Doing a workstay in NZ...

[E-Bum]

I'm 22, need some time to explore the world after having exhausted my energy studying engineering at uni. What better place to explore than NZ, I thought.

So, what I'm thinking is fly into NZ in mid-January (yes, I know, there will be tourists), and do a workstay/homestay through helpx.net (work 4-5 hours a day in exchange for accomodation and board). What I want to do, though, is a buyback (or just buy a bike on my own) ASAP so I can ride in my off time. Eventually, I'd like to find a couple other workstays across the two islands and ride from one to the other on this bike.

So my question... Do I buy a bike now and have it stored somewhere, or start looking a few weeks before I leave? When will it be cheaper to buy over there?

Also, with buy backs (like motorcyclebuyback.co.nz), are you generally required to drop the bike back off at the same place you bought it from? I guess that would make sense, but I just thought I'd clear that up...

I am filled with questions right now, so bear with me.
Where do I get started with paperwork for license/registration/WOF/insurance, etc...?

Thanks!

[nadroj]

First you need to practice riding on the opposite side of the road...... good luck!

[spajohn]

So, what I'm thinking is fly into NZ in mid-January (yes, I know, there will be tourists), and do a workstay/homestay through helpx.net (work 4-5 hours a day in exchange for accomodation and board).

Also check out http://www.couchsurfing.org for if you travel about and need a place to stay.

[E-Bum]

First you need to practice riding on the opposite side of the road...... good luck!

I think they may frown upon doing that around here.
But I'll plan on taking it easy on those roads until I get used to it.

Also check out http://www.couchsurfing.org for if you travel about and need a place to stay.

I'll be using that when I'm actually in between workstays or on the road somewhere. The nice thing about the workstay is that it's a long-term thing where I'll be able to have a temporary "home base" so to speak.

[scracha]

Just buy a bike over here (same goes with getting a tax code and bank account)....if you're not bothered about image then... 3K NZD gets something very usable and 6K gets something pretty bloody good (bearing in mind DR400's were going for about $8500 NEW here a wee while back). Look after it and you won't lose ANYTHING when you sell it either.

As an engineer, just get decent paying short term contracts and stay in cheap flatshares, "sleep outs" or motels. May I suggest starting in Christchurch?

If you must do the homestay thing then find whatever industry you're interested in and just fire out the emails. Lots of kiwi's will put you up for a while if you're hard working and willing to work for peanuts. Don't stay in one place too long and make sure you don't end up working too much.

Be careful though, some of us workstayers never leave

[Toaster]

I'm 22, need some time to explore the world after having exhausted my energy studying engineering at uni. What better place to explore than NZ, I thought.

So, what I'm thinking is fly into NZ in mid-January (yes, I know, there will be tourists), and do a workstay/homestay through helpx.net (work 4-5 hours a day in exchange for accomodation and board)

Don't forget to apply for a work visa or it will be a long return flight home.

[tigertim20]

I'm 22, need some time to explore the world after having exhausted my energy studying engineering at uni. What better place to explore than NZ, I thought.

So, what I'm thinking is fly into NZ in mid-January (yes, I know, there will be tourists), and do a workstay/homestay through helpx.net (work 4-5 hours a day in exchange for accomodation and board). What I want to do, though, is a buyback (or just buy a bike on my own) ASAP so I can ride in my off time. Eventually, I'd like to find a couple other workstays across the two islands and ride from one to the other on this bike.

So my question... Do I buy a bike now and have it stored somewhere, or start looking a few weeks before I leave? When will it be cheaper to buy over there?

Also, with buy backs (like motorcyclebuyback.co.nz), are you generally required to drop the bike back off at the same place you bought it from? I guess that would make sense, but I just thought I'd clear that up...

I am filled with questions right now, so bear with me.
Where do I get started with paperwork for license/registration/WOF/insurance, etc...?

Thanks!

If you intend to spend some time in the south island, I have in laws who take on wwoofers. (willing workers on organic farms)
Basically they give you a room, which is actually a cabin they built, and feed you etc, and you help out for a few days, so you dont get paid but the stay etc is free, basically what you were talking about.

If you are interested, they are in the Otago area, PM me if ya wanna know more.

[E-Bum]

Just buy a bike over here (same goes with getting a tax code and bank account)....if you're not bothered about image then... 3K NZD gets something very usable and 6K gets something pretty bloody good (bearing in mind DR400's were going for about $8500 NEW here a wee while back). Look after it and you won't lose ANYTHING when you sell it either.

