An open casting call has gone out to anyone in the Wellington area to go and audition for parts in the upcoming two part epic The Hobbit, the prequel to the phenomenally successful The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Featuring the Sherlock Holmes star Martin Freeman (and a nice cameo from his co-star Benedict Cumberbatch), filming of the long awaited adaptation of one of the most children's books of all time is now well underway in New Zealand.

With such a massive scale of production, more and more people are being drafted in to be dressed up and made up as any one of the many races featured in the books.

What they're looking for

Those with "character faces" are particularly being encouraged to go along but almost anyone qualifies; men must be under 163cm and women under 155cm is the only criteria.

Along with "character faces", men with large biceps or slim athletic bodies are also sought while women between 165 and 203cm tall could be in with a great shot.

A cautionary tale

If you're a fan of the series, no doubt you'll already be on your way down there but make sure you've got your New Zealand Working Holiday visa handy as only those who are eligible to work in the country will be allowed to audition

Remember you need to be over 16, and have a working visa. You don't want to end up like one ineligible fan, who has to resort to smearing his face with green boot polish and smashing around town wearing old dustbins to get attention.

Where to go

The casting call is at The Belmont Hall on Saturday 28th January between 1 and 4pm and anyone over 16 can audition so grab your Elven bow or your Goblin axe or whatever other medieval deadly weapon is your personal preference and head down there. Who knows, we might be seeing you an IMAX screen by Christmas!

Good luck!

©Visa Bureau 2003-2010

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

If you missed the New Year celebrations in New Zealand, don't worry as there's still plenty of things to do across the country in January, from comedy to cuisine and plenty in between, you'll be hard pressed to find nothing to do in one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

If you can't quite make it to Melbourne for the Australian Open, the Heineken Open in Auckland is the premier men's tennis event in New Zealand. Held from the 9th to the 14th of the month, some of the biggest names in tennis grace the hardcourts. Current world number 5 David Ferrer is the reigning champion after beating Argentine David Nalbandian in straight sets in the 2011 final.

If you're looking for a little exhilaration and exercise this January, (possibly part of a faltering New Year's Resolution) the New Zealand Ocean Swim Series comes to Wellington on the 29th of January. The State Capital Classic Wellington takes places on Freyberg Beach and Oriental Bay Beach and features a new 'I'm Going Long' swim which takes swimmers out to a lighthouse in the bay while the 'Step It Up' swim for the more advanced swimmer takes you out around a giant fountain. If you're not the most confident swimmer, you can take part in the 'Give it a Go' swim or alternatively, not swim at all and instead participate in some of the more relaxing spectators' walks around the area.

If just the thought of watching sport tires you out, let alone taking part and you prefer the tastier things in life, the Auckland Seafood Festival held right in the end of the month should be more than enough with not just the best seafood but also musical acts and competitions set in the heart of Auckland's fishing industry.

Slowing things down a little, the incredible rise to fame of New Zealand folk-comedy duo the Flight of the Conchords has seen the New Zealand folk music scene explode in popularity. The Auckland Folk Festival takes place between the 27th and the 30th of January at the Kumeu Showground, a large flat camping area which makes for the ideal festival site. Folk acts from around the world come to the festival and, with tickets only on advanced sale until January 13th, fans need to move quick to secure their place.

- Dominic Ladden-Powell is Online Editor with the New Zealand Visa Bureau, an independent migration consultancy specialising in helping people lodge applications for a Working Holiday Visa to New Zealand.

©Visa Bureau 2003-2010

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

The Rugby World Cup may be over but all reports suggest the party is continuing. You may wish to spend your time in New Zealand joining the Kiwis in celebration and re-watching matches, but for those of you who need a break from rugby (or were barracking for a different team) there's plenty going on this November to take your mind off the All Blacks.

And what better way to forget about rugby than get stuck into some domestic Kiwi cricket? The Plunket Shield domestic competition kicks off on November 7-10, with the Central Stags taking on the Wellington Firebirds in Napier, the Northern Knights play the Auckland Aces in a North Island derby in Whangerei and the Canterbury Wizards facing the Otago Volts in Rangiora. Get a picnic together and get down to any of these Round 1 matches and see New Zealand's best cricketers in action!

