Good luck getting into the country. Mandatory 2 weeks quarantine in a isloation facility before you can join society. It costs about $3000 (Nzd) last I heard the waiting list is booked up so getting into a facility is hard. You will also need to have a covid test done before you travel as we are covid free currently. Nz is not cheap to live in, espcially not Auckland. Save big :)

You won't be able to get one anytime soon. Our government is incredibly strict, unless you have an NZ passport, permanent residency or partner visa or you're an essential worker you won't be able to get a visa, probably until at least 2022 at the moment, it's entirely possible we won't allow international travellers until 2023 and visa requirements will change to reflect covid, possibly requiring proof of vaccination. We haven't even opened borders with Australia or the Pacific yet international isn't even on the horizon.

When/if it opens back up, do the Working Holiday Visa. My husband and I did it last year. It was free to apply in 2019 at least. It allows you to work or not work while there.

While we were older than most fellow backpackers, we had an incredible time!

Whose Autumn, northern or southern hemisphere? It won't be possible this year anyway.