Top 5 places to visit in New Zealand

admin • February 13, 2022


New Zealand is better known for its uniquely diverse geography and attractions, including beaches, glaciers, volcanoes, breathtaking sceneries, and numerous opportunities for outdoor activities. But besides fun and adventure, the island country offers even more opportunities for job seekers from all over the world, a reason it has grown to be one of the most visited countries in the past few years. 

While not a very large country, New Zealand comprises several cities, each with unique qualities (and job opportunities) that you need to take into consideration before moving there on your working holiday visa. Here are the top five cities you could consider visiting in NZ: 

Auckland
As the largest and arguably the most popular city in the country, Auckland is no doubt a place to visit. In addition to being a nice place to live, you stand a higher chance of finding a job, thanks to rapid growth in major industries like construction, IT, and recruiting agencies. The city also boasts a large public transport network, which helps you get around with ease. 

Auckland offers a variety of accommodation options depending on how much you are willing to spend. During your free time, you can get immersed in the culture of the locals, visit beaches and museums, and try the local cuisine as you learn a thing or two about the city. 

Wellington    
Wellington is the capital of NZ and the second-largest city in the country. Not so surprisingly, it has been voted one of the most livable cities in the world and the best place to look for work in NZ. As the capital city, you can be sure to find numerous job opportunities in different industries and be guaranteed a fair income (the city has the highest median earnings for full-time workers). 

In addition to a relatively lower cost of income, a developed bus and train network, and other attractions like museums, Wellington is definitely on the list of the best places to visit in NZ.  

Queenstown
Queenstown is also a preferred destination for tourists, which can be attributed to its amazing outdoor activities during the summer months - including snowboarding, whitewater rafting, mountain climbing, bungee jumping, and world-class skiing in the winter.

As a tourist area, most jobs revolve around the tourism and hospitality industries. For accommodation, house prices tend to be high compared to other cities, so you may have to consider living in the suburbs, but it doesn't mean you won't enjoy the city just as much. 

Christchurch
This is the third-largest city in NZ and the biggest in the South Island. It also harbors the second-busiest airport in the country, which is an indication of how popular a destination it is. Since it is located away from the city, it offers quite a peaceful place not only to enjoy your holiday but also to work. 

Like Queenstown, Christchurch attracts millions of visitors every year, making hospitality and tourism jobs more popular. While here, be sure to visit the various tourist attractions such as the New Zealand Alps as well as the beautiful beaches. 

Hamilton   
Located less than two hours - drive from Auckland, Hamilton sits on the banks of the Waikato River, which is one of the most identifying and notable features of the city. A notable benefit of Hamilton is the low cost of living, especially on house prices, which are quite affordable. There are also many industries to work in, further making it a better option when considering a place to visit or stay.

Even more, incentivizing are the fun activities you can partake in during your free time, such as exploring the Waitomo Caves, Taupo, Rotorua, and surfing on Ngaranui Beach in Raglan. 

Whether you are going for work or adventure, the list of places to visit and attractions to see in NZ is endless. The list provided here can give you a starting point as you learn and, hopefully, even find more places and activities that suit your preferences.     

Interested in finding a role across New Zealand? Visit our Frog Recruitment website to find the job you love and help you on your journey :  www.frogrecruitment.co.nz

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In business since 2002 in New Zealand, Frog Recruitment is an award-winning recruitment agency with people at our heart. Located across Auckland and Wellington, we specialise in accounting and finance, business support, education, executive, government, HR, legal, marketing and digital, property, sales, supply chain, and technology sectors. As the proud recipients of the 2024 RCSA Excellence in Candidate Care Award, we are dedicated to helping businesses achieve success through a people-first approach.

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