If you prefer games of a less strenuous kind, Auckland's Cock and Bull English Pubs host subtly-named 'Wii at the Cock' nights on Mondays in November, where punters can try their hand at Nintendo Wii games. Plenty of good British pub food on offer to stave off the homesickness.

Keeping with the British theme, come listen to two of the greatest British rock albums of all time as the Stardome Observatory and Planetarium in Auckland play Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon' and 'The Wall' accompanied by a psychedelic light show and the wonder of the Southern sky! The Pink Floyd Double Header is showing from November 8-13 with tickets at $35. Sure to be a romantic one with two free glasses of wine upon entry. 

But then again you may be seeking an authentically Kiwi experience. If so, there's none better than the Toast Martinborough festival on Sunday November 20.  This famous food and wine festival will showcase New Zealand's best proudce. Tickets are quite steep at $70 a head but you can win free tickets just by picking out your favourite Toast Martinborough promo poster. Find out more here.

The World Cup will be a distant memory before you know it.

- Aleks Vickovich is Online Editor with the New Zealand Visa Bureau, an independent migration consultancy specialising in helping people lodge applications for a Working Holiday Visa to New Zealand.

©Visa Bureau 2003-2010

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

The Rugby World Cup is in full swing and New Zealand is brimming with tourists and working holidaymakers suffering from 'rugby fever'. But there are plenty of other events going on in New Zealand in October to entertain you between matches, from an attempt at the world's biggest haka to a champagne picnic in landscaped gardens.

The Cup quarter finals start on Friday 7 October, and a number of tickets are still available. Beware though, some of the tickets are upwards of $500!

But if you can't get to a World Cup match (or your suffering from an especially severe case of rugby fever) you can still get up close and personal with a piece of history.  The Webb Ellis Cup will be displayed at the Auckland Museum in Purnell from 15 - 22 October, when it will be handed over to the winners of the 2011 World Cup. You can even get a photo with the cup!

There are also a number of non-rugby-related events going down in NZ over October (who would have thought?). For something a little more sophisticated, get down to the Ellesmere Spring Fling, a garden party with champagne, jazz music, art exhibits and theatre performances in the lovely Broadfields New Zealand Landscape Garden in Prebbleton on Sunday 16 October. Tickets are $25 but proceeds will go to a local community care organisation.

The Indian Diwali Festival of Lights will be celebrated with a bang at Queens Wharf in Wellington. Fireworks displays, delicious Indian foods and, according to Hindu belief, the "triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and the renewal of life", all point to a great night out.

For foodies, the Taste of New Zealand festival puts the country's greatest chefs, dishes and cuisines on display. Internationally renowned chefs like Rick Stein, Gary Rhodes and Josh Emett are heading down to NZ to take part in the deliciousness. The festival runs from the 19th to the 22nd of October.

 - Aleks Vickovich is Online Editor at the New Zealand Visa Bureau, an independent consultancy specialising in helping people lodge applications for a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa.

©Visa Bureau 2003-2010

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

New Zealand will proudly host the Rugby World Cup in September and October this year, but if you don’t want to wait until then to see some rugby action there are plenty of games happening to tide you over.  

It doesn’t matter if it is a city, small town or in the countryside surrounded by paddocks, but New Zealand’s landscape isn’t quite right without a set of rugby goal posts. The game was introduced to New Zeland in 1870 by a young man called Charles Monro. Monro was born near Nelson, and spent some time studying in England before returning to his home country. He introduced the game of rugby to friends in Nelson, and the first rugby game in New Zealand was played at Nelson’s Botanical Reserve. A sign now stands on the ground to commemorate the game.

Rugby is New Zealand’s national sport, and when it is the national team, the All Blacks, on the field the whole country gets behind them.

One thing that is different about a rugby game with the All Blacks is the haka, a traditional Maori challenge dance which the All Blacks perform before playing an international team. The most famous haka used is "Ka Mate", originally composed by the Maori chief Te Rauparaha of Ngāti Toa to celebrate a narrow escape from death.

Here are the games coming up before the Rugby World Cup in September.

