My Trip to New Zealand started on the 14th of August 2012, from Frankfurt (Germany), over Dubai (stopover for one night) and Sydney, with arrival in Christchurch on the 17th of August 2012. 

After a few days staying in Christchurch, I began searching for a seasonal job in the South Island.  I read that there was a company looking for vineyard workers in Blenheim. After reading this, I contacted them and got the good news that I could start there straight away. The manager told me the address of the accommodation, where I was required to stay during this time. The next day i drove from Christchurch to Blenheim. When i arrived at the accommodation I was given a phone number I had to call, after doing so I was informed that I would be picked up at 6:45am.

On the next day they picked me up one time at 6:45 with a van and some other workers drove with us. After a half hour journey, I arrived at my new working place. At first I had to fill out a form with my details and sign the contract. After that I could start working. My job was "stripping". The work was very hard, but the time passed quickly. It was also good because the colleagues were all very friendly and funny. At the weekend we drank some beer with our colleagues at the hostel. It was a great time there.

A week and a half later, I got disappointing news. In the evening at 9:30pm, our driver came into our room and said that my roommate and I should contact the boss, because there was no space in the van for us. After writing to the boss, we were informed that we were fired because we were all too slow. We were all angry and disappointed, because he didn’t notify us personally. So the work ended sooner than expected.

The next shock hit me a few days later when I checked my balance. So I got on the second working week with much less salary than promised.

I immediately wrote the boss, who assured me then that I would get the money the next day. On the next day the money still wasnt there. I wrote three times, and each time the boss gave the same empty promises. After many unanswered messages I finally gave the ultimatum that I would contact the Department of Labour. After this, I immediately got a message promising me the money. The next day, this was the case, but I didn’t receive all of it. So I contacted him again. After several unanswered messages I told him I would go to the Department of Labour again. After that i got the answer that he will transfer the money as soon as possible. 

The next day, the money, a week and a half late, finally transferred into my account. I was not the only one who had this problem.