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Programme Age Limit
Minimum 18 years, maximum decided on potential participants health
The Programme
After spending two days exploring the bustling city of Auckland you will catch a bus to a country farm on the beautiful West Coast of New Zealand’s North Island, which is about 40 minutes northwest of Auckland. Here is where you will spend the next five days taking part in the Kiwi Cowboy Course, learning to be a cowboy or cowgirl!
The farm is a 955 acre working horse property. You’ll be close by to the forest, beaches. You’ll be close by to the forest, beaches, wineries and cafes. The West Coast has some spectacular beaches such as Muriwai and Rangataira Beach. These are easily accessible by horse from the farm, and as beach riding alone is an experience that is not available in many countries, having a beach so readily accessible is a unique opportunity not to be missed.
Because it is north of Auckland, they enjoy warmer temperatures than southern New Zealand destinations. The benefit is that the programme can run all year round, and although it rains more often during the winter months (June, July, August), it is usually still quite pleasant and warm and a bit of rain doesn’t stop us!
Your Working Holiday Options
At the end of your Kiwi Cowboy Course, your coordinators can help you find paid work in New Zealand. The type of work they will generally be able to find for you will be fruit-picking or packing work in the Hawkes Bay area. This can be pre-arranged before you arrive so that you can go straight into your job at the end of the programme. (Please let your Travel Advisor know if you want to take up the work option).
The pay for this type of work can be pretty good too! Pack-house work is around $11 per hour and it involves grading, sorting and packing apples. Horticulture work is mainly on a contract basis so you would get paid by the number of bins you fill. On your first day you will probably do about 3 bins and be paid around $30-$35 per bin of apples. When you get really good you could be looking at doing over eight bins a day, so you will soon see your dollars adding up!
The apple-picking season finishes by June, but there is still work available in pruning of grapes and apple trees, as well as picking kiwi fruit and pack-house work continues through the winter.
If you work in the Hawkes Bay area we would recommend that you stay at a local backpackers in Napier, which is actually a converted prison! This backpackers offers a cheap weekly rate for people who are working.
Please note: If you wish to get paid work in New Zealand you need to apply for your working holiday visa prior to departing (please contact the Australasia Team to find out more).
Programme Support
Throughout your stay at the farm you will have the support and guidance of your host, Julie. As they live and work on the farm they will be there to offer you competent assistance and help with any questions or advice you may need during your stay.
In addition you will have access to a 24 hour emergency contact number so you can contact one of our UK staff at any time should you need to.
Programme Orientation
On arrival you will have your first two nights accommodation at a hostel in Auckland city. This will give you the chance to get to know the area or spend time relaxing before the start of your course.
Upon your arrival at the farm you will have an orientation, which will cover what to expect over the next five days and health & safety. You will also cover ground work and safety skills, and be matched to a horse that you will then be with for the duration of the course.
Accommodation and Meals
Prior to travelling to the farm you will have two nights hostel accommodation and breakfasts in Auckland. Therefore you need to arrive into Auckland on Saturday to check into your hostel. Your hostel has one of the best locations in Auckland, close to the waterfront, supermarkets, ferries, bus stations and not forgetting some of the best bars, cafés and nightclubs!
Accommodation during your stay for the Kiwi Cowboy programme is on the farm in a typical Kiwi family - Mum, Dad and Jordan who is 10 years old (loves soccer), dorm style rooms with a bathroom you share with other participants. Meals will be eaten with the family or out and about or on the BBQ, - you'll join the hosts for dinner.
Awaken each day to the sounds of country life (chickens, horses, and dogs and cats) and finish each day tired from a full day's activities, having experienced a day riding and having fun with your horse as well as getting out and seeing the local sites and people.
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