Rebel Sport Super 14

The Rebel Sport Super 14 between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa is the largest rugby championship in the southern hemisphere. A total of 14 teams play 13 games each to decide the best four teams. Then it is the semi-finals to decide the two finalists. The final is played at the highest ranked winner’s home ground. Games run from February until the end of May at venues in all three countries. New Zealand games are played in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Invercargill.

Tri Nations and Bledisloe Cup

New Zealand also competes annually with Australia (the Wallabies) and South Africa (the Springboks) in the Tri Nation Series, a tough competition that has been running since 1996. The games played between Australia and New Zealand also determine the winner of the Bledisloe Cup each year.

The Tri Nations rugby tournament kicks off with the All Blacks playing South Africa in Auckland on 10 July. Other New Zealand matches are scheduled for 17 July in Wellington (vs South Africa) and 7 August in Christchurch (vs Australia).

There are usually eight games in the Tri Nations, but because of the world cup being held in New Zealand the competition has been reduced to six.

Rugby World Cup

Twenty three centres are to host the teams in New Zealand - 16 in the North Island and seven in the South Island. If you’re going to be here for the entire time, you can do a grand tour of New Zealand while you follow your team!

The event is scheduled to be played over seven weekends from the weekend starting 10 September and culminating the weekend starting 22 October 2011.

-  Get a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa and travel the country!

©Visa Bureau 2003-2010

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

Doubtful Sound is the deepest (421 metres) and second longest (40 kilometres) of the South Island's fjords. It is quite untouched by the modern world – with rare corals, plants and sea animals calling the fjord their home. It is not as accessible as Milford Sound, but joining an overnight excursion onboard a boat will see you dine on fresh crayfish scouped out of the water in front of your eyes while passing ancient glacier carved valleys, high mountain peaks and spectacular waterfalls. 

According to Maori legend, the sounds in Fiordland in New Zealand were created by the god Tu-Te-Raki-Whanoa as a safe place from the stormy seas.

When he split open the earth to form Patea (Doubtful Sound) four young sea gods helped him by using their adzes to cut the four arms of the sound – Deep Cove, Hall Arm, Crooked Arm and First Arm. Doubtful Sound is 10 times the area of the more well-known Milford Sound, and is the playing ground of bottlenose dolphins, fat New Zealand fur seals and the Fiordland crested penguin to name a few.

The fiord was originally named Doubtful Harbour by Captain James Cook, who sailed past it in 1770. He didn’t sail into the inlet because he though it looked a bit tight for safe manoeuvring (hence the name). It was later named Doubtful Sound by whalers and sealers, although technically it is a fjord.

Like other fjords in the area, Doubtful Sound contains two distinct layers of water that don't mix: the top few meters is fresh water, fed by runoff from the mountains, and below is a layer of salt water from the sea.

The top layer is darkened by the forest tannins, which makes it difficult for light to penetrate. So many deep-sea species such as red and black coral, colourful sponges and sub-tropical fish live in quite shallow depths in the sound. The rare corals can be found 10 metres deep here instead of the usual 30 metres that you will find elsewhere.

Some 10,000 years ago a mighty ice-age glacier extended over the region, and its grinding power as it slid towards the sea sculpted the landscape’s deep valleys. As a consequence there are some amazing waterfalls in Doubtful Sound as rains on the piecing mountains plunge down to the sound, particularly during the wetter seasons. In the Hall Arm, the Browne Falls cascades 619 metres; Helena Falls at Deep Cove tumbles 220 metres.

Tours to Doubtful Sound depart from Manapouri and involve a very scenic bus trip across Wilmot Pass. When you reach the fjord, you can explore in a sea kayak or join a water cruise with one of the local operators.

-  Learn more about getting a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa.

©Visa Bureau 2003-2010

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

Next month is the one of the most significant cultural and community festivals in the South Pacific, celebrating New Zealand’s multicultural identity through music, drama, film, arts and food. So if you are on a New Zealand working holiday this is not one to miss.  

The Pasifika Festival is a chance for the Pacific Island communities in Auckland to showcase their traditions, heritage and to extend their hospitality – and they pull out all the stops!

