Hostel Work: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
What is it like to work in one of New Zealand’s most popular backpacker jobs? Some backpackers stay months, even years, working in hostels for its great balance of socialising and saving money while earning money. The most effective way of doing the latter is working in a hostel.
Working in a hostel has its own rules and lessons to learn, which you can figure out for yourself or get a sneak preview by reading the list below. Once you have learned the lessons, you’ll find that working in a hostel is a rewarding part of your New Zealand gap year experience.
Have a look at our job listings to find your very own backpacker hostel job in New Zealand.
1. Being Chatty is the Best Way to Travel Cheap
Every backpacker checking into your hostel has done quite the journey to get here and has no doubt learned some money-saving tricks along the way. It could be a great WWOOFing host, an awesome hike, or a discount. On top of that, many backpackers who are coming to the end of their trip will be looking to get rid of excess luggage, from camping gear to phone credit to bus tickets. Be social, rather than just going through the motions of checking someone in.
© Pixabay2. Getting to Know the Locals is Crucial
Most hostels have a travel desk or at least retail a few local activities over the counter. This means that local activity providers will advertise at the hostel and visit regularly. Introduce yourself to them. Chances are you will score a free activity, especially if you are working in the hostel for a while. Activity providers know that there is no better sales pitch than: “Yeah, I did the bungy last week it was awesome!”
© AJ Hackett3. Having an Open Mind is a Job Requirement
Hostel crowds are unlike any other. Never have we witnessed so many walks of life in one place. (Seriously, look at 19 Backpackers You Will Meet in Every Hostel). Each traveller brings their own culture and habits. Being accepting of others is a must when working in a hostel. Everybody is different and you are different too.
© Pxhere4. Always Listen to the Boss
Hostel managers have seen it all, seriously. Some of the stories they have to tell are actually quite incredible. As a result, they usually forge strong characters and what they say goes. If you are the type to have new ideas and want to improve your workplace, you will have to put in place a constructive and calm approach.
© Imgur5. Never Sleep with Somebody that Just Checked in
Backpackers are unpredictable. Chances are that this one-night-stand will change his/herplan and stay around for another 2 weeks to explore the area. You are in for 14 days of awkward moments around the property. Get to know them a bit better and see if this will be a good idea.
© pxhere6. Long-termers will be Your Best Friends
Long-termers pretty much run the place in most hostels. They have their habits, their “spots” and their games. Being friends with them means that your stay as staff will go much smoother and you’ll get the respect that you deserve. Plus they probably work in a store or a cafe nearby. There’s potential for free mochas on your day off!
© pxhere7. Cooking Tremendously Helps Reduce a Weekly Budget
The #1 tip to save money on the road is to cook for yourself. Every hostel has a fully working kitchen and this will save you tens of dollars each week against buying food in restaurants or a fast food joint. Here’s just some super cheap and easy meals to cook in a hostel.
© pxhere8. The “Free Food” Shelf is the Best Idea Ever
Speaking of food, watch the free food shelf in your hostel. You can score some pretty neat ingredients for dinner. The best time to spy on it would be around 11am when most people have just finished checking out. If this becomes a habit though, offer to cook for a few other long-termers from time to time. Sharing a meal is a great social catalyser. Plus, no one wants to look like a hoarder.
© NZPocketGuide.com9. Drinking is Kind of a Big Thing in Hostels
“Dear liver, I am sorry for what I have put you through when working in a hostel…” Kidding! But this is true: every evening in a hostel, there is a good reason to have a drink, whether its to celebrate an arrival or a departure, to celebrate a new job, the purchase of a car, or because it is Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday… Ok, pretty much any reason goes.
© pixabay10. Saying Goodbye is Part of the Job
As much as working in a hostel is about being part of the lives of so many amazing people, it also means that you’ll be saying goodbye to people you got to know and love quite regularly. When feeling the blues, just look forward to hitting the road again. You will probably catch up with friends sometime soon. New Zealand is not that big.
© pixabayMore About Working and Hostels in New Zealand
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- MBIE Immigration and Workers Rights (Working rights in New Zealand - Updated [2024])
- Immigration New Zealand (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2024])
- Stats NZ (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2024])
- Council websites (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
- New Zealand Customs Service (Customs and Biosecurity - Updated [2024])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
