BootsnAll Travel Community

I've been debating over how much to pack for my WHV in New Zealand. I really want to pack light, but given that I'll be spending 2/3 or so of my time sitting in one place working, it seems like it might make sense to take some additional/nicer clothes. I'm more likely to take hospitality jobs rather than fruit-picking work. I'm not talking like a big-ass suitcase or anything either; maybe just a small duffel.

Anyone with experience care to share? I would appreciate it

Since you're actually going to be living and working there, I'd say pack enough so that people don't talk about you behind your back. You might end up having to buy stuff you don't really need just because you were trying to pack too light.

"Who's Justin?"
"He's the guy with two shirts and those bluish pants."

If you're going to be traveling on from there, send the extra stuff home surface mail and it will be in Nebraska in a few months.

Most importantly, don't forget to pack a frisbee -- they're hard to come by outside North America.

I had a better idea -- buy work clothes from a thrift shop at home and abandon them or give them away when you go. I did that in Nicaragua (not work clothes, but t-shirts) and came home with a near empty bag and hardly any laundry.

New Zealand has decent Salvation Army thrift stores in most towns. Unless you're a total fashion snob, you'll probably be much happier just buying a few work clothes once you get there.