Pasifika Festival runs for 7 days in March, kicking off on March 6 with opening night concert and culminates in the massive festival day on March 12, at Western Springs Park.

Throughout the week there will be various performances and exhibitions taking place around Auckland from the Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Tahiti, Tokelau, Tuvalu, Kiribati and the tangata whenua (New Zealand Māori) communities.

On the big festival day, more than 200,000 people are expected to turn up to for all-day entertainment on three main stages and visit the 10 cultural villages spread throughout the park.
More than 350 stalls will be selling everything from fresh coconuts through to t-shirts, paintings, tapa (barkcloth) and weaving.

Chances are if you are on a working holiday in New Zealand you would have visited Auckland already (the secluded islands, sparkling waters and lush native rainforest nearby are also a big drawcard!).

If not, after the festival hang around for a little bit because the area is really amazing. In just half an hour you can be almost anywhere - sailing to an island, trekking through a rainforest, picnicking on a volcano, sampling wines at a vineyard or wandering a wild, black sand surf beach.

Pasifika Festival
6-12 March
Cost: FREE
w: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Festival day is Saturday 12 March, 10am to 5pm, at Western Springs Park and sports fields, Auckland.
Other events will be held around Auckland during the week.

- Safe and happy travels on your New Zealand working holiday!

©Visa Bureau 2003-2010

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

Let’s face it; a gap year overseas is a wonderful adventure but not always easy on the back pocket. Here is a list of ten of the great things New Zealand has to offer that will give your wallet a break. Sometimes, the best things in life are free.

1. WALK TO THE SUMMIT OF MAUAO – BAY OF PLENTY Grab your rucksack, it’s time for a hike. Mauao is a dormant volcano standing 232 metres above the white sand beaches of Mount Maunganui and the Tauranga Harbour. Mauao is pretty special to the Māori tribes of the Bay of Plenty region, and it is full of native flora and fauna, including the red blooming Pohutukawa tree. The views from the top out towards White Island and the Pacific Ocean are breathtaking. 2. VIEW THE GANNET COLONY AT MURIWAI BEACH – AUCKLAND Muriwai Beach, on Auckland’s west coast, is home to the most accessible gannet colony in New Zealand. Gannets are large black and white seabirds that dive into the water from a height of about 30 metres to catch fish. The gannets return to Muriwai in July to re-establish contact with their lifelong mates and by December their chicks are clamouring for food, so it is a perfect time to watch the parents nosediving into the water at up to 145km per hour in search of fish for greedy chicks. Fur seals can also be seen in spring sunbathing on the rocks below the gannet colony.

5. DRIVE THE SOUTHERN SCENIC ROUTE – SOUTHLAND The Southern Scenic Route stretches around the bottom of the South Island, beginning (or endings) in Dunedin and working through the Catlins region to Invercargill and then meandering up to Te Anau. The route really is a road less travelled and takes in some of the most spectacular scenery New Zealand has to offer. The route passes by towering rainforests, rolling fertile farmlands and golden beaches stretching as far as the eye can see. Along the way is Curio Bay Petrified Forest, one of only two Jurassic forests in the world. Plus you can see Hooker sea lions, New Zealand fur seals, Yellow-Eyed penguins and Hector’s dolphins. 6. SELF GUIDED WINE TOUR – MARLBOROUGH Marlborough means wine in New Zealand, and the region has over 100 vineyards. Most of the wineries have open cellar doors that offer complimentary wine tastings, although no doubt you’ll want to walk away with a few bottles! Located at the top of New Zealand’s South Island, the main city of Blenheim can be reached by car in four and a half hours from Christchurch or within half an hourafter crossing from Wellington on the ferry.

9. FOX & FRANZ JOSEPH GLACIERS - WEST COAST The Fox and Franz Joseph glaciers are among the most accessible in the world to visit. You can easily walk to the foot of these enormous moving ice masses on the West Coast of the South Island. The glaciers descend from the Southern Alps down into the temperate rainforest just 300 metres above sea level. 10. BBQ AT A BEACH OR RESERVE Many parks and beaches all over New Zealand, such as Muriwai Beach, have BBQs to use. Most only charge a $2 ignition fee, so it’s as good as free!

