WHAT YOU NEED TO HIGHLIGHT IN YOUR JOB OFFER:
• A contact person and/or company name
• Physical and website address
• Name and title of a contact person
• Email address and telephone number.
• The proposed date
• Daily itinerary (ie end destination, activities, etc)
• Whether you are looking for a guide or driver/guide
WE SUGGEST YOU CHECK THE REGULATIONS ON THESE TOPICS AS YOU PLAN:
• Tourism activities (especially involving adventure)
• Access to public conservation areas, ie National Parks etc
• Tour driver log book hours, ie driving time, breaks etc
• Vehicle licencingand use
• Worksafe –ie Health and Safety obligations
• Outdoor Safety and First Aid etc
• Visa and work permit rules
• ProGuides member rules and obligations.
VISA REQUIREMENTS
• A TOUR GUIDE (or driver/guide) will be responsible for day to day management and running of the tour and its outcomes. The tour guide will give ongoing tour commentary.
• TOUR GUIDES GENERALLY REQUIRE A WORK VISA
• A TOUR ESCORT will be an accompanying person who has no day to day management of the tour. Will be a contact person and/or interpreter only for clients.
• IN SOME, CASES ESCORTS ARE VISA EXEMPT – CHECK WITH NZ IMMIGRATION
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/about-visa/tour-escort-visitor-visa
PASSENGER VEHICLE REGULATIONS COACH / VAN / CAR
• You must use a vehicle that has a current NZ Transport Services License (TSL)
• This is regardless of whether the vehicle is a commercial or rental vehicle.
• A private vehicle cannot be used without certification
• Coach operators in NZ will hold a TSL for their vehicles.
• Rental vehicle companies may challenge the purpose of their vehicle for hire or reward without proof of the driver holding a TSL and/or driver licence passenger endorsement.
• Fines apply for not adhering to the New Zealand Transport Authority regulations.
• More information can be found at: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/commercial-driving/transport-service-licences/
• Some ProGuides members in the Find A Guide section may loan out their TSL license for a fee.
PASSENGER LICENSING REGULATIONS
• The DRIVER of the vehicle transporting your guests must have a current NZ passenger endorsement on their driver licence.
DRIVER HOURS & LOG BOOK - The driver must keep a log book and uphold
• A cumulative 13 hour work day including 2 rest breaks of at least 30 minutes each.
• Drivers must only work a maximum of five and a half hours before having a break, and
• After a cumulative 13 hr work day, take a minimum of 10 hours rest break.
• After a 70 hour cumulative work period the driver must have a full 24 hour break away from the tour and vehicle.
• WORK TIME DEFINITION - Not only includes driving but also loading, unloading, cleaning vehicle, waiting, any other paid employment.
• More information can be found at: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/commercial-driving/commercial-safety/work-time-and-logbook-requirements/
NATIONAL PARKS & CONSERVATION AREAS
• Any commercial tourism activity on public conservation land (national parks, scenic reserves etc) must have a concession to operate.
VEHICLE - This means you need to hold
• a current permit (concession) for the vehicle to travel through conservation areas and to park at the conservation area. Most coach operators have these.
DRIVER / GUIDE
• needs a guiding permit for non planned ad hoc short walk activity in the conservation areas, ie you will need a concession or arrange to procure one should you advertise visits to conservation areas within your itinerary.
VISITING CONSERVATION LAND
PROGUIDES / DOC NATIONAL GUIDING CONCESSION
ProGuides NZ holds a Department of Conservation National Concession for Guiding on Public Conservation Land.
This is a limited concession for short walks, photostops and picnics along the way.Does not cover conservation land worded in your itinerary.
ProGuides members are able to opt into this group concession. They can use it on your tour and will generally charge a usage fee and the local levy.
Fees are nominal and payable to Department of Conservation, not ProGuides.
Contact DOC for further information (or ProGuides on info@proguides.co.nz)
NEW ZEALAND HEALTH & SAFETY REGULATIONS - WORKSAFE
Department of LabourNZ outlines obligations and rights of employer, employee or other operatives. It is designed to guide you in
• Management and avoidance of accidents in the workplace and field
• Outdoor safety management
• Duty of care of clients
• First aid requirements
• Understand culpability, ie legal responsibility.
• ProGuides is currently working on a comprehensive web page linking obligations under our DOC National Concession for Guiding on Public Conservation Land with the Health & Safety in the Workplace regulations (Worksafe). Other links:
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
In New Zealand, expectation is that the tour / driver guides will
• receive a fair daily remuneration relevant to local minimum hourly rate (currently NZ$22.70 per hour).
• tour/driver guide to be accommodated on a Dinner Bed & Breakfast (DBB) basis at the tour operator's expense.
• DBB is considered a base minimum and is not generally negotiable.
• Nominal allowance for lunch, telephone / internet and genuine incidentals
• Reimbursement of fees for use of a guide's conservation permit which may arise from time to time.
• Reasonably timed relocation flights or other transport and payment of relocation time by the tour operator.
CONTRACTUAL AND CANCELATIONS
You are well advised to outline contractual, payment and cancellation information which the guide may ask you to produce. It is a safeguard for both parties.
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