Hospitality Work Program in New Zealand

Discover the beautiful country and culture of New Zealand by participating in AIW’s Hospitality Work Program in New Zealand! Take a walk through the filming locations of the Lord of the Rings and other films, get your adventure fix by skydiving in Queensland, and become an experienced international chef by working in a 4- to 5-star hotel or restaurant in Auckland or other cities in New Zealand.


Program Details:

Duration:  6, 9 and 12 months

Program Fee:  From $2,150 (round trip to New Zealand not included)


Program Start Dates:

Year-round


Location: 

Auckland and other cities of New Zealand


Compensation: 

NZ$21-23/hour (~US$12-14)


Typical Application Process: 

3-6 months

Program Details

AIW’s 6-, 9-, 12-month culinary or hospitality work program in New Zealand offers culinary or hospitality professionals with at least one year of relevant experience the opportunity to live and work in New Zealand. Culinary professionals will work as savory Chef Assistants to chefs from around the world, and hospitality professionals will work in various areas of the hotel to expand their skills (bar, reception, etc.).

Participants are offered full-time placements (at least 30 hours/week) and paid an hourly wage of NZ $21.00-NZ $23.00 per hour. Placements take place in 4- to 5-star resort hotels, renowned restaurants, major conference centers, international restaurants, and other unique properties in Auckland or other cities in New Zealand. Paid placements can be organized for 6, 9, or 12 months, and unpaid placements can be organized for 3-6 months.

During the program, participants will be accommodated in host families, student residences, or shared apartments near their placement. Placement organizations generally do not offer housing to participants, but our partner can help find housing for the first four weeks of the program, and placement organizations generally provide meals to participants while on-duty. Participants are responsible for their housing and food expenses during the program.

This program runs year-round, however the high season in New Zealand runs from December to March. Interns may have the opportunity to work in other departments of the hotel based on availability and their interests (restaurant, bar and reception).

Program Eligibility: