Working for free accommodation in Wellington

On my second morning at Nomads Hostel, the kind receptionist who knew I was new to the city and looking for work let me know that there was an opportunity to do Work for Accommodation at the hostel. For those who haven’t heard the phrase “work for accommodation,” it means doing work at the hostel in exchange for free accommodation plus other perks. These perks can vary by hostel, ranging from free Wi-Fi, complimentary laundry, and even a free meal a day.

The hourly commitment per week also varies per hostel, and usually, you need to make a small bond payment to ensure that you will be there for the minimum two-week commitment. Work for Accommodation was such a nice way to become familiar with the city and attend local events such as walking tours or Music in the Park with other people who have a working holiday visa here or travelers passing through.

Since you are only working up to four hours per day, you can have the rest of the day to look for a job in the city. I recommend Temp Agencies; these may require that you come in for an interview, but after the interview and receiving your contact information, they will contact you when they have a job that needs filling! Extra eyes to help you on your way to saving some extra cash, so you can explore the rest of this beautiful country!

If your goal is to get going in the city, then consider work for accommodation as an option to help keep some weight in your pockets. This way, you can go out for that drink with your new friends in the bean bag chairs and enjoy the harbor view.