But be warned: given persistent unemployment , these are almost impossible to obtain unless you have an offer of employment from a prospective employer who can prove there are no New Zealanders available to take the job. The only significant exception is the Working Holiday Scheme (details at www.immigration.govt.nz/work/ ), for those aged 18 to 30, which gives you a temporary work permit valid for twelve months. Four thousand Brits (plus 250 Irish citizens, 400 Canadians, 250 Dutch and assorted French, Japanese, Koreans and Malaysians) are eligible each year on a first-come-first-served basis starting on July 1, so apply as far in advance as you can: you'll need a passport, £30, evidence of a return ticket to New Zealand (or the funds to pay for it), and the equivalent of NZ$4200 (sponsorship from a New Zealand citizen is not accepted in place of this sum). Visitors who choose to work illegally run the risk of being caught in one of the periodic crackdowns.

Once in New Zealand there are plenty of opportunities for casual paid work, and in addition there are organized work programmes - both paid and voluntary. If you are thinking of working, one of the best contacts is New Zealand Job Search (tel 09/358 4874, jobs@acb.co.nz ) located at Auckland Central Backpackers, 16 Shortland St, Auckland.