- Want to explore New Zealand? Take the first step and apply for a New Zealand working holiday visa.

©Visa Bureau 2003-2010

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

Ever had a bungy jump? Been blasted down a whitewater river in an inflatable boat? What does it feel like to roll head-over-heels down a hill inside a giant plastic ball? When it comes to adrenaline pumping crazy stuff, New Zealand is the place!

BECOME A HUMAN YO-YO Perhaps what first springs to mind when you think of New Zealand is the bungy jump (pun intended). Bungy was invented in New Zealand! Inspired by the land divers of Pentecost Island and daring leaps made by the Oxford University Dangerous Sport Club, New Zealander A.J. Hackett turned bungy jumping into a business in 1988. Today he has jumps in Auckland and Queenstown, including the wickedly-scary Nevis Highwire - an 8.5 second free-fall above the Nevis River. Put your Platinum Card to good use with a half price bungy jump with Taupo Bungy, one of the country’s leading bungy operators. They are only 10 mins walk from the main centre of Taupo and they have New Zealand’s highest water touch bungy. But there is more than just bungy jumping if you are after some fresh air. Taupo Bungy also have a extreme cliff swing dropping down 38 metres or so before barrelling up again. You can swing seated, in a lay-back style or completely upside down for the full head rush! Queenstown has the Shotover Canyon Swing, which is a bit like being in a playground that’s 35 storeys off the ground; and the Mokai Gravity Canyon in the Manawatu region has a giant bridge swing - a mind-blowing thrill that begins with a 50-metre freefall.

ALL THE RIVERS RUN Surrounded by ocean and riddled with rivers, New Zealand is a fantastic place for water fun. If you are after some serious whitewater action than Queenstown is the place for you – and Queenstown Rafting is who you want to speak to! Queenstown Rafting have two courses, Shotover River and Kawarau River, so you can choose just how rough you want to trip to be. Shotover River is the big daddy – with numerous rapids to get the adrenaline going and a 170 long tunnel to paddle in darkness before a final cascade of rapids to end. Kawarau River is ideal for the first time rafters and adrenaline seekers alike – there is time to sit back and enjoy the spectacular scenery along the way before the unforgettable 400m dog leg rapid to finish. Queenstown Rafting offers 20 per cent discount for Platinum Card holders – so you could do both! In Taranaki you can try dam dropping - a plunge down 30 metres of rushing water. This particular kind of madness is a form of river sledging, where you conquer white water rapids armed only with a body board, helmet and flippers. In Eastland you’ll find another kind of river fun at Rere Falls. Here you can slide down a 60-metre natural water slide - "Woohoo!" doesn’t begin to describe it.

GOING DOWNHILL Try travelling down a hill inside a large, inflatable ball – yep, zorbing! Warm water is often added to make the experience even more fun. Rotorua is the place for some great zorbing. Dune surfing is great on the giant sand hills of Cape Reinga and the Hokianga. The walking up is the hard work, but the zooming down is a total blast. Heliskiing is all about no compromises. It’s for adventurers who are seeking pure adrenalin and pure freedom. New Zealand’s World Heritage alpine parks offer all these ingredients, plus the added benefit of breathtaking scenery to fill those few idle seconds at the beginning and end of each run.

NEED FOR SPEED Propelled by a water jet system that was invented by a Kiwi, jet boats can navigate shallow, fast-running rivers at amazing speeds. These ridiculously fast boats can do full 360˚ spins, and are one of the essential Kiwi experiences for travellers to New Zealand. Shotover Jet in Queenstown is one of the best with over two million people having caught the canyons with them since 1970. Best yet, Platinum Card holders get 40 per cent off on a jet boat ride with Shotover Jet! Reach parts of New Zealand that can’t be reached by road on a quad bike safari! Zoom through the forest, along beaches and across farmland – all while on a serious bike beast. Top quad-biking areas include Northland’s Ninety-Mile Beach, the Woodhill Forest and Muriwai Beach in Auckland, the Gannet Colony at Cape Kidnappers, and Hanmer Springs in the South Island.

