Working Holiday in New Zealand in an exciting scheme where you can gain valuable experience by your own funding to travel throughout New Zealand. IRD number is an unique 9-digit number given by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) for your employer to deduct tax from your earnings.
How are you applying IRD number and getting full tax refund in one day? I'm going to share with you my exciting stories!
Getting an IRD Number in one day
1. Telephone Number
This is the first thing you need to do after you have reached the NZ airport. There are three major telecommunication companies:-
Telekom
Vodafone
2 Degrees.
I bought Vodafone because everyone is going to that shop -.- Telekom is an awesome company that you might want to consider. 2 Degrees is not available in the airport, you can find it in the town. But bear in mind that their reception is not so good compared to Telekom or Vodafone.
2.Bank Account
There are several banks in New Zealand:-
ANZ
BNZ
ASB
Kiwibank
Kiwibank is very convenient because it is integrated with post office. I opened a Kiwibank account after I have settled down. You need to prepare a copy of of your working holidays visa, passport, driving license, phone number, and your address in New Zealand for the application. You can get a bank card right after your application. You can also apply for a Visa card for free if you have settled down in NZ.
*you can apply for your IRD Number in Kiwibank if you are not hurry.*
3. Offer Letter
I was so lucky to secure a placement in kiwi pack house within one day. For those who are interested in Eastpack, you may e-mail to the HR Manager directly to schedule an interview. [please get the e-mail address from me if you are interested]. She will issue an Offer Letter right after the interview. This Offer Letter is very crucial to obtain your IRD Number within one day.
4. IRD Number Application
Go to the IRD Branch is the fastest method you can get your IRD Number within one day. Try to make an appointment before you go to the IRD branch by phone call. You can either go to the Takapuna branch/Manukau branch in Auckland. Get ready your copy of working holiday visa, passport, translated driving license, bank account details, phone number, offer letter and the completed Individual tax [IR 595] application form. Tell the officer that you need the IRD Number urgently by showing them the Offer Letter.
*you can get their IRD Number fast without an Offer Letter provided if you are good in bullshit.*
Then you will get an IRD Number by a phone call from IRD within 24 hours.
Getting your full tax refund in one day
There are two methods where you can get your tax refund before you leave New Zealand.
online application [The IRD Officer advice me to apply it but I have never tried it before. Apply it 1-2 months before you leave new zealand]
go to the IRD Branch
Friday
I reached Auckland on Friday bacause my flights back to Durianland is on Tuesday morning. I went to the Inland Revenue Department to settle my tax refund because I didn't know how to do it online. I filled in Individual tax return [IR 3] form together with my flight details to speed up the tax refund.
When I met up with the tax specialist, I asked them in regards to the tax relief in New Zealand. The tax specialist said that if your country has a DTA with New Zealand, you may be exempt from NZ income tax. There are many countries that had signed the DTA with New Zealand including Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China and most of the Europe Countries.
For instance, if you are a student visiting NZ, a resident of the other Contracting State [MY/SG/TW/CN] and is present in the NZ solely for the purpose of his education or training shall not be taxed in NZ on payments (including salary or wages) to the extent to which he receives such payments for the purposes of his maintenance can be exempt from tax payment.
After the long discussion with the specialist, I was being exempted from the tax payment and entitled to get the full tax refund. The tax specialist said it is possible to issue a cheque on Monday.
Monday
I was hopeful to get the cheque and cash before I go back home but I did have high expectation. I met up with my best friend and we did some shopping together. I got a call from IRD to get the cheque around 3 o'clock.
3.05 p.m.
My friend and I took a bus to go to the IRD branch. The bus was moving like a turtle and we have decided to take a cab to IRD branch because it is closing around 4.30p.m.
3.45 p.m.
The clock are ticking but the taxi has yet to come. Finally we saw the taxi and we reached IRD around 4.o5 p.m.
[Advise: Never take a cab in NZ because it's bloody expensive. It cost around NZD 68 for 15 mins drive FML]
4.05 p.m.
I ran to the IRD to get my cheque. They have issued an ASB cheque to me. I ran to the bank to get the cash because the ASB bank are closing at 4.30pm too.
4.15 p.m.
They requested to photocopy my passport as a procedural requirement. After the long checking procedure by the ASB, ASB could not give the cash due to the signatory problem on the cheque. ASB asked me to go back to the IRD to ask for clarifications.
4.45 p.m.
The IRD has closed when I ran back. I felt so desperate because both IRD and ASB has closed! I met a staff in IRD exit and she adviced me to bank into Kiwibank instead of taking the cash instantly. I followed her advice and ran to the Kiwibank bank.
5.25 p.m.
When I reached Kiwibank, I realized that ASB Bank did not return my passport!!! HOW AM I GOING BACK HOME TOMORROW MORNING???! I knocked at the ASB's door desperately and I saw an angel waiting for me to get my passport back! They did not have my contact number and I felt so touch when I saw the worker were waiting for me. I can't imagine the consequence if I did not get my passport back on time.
