Navigating through Transnational Experiences of Chinese Working Holiday Makers in New Zealand

Abstract

In 2008, New Zealand took the lead globally in offering a working holiday scheme to Chinese youth following the Free Trade Agreement between the two countries. This scheme allows Chinese participants to live, work, and/or travel for 12 months in New Zealand, which attracted huge attention and sparked enormous interest among young Chinese. Against this backdrop, the primary focus of this case study is to examine the transnational experiences of Chinese working holiday makers (WHMs) in New Zealand through a cultural lens, highlighting the distinctive characteristics of this cohort. In particular, this case study explores the factors that motivated young Chinese to become WHMs in New Zealand. Moreover, this case sheds light on their dual-layered working experience; namely how they adapted to the positive working dynamics in New Zealand compared to the working experience back in China while still navigating through perceived precarious situations. This case further discusses how Chinese individuals have transformed their understanding of sociocultural norms and parental expectations through working holidays. Furthermore, the case study examines the broader economic impact of this growing cohort on New Zealand, providing insights into the implications of the working holiday scheme. © The Author 2024