When I got to Whangamata, I had this meeting for a painting tattoo job. I ended up washiing dishes at Sands Café.
First of all, I found a great accomodation, Barbaras BBH backpackers, one minute from the beach and only a hundred dollars a week. With that, and all the young people in the streets, I wanted to get a job there and nowhere else. So when I realised that my tattoo painting job wasnt going to get me any money, I printed some CVs and walked down the main street, stopping in every shop asking for a job. The problem was that, in the middle of summer, most of the places had all the staff they needed. I was starting to loose faith when I walked in this big, nice place with a summer coloured name : Sands Café. I asked to talk to the manager, said I was looking for a job, and here I was, hired to wash the dishes and help around. I did my first days in a place busy as hell, so busy that one day a hurried colleague closed the door of the giant freezer without noticing that I was still incide... Got me a free half an hour break. Anyway, I was getting money, and, best of all, had free lunches on my breaks. I spent a month there, working with a nice, energetic team, and I only left when all the tourists went back home, returning Whangamata to its quiet rythm.
   When I think about my work experience in Whangamata, its as one of the best places in New Zealand to get a summer job. If you get there in early december youll find a job for sure, and dont miss Barbaras BBH backpackers on Beverly Terrace, ideal to meet people, and a rock throw from the beach !

http://www.whangamatainfo.co.nz
http://www.thecoromandel.com/whangamata.html
http://www.whangamata.co.nz/