[Lesson learnt: Passport is the most important thing, you can lose everything but not your passport]
So that's how I got my full tax refund in a day. I thought it was the happy ending...
The beginning of nightmare I received a letter from the IRD after I reached home. They said that I was not entitled to get full refund under the law because they have construed the law wrongly. So I have to pay them back a big sum of money.
I appealed by giving them 1001 reasons why I should not pay them back but my application was being rejected.
FINALLY, my tax relief was granted last week after several appeals!
Congratulations to me! *claps*
Conclusion:
Working holidays in New Zealand has filled with so many ups and downs. Many wonderful things happen when you initiate. I might be late to be called to the bar, but I want to be proud when I look back when I reach mid-20s in a few years time. All I want is to meet the best people I could meet at a point of time, tried everything that I wanted to try (cooking, working, woofing, helpX, farming, couch surfing, hitch hiking etc) and done the best that I could have done.
I walked away to talk to local kiwi and trying to understand how their life was. Learning Maori language with all my Maori brothers and sisters was one of my best experiences in NZ! Understanding the place is definitely more important than having photos to proof you have set foot there!
Warren Buffet believes that the best investment you can make is to invest in yourself. The more you learn, the more you earn. I have spent my precious time to invest in myself in this beautiful journey. Find something that you like to do and you will never work a day in your life. Let's start investing in ourselves to figure out what is our true passion and interest :D
Guess where is my favourite place in New Zealand? 1. Lake Tekapo 2. Opotiki 3. Queenstown 4. Christchurch 5. Oamaru 6. Kaikoura 7. Glenorchy 8. Fairlie 9. Wanaka Please choose one and send the answer to Googlemei Page. >>The Malaysian Winner is entitle to get a FREE BBH Card :D
"Two roads diverged in a wood, I took the one less traveled by"-Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken
It has been almost eight month since I completed my studies in University. While everyone is busy completing their pupillage before being called to the bar, I am still happily having my looooong holidays. Many people do not really understand why I am wasting my time for those "nonsense".
Many wonderful things happen when you initiate. I might be late to be called to the bar, but I want to be proud when I look back when I reach mid-20s in a few years time. All I want is to meet the best people I could meet at a point of time, tried everything that I wanted to try and done the best that I could have done. I have actually spending time to invest in myself in the holidays when I walked away to talk to local kiwi and trying to understand how their life was. Understanding the place is definitely more important than having photos to proof you have set foot there!
Warren Buffet believes that the best investment you can make is to invest in yourself. The more you learn, the more you earn. Find something that you like to do and you will never work a day in your life. Let's start investing in ourselves to figure out what is our true passion and interest.
October, the month of investment and transformation from inner to outer of myself. I will keep you updates about my transformation!
What is contentment? It is a state of being satisfied with what you have. I believe that we should bear in mind that there are always room for improvement even we are contended. After having a quality conversation with my friend today, I truly understand why kiwi lifestyle is so much different compared to most of the countries in the world.
We used to live in a place that keep us from content with what we have. Everyone (including myself) has always influenced by surroundings or media to be demanding. For instance, when a girl look like celebrities, specific lifestyles, marry a rich man or earning more money then will make her very happy. What is the problems with us now?
I never seen any youth in kiwiland (so far) using smartphone in comparison with most of my friends in Malaysia. You can see the rich kiwi wearing torn shirts and jeans like a normal people walking around the town, there is not much people carrying branded stuff in contrast with what we normally see in Asean countries. Kiwi (New Zealand people) are contented with what they are having now! It is the main factor that they have a longer lifespan and younger look!
I think the main problem that we are all facing now is lack of self confidence. We often being brainwash in the materialistic world that money can buy happiness. The only method to overcome this problem is to do the human revolution in order to determine what we want in the life despite of other influences. It is important to differentiate what we "want" and what we "need".
Frankly speaking, sometimes I will feel some disappointment after I came to kiwiland for 2 months. Unlike the stable working schedule as I expected, as a result I pokkai. Hahahaha. Then how can I save money to travel and to do the things I want as I imagined? Then we spent rest of our time/holidays rotting in a super small town to waste our working holidays.
BUT wait, I am feeling happy right now although everything is out of my expectation. I never knew that the tiny mini small town that I am currently living is soooo beautiful espcially the wharf and beaches. It is more beautiful than anywhere else that I have visited so far.
Moreover, I had bunch of lovely friends in the small town! A bestie or roomie that we share every moment together. A housemate who share with me many adventure stories. A super duper childish friend that have the power to cheer me up. A teacher that have many insightful thoughts. A blackface that can really smile and sharing his lessons with me. A pair of lovey dovey that can crazy with me. A bro that we can talk everything under the sun. A friend who is really eager to earn money. A bunch of cooking-mates that fattening together. And many kiwi ama/agong to crap and have fun! Look, I am really appreciate and thankful for what I have right now.
Last but not least, I want create value and beautiful memories in my remaining two months in the beautiful kiwiland. Take my time to adventure, explore and discover :)
I have finally done with law school! A chapter finish and a new chapter begins!