As an engineer, just get decent paying short term contracts and stay in cheap flatshares, "sleep outs" or motels. May I suggest starting in Christchurch?

If you must do the homestay thing then find whatever industry you're interested in and just fire out the emails. Lots of kiwi's will put you up for a while if you're hard working and willing to work for peanuts. Don't stay in one place too long and make sure you don't end up working too much.

Be careful though, some of us workstayers never leave

Why do you suggest Christchurch in particular?


Yes, I will have to apply for a WHV... though if I'm not getting paid, I wouldn't want to waste my 'once in a lifetime' WHV on only 2 months, when they're valid for up to a year (I think).

[Berries]

You never know what life is going to throw at you so this could be the only 'once in a lifetime' opportunity you get. So I'd get the visa in case things change and you end up staying for longer than 2 months or find a dream job. You might never make it back here again.

Why Christchurch ? Mmmm. Seen any NZ news lately ?

[E-Bum]

You never know what life is going to throw at you so this could be the only 'once in a lifetime' opportunity you get. So I'd get the visa in case things change and you end up staying for longer than 2 months or find a dream job. You might never make it back here again.

Why Christchurch ? Mmmm. Seen any NZ news lately ?

You may have a point there. I guess I should have made it clear that I really don't want much to do with engineering, so being an engineer in Christchurch and rebuilding doesn't really appeal to me. That's why I didn't put those two together.

But at the same time, who knows? Something could spark my interest and I really could end up anywhere. Have to keep an open mind right? For that reason, you are probably right in getting that work holiday visa.

Does anyone have any experience with the guys from www.motorcyclebuyback.com ?

[Berries]

Does anyone have any experience with the guys from www.motorcyclebuyback.com ?

Not sure how many New Zealanders would use a service like that. Can’t see the small print but 50% buyback of a sub $5000 bike isn’t much of a deal. As scracha said, you’d probably get more on the open market. You are paying quite a premium to reduce a bit of hassle.

And again, it is chipping away at the freedoms you might want in a holiday over here. If you are loaded and booked on a month long holiday and want to do a road trip then I can see how it might work. But you have to choose a bike first and stump up half the cost when you book it. Then pay the rest on arrival. What if you don’t like the bike ? What if you realise it won’t hold all the luggage you brought with you ? The big what if is what if you change your mind and cancel your trip ?

If it was me I would arrive, settle in for a couple of days, have a look at the bike shops and newspapers then buy a bike. As long as you don’t trash it you shouldn’t lose 50% of the value at the end of the trip.

Actually, if it was me I would arrive, settle in for a couple of days, have a look at the bike shops and newspapers then buy a van so I have my own accommodation.

[Ratti]

PM me if you want to WOOF in lower north island. Ive got a mad mate who has a private cabin available for WOOFers

[Magna83]

As one of the other posters mentioned, I'd recommend getting a working holiday visa if you're planning on staying here for a while; it'll give you more options. They're easy to get, just apply on the NZ immigration site:

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra...idayscheme.htm

I came over in May on a working holiday visa and travelled all over the north island for a few months. Loved Welly so I decided to through out a few CVs and see how I got on. Long story short, I got a really good job and now I have my application in for residency.

Most bikes come with at least 3 months WOF (warranty of fitness). It's a basic check carried out by a mechanic to say the bike is road worthy. Usually costs around $25 and your bike has to have one.

Bike registration is also obligatory. I'm not 100% sure on how the reg works in terms of period. I got my reg done for 1 year for just over $400 for a 250cc. I think you may be able to pay for 6 months at a time. Not sure though.

Insurance in optional over here. I got full comprehensive for one year with NAC for $325 I think it was.

If you already have a bike license (or car license for that matter) you can get that transferred into an NZ license at most VTNZs. They will transfer it then and there for around $40. You do need proof of address though. I even managed to get a full car license off the back of my Irish learners by chancing my arm with the guy at the counter!

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/licence/gett...les/index.html

If you dont have a bike license then you'll have to do a basic handling skils test followed by a 35 question rules of the road test at a license centre. I did basic handling skils test with Stephens riding school in Lower Hutt here in Welly. Cost $180 and last about an hour & a half. All you do is ride around a few cones. Good fun! When thats over you get a certificate which you bring with you to the license centre so you can do your computer test. I did my test at the VTNZ on Adelaide rd.

If you've any questions on where to go or stay around the north island, just PM me. Enjoy NZ mate!