Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
information on local activities and attractions, and free brochures and maps. Staff can also
book activities, transport and accommodation.
Bear in mind that many information centres only promote accommodation and tour operat-
ors who are paying members of the local tourist association, and that sometimes staff aren't
supposed to recommend one activity or accommodation provider over another.
There's also an excellent network of Department of Conservation visitor centres to help
you plan activities, make bookings and buy maps - and generally pick the brains of know-
ledgeable DOC staff for local track conditions and recommendations. Visitor centres also
usually have displays on local lore, flora and fauna.
From abroad, a good place for pre-trip research is the official website of
Tourism New
and Japanese.
Women Travellers
NZ is generally a very safe place for women travellers, although the usual sensible precau-
tions apply. If you're out on the town, for example, always keep enough money aside for a
taxi back to your accommodation. Lone women should also be wary of staying in basic pub
accommodation unless it looks safe and well managed.
The real dangers in the NZ wilderness are associated with weather, terrain and bad pre-
paration, all of which can be countered with good sense. It is outside the wilderness areas
where the greater risks lie: travel with recommended operators and stay at reputable accom-
modation; travel with a friend or in a group; avoid walking alone late at night; and never, ever
hitchhike alone.
Work
Finding Work
There's plenty of casual work around, mainly in agriculture (fruit picking, farming, wineries),
hospitality or ski resorts. Office-based work can be found in IT, banking, finance and tele-
marketing. Register with a local office-work agency to get started.
Seasonal fruit picking, pruning and harvesting is prime short-term work for visitors. More
than 300 sq km of apples, kiwifruit and other fruit and veg are harvested from December to
May. Rates are around $10 to $15 an hour for physically taxing toil − turnover of workers is
high. You're usually paid by how much you pick (per bin, bucket or kilogram). Prime North Is-
land picking locations include the Bay of Islands (Kerikeri and Paihia), rural Auckland, Taur-