- Check out the Visa Bureau Platinum Card site for the full discount and offer details for crazy New Zealand Activities like these and enjoy your New Zealand working holiday!

©Visa Bureau 2003-2010

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

Nineteen-year-old Bronwen Rees started uni this year, but realised it was the wrong place and wrong time for her to study. She has now taken a gap year and says she has never regretted that decision.

An unplanned gap year is currently turning out to be the best year of my life!

I've been to Austria and worked in a 5-star chalet as a chalet hostess and then if it couldn't get any better I am now umpiring and working in the land of the Kiwis, while living with my man.

A year ago, I was what you would call an average student, taking my A levels expecting reasonable enough grades to get me in what I thought was the uni of my choice. In fact this year I did start uni, however, it didn't last. Once there I realised almost immediately that this is not what I wanted, so to the disapprovement of most of those who surrounded me, I quit. But now I can only say one thing and that's figures up to them.

I have just completed a ski season in Austria - no I don't speak German, no wasn't the most amazing skier but, hay, I liked the sport and well why shouldn't I give a new language a try? I've learnt one haven't I?

I'm going to be completely honest with you, it wasn't easy I have never been that far away from family for such a long period of time but the surroundings were so beautiful, the people I worked with were just lovely (most of the time), the chalet was phenomenal and an A for me, I was kept busy most of the time. I worked five days out of seven, working evening and breakfast shifts, and sometimes changing rooms; that left me the entire afternoon to do what I pleased, and well of course I skied. From Dec to April, I was skiing four to five days out of the seven and now consider myself quite good at skiing.

This is not only area where I have improved, I'm far more confident and have the people skills that most working environments require as well as a huge amount of work experience under my belt. Now I can't forget the most important things: the mountains had so much skiing available to me both piste and off piste; the social life was OK,  I have to admit it was ideal for me as I'm not a huge drinker but there were so many local towns offering much more to do. I can honestly say that this was the greatest experience and time of my life.

Until now that is ... I am currently living in New Zealand and yes it has not stopped raining for nearly a week, and its freezing cold and only going to get colder but I come from England so let's be honest its no worse than what I'm used to. And I have just visited the adrenaline filled town of Queenstown and Milford Sound, a place that contains the most stunning scenery in the world, so I am happy to tell you that the weather has not and will not dampen my spirits.

I will be working in Dunedin until July in a Thai restaurant, waitressing will be my trade. Then for what all this is for, one month to travel the two beautiful islands and do all those things that should be done in a place like this. We plan to hire a campervan and visit those must-see places and do those must-do things. I am out here with my boyfriend, he is playing rugby, I have been welcomed into his club with the wonderful Kiwi hospitality that can only be raved about and in fact tonight I am heading out as a flapper to one of their socials. I, though, have chosen to leave the rugby to the boys and decided to experience the most popular girls sport here. Netball. 

I both play and umpire the sport back in England and while being a popular sport with girls there, I can simply say I have never seen anything on the scale New Zealand has. I have been umpiring at The Edgar centre in Dunedin  where they play over 50 games just on a Saturday, I'd say that's a tad few more then eight a night. I have not had the opportunity to play but that has not bothered me in the slightest, I have been encouraged to work for my regional level of umpiring. As mentioned the hospitality of the Kiwis has just been wonderful and through my boyfriend's rugby club we have been invited to dine with many members, offered weekends away and invited to the homes of many of the lads when they break up for their holidays to both stay and experience their hobbies and family. I am most grateful for where I am and who I have met even if it does rain for my entire stay.  

I can't say much more on New Zealand at the moment, however in a few months time I hope to be talking non-stop about the place, I simply cannot wait for the rest of this experience. My only fear is that it will end far to soon and  I will have to return back to my home and start uni this September.

What surprises me most is that this is the last thing anyone expected me to do, I was told again and again by college, friends and certain members of my family to complete uni and then do as I please. All I can say is I'm glad I didn't listen to any of them and well just simply followed my heart and head. My advice to anyone in even just considering a gap year or seriously thinking about it is ... DO IT!

- Where are you on your New Zealand working holiday? Don't forget to send us your blog entries!

©Visa Bureau 2003-2010

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.