue. Once you are here you can always look for another job and reapply for a new permit if things don't work out with the first outfit. Sorry for the long reply.

[Taupotreeman]

One other thing; you can apply for a work visa for up to 3 years.

[ARB-MAN]

The long reply is much appreciated, cheers. I was planning on going out with a working holiday visa and doing some of the backpacker jobs around the country for a while just to experience the lifestyle and more of the country, and then looking for a job doing tree work. If I find one I can then apply for a work visa. Thats just what I had in mind but open to all options..

 

Is that Mt Ruapehu in your pic? Hoping to be doing some snowboarding there this NZ winter :-)

 

Just another question, i dont know if you know much about because your obiviously a tree surgeon.. but ive been on trademe jobs and there seems to be quite a few jobs with logging companies. Have you had any experience or do you know anything about them? Been watching too much "Axe men" and running around setting chokers etc quite appeals to me. I dont know why though? lol... I like trees and get a buzz out of working hard maybe...

[benedmonds]

About 8 or 9 years ago, I was in a similar position to you, found work at City Care in Christchurch, they had lots of brits on working holiday visa's.

[Taupotreeman]

Yep, that's Ruapehu in my avatar. It's about a half hour drive from where I live. Godd skiing in winter apparently but it's not my cup of tea.

 

Plenty of logging jobs around these parts but you have to supply your own gear in most places. There's not much in common with the axe men as most of it is plantation forest and just straight felling with machinery used for felling assistance and extraction. There seems to be a heap of guys start up each year but never go on with it because it's hard work. The local chainsaw shops always have their second hand saws on sale after the guys have done the course and then spent a week in the forests and realised it's not for them. Most of the guys I've seen in the bush are pretty rough and ready but I might have the odd contact here and there if you're really keen though I would advise against it. I reckon you'd get bored pretty quick.

 

As for back packer jobs; there's usually heaps. The Hawkes Bay has plenty of fruit picking jobs though obviously not in winter but there always seems to be something about. Just don't forget that with the rugby world cup coming up everything is going to get really expensive.

[ARB-MAN]

Cheers for all the info Taupotreeman, been a big help. I'm hoping to be in NZ by April, so if I dont end up finding a job with an arb company you might get a message on here off me regarding your contacts in the logging industry. I'll just see how things go..

 

Thanks again.... Will

[Taupotreeman]

Had a quick yak with the local Stihl dealer this morning. Feller loggers earn about $700 per week. Safety gear usually provided but you use your own saw. A chainsaw allowance is given along with new chains. H&S is high and a clean drug test required. If you can graft and you have chainsaw tickets you should be just fine.