What steps would I need to take to travel and work in New Zealand for a year?

I am interested in taking a year off from school and going to New Zealand (or maybe someplace else, but we can use it as a starting point) to work or travel for a year or so. I'm guessing I would need a visa of some sort, but is there anything else I would need to obtain or be aware of before starting on this journey? By the way, I am a citizen of the United States.

If you are planning to work you will need a working holiday visa. American's are eligible for a WHV from NZ.

This will require that you have a certain amount of money (usually approx $2000).

Be aware though, you can only get a working holiday visa once and it could be better getting it after you finish university so your potential income level is higher (earning more in NZ i mean).

You could also try wwoofing - willing workers on organic farms. Not sure if you need a working holiday visa for this (you never used to but this may have changed).

you should do animal husbandry.. and try to specialise in sheep... and take a pair of flash rain boots to the visa office...