Let me refresh what I have done in four years time.
1.Enshrine Gohonzon
I think this is the greatest thing I want to yell haha! I finally took up faith and courage to do it despite so many challenges. Just do it!
2.Study
No, I did not graduate with a first class degree :( I felt a little bit disappointed. But no worries, I have spent the time to explore and expose to many things other than just studying.
3.Exchange and Travel.
My uni has always filled of fun due to the frequent exchange to other countries such as UK, US, JPN. I love travelling. It can really reflect your character and tell you which path do you want to go in the future.
2009-Japan
2010-Uk,Belgium,Netherlands,Taiwan
2011-Usa, Thailand
2012-Korea
2013-Philippine,NZ
Many more places to explore, I need a good camera.
4.Growth
Yes no doubt I have grown up *physically?* Holy shit haha! I think I have grown up mentally as well. I don't care about the tiny mini things anymore. But, I am still a cry baby, this emotional problems is the big problems that I am trying to encounter. Determination, Focus and Meticulous is my main focus too.
5. Friends
Yes, I truly realized that how important friends are. QUALITY is outweigh QUANTITY for hundred times. Girlfriends,coursemates,golfmates,soka comrades,lecturer and my Family cum best friends. You are the best companion and support! Thank you so much!
6. Inspirational
Dare to Dream! There are so many things we can achieve by merely using our brain. Think about it and do not afraid of anything else. Then chant for it, do your best. I believe the best outcome will approach you naturally. Do not even care about others comments or criticism. Follow your heart if you think it is right. I learnt to put 100% effort in everything I do, however sometimes the "cincai" character can really help to ease your worries and stress. Ultimately, you will realize that your worries is nothing compared to other more important things happened in the world.
7. Vow
I hope to do my human revolution and hence kosen rufu. Read more to share with my blogger. I want to find out who I really are and do what I really excel. I believe practice makes perfect. Expand my potential in each and every beautiful day.
I hope to find a good master in my pupillage that makes me realized who I am, to live my life to the fullest!
Gonna spend few months to widen my horizon, human revolution and have fun!
I'm all ready for New Zealand and it's my resolution to write at least 2 posts per week to share with y'all! Hehe ;)
I've always been facinated by the 100% pure New Zealand! Guess what, I have been approved for the NZWH 2013/14 in the second round application! :D And we are going to Auckland next month!
There are so many things to be settled such as accommodation, job seeking etc. So for those who applied the NZWH 2013/14 visa successfully, kindly leave a message here to further discuss our itinerary, trips and problems together in the facebook private group haha!
Let's take many many beautiful pictures together!
I am hoping to write more blog posts about my NZWH too :D
“We met for a reason, either you’re a blessing or a lesson.” – Frank Ocean
I honestly believe that every person we meet in this world is here to stay in our lives forever at some capacity or to stay there long enough to teach us something about life and ourselves and then go away. I keep a journal next to my bed titled, “What did you teach me?” Those persons that come into my life and then end up leaving get sections in this journal. I try not to get sad about them leaving, instead I try to figure out why they were ever there to begin with and record what they taught me. It helps me to become more self aware and to grow; many times preventing repeat events from happening in my future.
I thought most of them can't make it due to the presentation and assignments, but I am so grateful that everything turns well :)
I choose 99* Garden at Jaya 99 prudential building because I like the conducive environment. Also, the boss are willing to provide the whole area for us that night!!
This is a night where every different "gang" are mixing together irrespective of races and language and lecturer or student!
Laugh.Fun.Joy.Love
3 mustakers of da class!
Muar Price and Segamat Princess
Party Rocks to the max!! Professor and lecturers dancing gangnam style happily!
After 4 years of training and polishing, the diamond-like potential that embedded inside our heart has finally revealed! The bling bling night has made everyone of you stunning, magnificent & flashy! Love you guys, the night won't be young without you xx
“Hope,” Beethoven cried, “you forge the heart into steel.” Hope is confidence. Hope is determination. Hope is courage. And faith is the ultimate expression of hope. Belief fortifies the heart. Don't worry too much about how your future will be. Get your things done now! Enjoy every single moment now! It's good to have faith and hope, do your best no matter what realities are. I believe the best will come to you eventually! GOOD LUCK!
“It’s amazing how far you are willing to go when someone believes in you.” - Katie Kacvinsky, First Comes Love
You know, I had never heard this quote until today, I don’t think I ever realized how much I owe my successes to others. I was so lucky to be born to such amazing parents and siblings that ALWAYS believed in me, to have mentors that reminded me daily of their belief and to be surrounded by the most amazing friends throughout my life. It’s one thing to believe in yourself but knowing that you have others that believe in you just as much as you believe in yourself, and especially when maybe you have days that you don’t believe in yourself, that is truly special.
To all of you that have believed and me and still believe in me, thank you for helping me to succeed and to continue to chase my dreams. I wouldn’t be anywhere I am in my life today without you and I need you to know that I am aware of this.
