Finding Work / Odd Jobs - S. Pacific?

tongabound · 24-06-2009, 16:41

Anyone have any experience or information on finding little odd jobs while in the South Pacific? I will be out there at the end of the year, and while I am getting my business going, I just wonder what could be done to hold me over. I don't need much (at all), just enough to keep me afloat (ah, hah, good one, I know!)

Thanks!

GordMay · 25-06-2009, 05:49

Tourist permits specifically prohibit working in Tonga.

Tonga has a high rate of unemployment, and the most significant contributor to Tonga’s economy is remittances from Tongans living abroad (there may be more Tongans living abroad, than within Tonga itself).

Tonga may not be the ideal location for a foreigner “looking for ways to make money that do not involve having to physically go to a job everyday”.

tongabound · 25-06-2009, 09:34

Thanks, GordMay. I will continue to think outside the box, then.

NoTies · 29-06-2009, 21:45

Depends what your skills are. I tutored at a nautical school for a short time in Tonga last year at the request of their government (no work permit, no hassle) and I am currently in Fiji on work permit as reverse osmosis technician and superyacht engineer (shore based). Fiji immigration generally approves 6 month work permits for high end tourism based jobs in 3-4 days if you have the skills and an offer from a Fiji company. Make sure you have a police report from your domicile country when applying.

Ocean Girl · 29-06-2009, 22:08

I haven't been to Tonga but I do know many people who work their way around the world by working on other cruising boats. Hair cuts, mechanic, carpentry, canvas/sail repair. I haven't seen any negative reaction or resentment by the locals about working on the other cruising boats, (but could be wrong). I have seen resentment when cruisers go ashore and take jobs from the locals.
Erika

michaelmrc · 29-06-2009, 22:46

this is a question i have often asked myself. if i pickup and cruise tomorrow can i find employment abroad. as a computer/electronics technician i wouldnt think that this would be a problem but hey ive been wrong many times before

tongabound · 30-06-2009, 11:53

All good advice. Yeah, I would like to help other cruisers, not take jobs from locals. I was thinking about rigging. I have read about some people doing massage.

drob · 13-07-2009, 14:57

Hi
People from Tonga, and other islands, often go to NZ or Oz to find work so casual work is unlikely. Both NZ and Oz have seasonal work fruit picking etc. that will let you pay some of the bills and experience the country. You'll probably need to be out of the islands by November anyway.

24-06-2009, 16:41	#1
tongabound Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: CA Boat: JBoat, J33 Posts: 56	Finding Work / Odd Jobs - S. Pacific? Anyone have any experience or information on finding little odd jobs while in the South Pacific? I will be out there at the end of the year, and while I am getting my business going, I just wonder what could be done to hold me over. I don't need much (at all), just enough to keep me afloat (ah, hah, good one, I know!) Thanks!

25-06-2009, 05:49	#2
GordMay Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W Boat: C.L.O.D. (Cruiser Living On Dirt) Posts: 12,524 Images: 232	Tourist permits specifically prohibit working in Tonga. Tonga has a high rate of unemployment, and the most significant contributor to Tonga’s economy is remittances from Tongans living abroad (there may be more Tongans living abroad, than within Tonga itself). Tonga may not be the ideal location for a foreigner “looking for ways to make money that do not involve having to physically go to a job everyday”. __________________ Gord May ~~_/)_~~ (Gord & Maggie - "Southbound") "If you didn't have time/$ to do it right in the first place, when will you get the time/$ to fix it?"

29-06-2009, 21:45	#4
NoTies Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Vuda Point, Fiji Islands Boat: Whiting 29' extended "Nightcap" Posts: 651 Images: 2	Depends what your skills are. I tutored at a nautical school for a short time in Tonga last year at the request of their government (no work permit, no hassle) and I am currently in Fiji on work permit as reverse osmosis technician and superyacht engineer (shore based). Fiji immigration generally approves 6 month work permits for high end tourism based jobs in 3-4 days if you have the skills and an offer from a Fiji company. Make sure you have a police report from your domicile country when applying. __________________ Pete Positively, socially deviant.

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25-06-2009, 09:34	#3
tongabound Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: CA Boat: JBoat, J33 Posts: 56	Thanks, GordMay. I will continue to think outside the box, then.

29-06-2009, 22:08	#5
Ocean Girl Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Kemah, Texas Boat: Cape Dory 30 cutter s/v Ocean Girl Posts: 800	I haven't been to Tonga but I do know many people who work their way around the world by working on other cruising boats. Hair cuts, mechanic, carpentry, canvas/sail repair. I haven't seen any negative reaction or resentment by the locals about working on the other cruising boats, (but could be wrong). I have seen resentment when cruisers go ashore and take jobs from the locals. Erika

29-06-2009, 22:46	#6
michaelmrc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver Island Boat: 27ft catalina Posts: 140	this is a question i have often asked myself. if i pickup and cruise tomorrow can i find employment abroad. as a computer/electronics technician i wouldnt think that this would be a problem but hey ive been wrong many times before

30-06-2009, 11:53	#7
tongabound Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: CA Boat: JBoat, J33 Posts: 56	All good advice. Yeah, I would like to help other cruisers, not take jobs from locals. I was thinking about rigging. I have read about some people doing massage.

13-07-2009, 14:57	#8
drob Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NZ Boat: Atkinson 14m, Touche Posts: 5	Hi People from Tonga, and other islands, often go to NZ or Oz to find work so casual work is unlikely. Both NZ and Oz have seasonal work fruit picking etc. that will let you pay some of the bills and experience the country. You'll probably need to be out of the islands by November anyway.