How to Book OWWA Appointment in New Zealand

Filipinos who are based in New Zealand and want to renew their OWWA account can visit the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) located in Wellington. The POLO-Wellington office will be able to assist you in your OWWA inquiries and renewals. Please be guided on the process of renewal below.

Also Read: How to Book OWWA Appointment in Australia

The Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) support Filipino workers in New Zealand by providing assistance for their employment and promoting their well-being. The main objective of OWWA-Wellington, New Zealand was to protect overseas Filipino workers’ rights in New Zealand, as well as their employment contracts, under Philippine and New Zealand labor laws, norms, and standards.

Also Read: How to Book OWWA Appointment in Australia

OFWs are entitled for OWWA benefits, which include emergency welfare benefits. OWWA membership fee will cost $25.00 USD and must be renewed every two years.

Amount of Contribution

The OWWA membership contribution shall be equivalent to Twenty-Five US Dollars (US$25.00) or NZD 35.00.

Membership Validity

For each contribution, membership is valid for two (2) years, regardless of contract term, change of employer, jobsite, or recruitment agency. Then, if proof of active labor is provided, OWWA membership must be renewed.

OWWA Membership/Renewal Requirements in POLO-New Zealand

Please see the following requirements in order to renew your OWWA in NZ:

• Completed OWWA Information Sheet
• Copy of a VALID employment contract
• A copy of the passport page with the photo and personal data
• A copy of your current work permit and visa
• Copy of employment contract, or certificate of employment or payslip
• OWWA membership fee

How to Schedule an Appointment in Wellington, New Zealand

Please check out the following steps in order for you to schedule an OWWA appointment before going to the POLO-Wellington office.

Step 1: Send an e-mail to the POLO-Wellington, New Zealand office to verify the status of your OWWA membership.

Step 2: They may respond to you with a schedule of appointment to pay the OWWA renewal fee.

Step 3: Download the OFW Information Sheet and fill it out.

How to Renew OWWA Membership in POLO-New Zealand

After you’ve verified that you need to renew your OWWA, you can bring your document requirements to the POLO office.

Step 1: Before visiting the POLO-Wellington, New Zealand office, double-check your appointment time.

Step 2: Present your completed documentation at the OWWA counter.

Step 3: Pay the membership fee to the OWWA.

Step 4: Receive your OWWA renewal receipt.

NOTE: If you are a Filipino worker in Christchurch or Auckland, New Zealand, feel free to contact POLO Wellington at polo.newzealand@philembassy.org.nz.

OWWA Mobile Consular Services

Please be advised that the Philippine Overseas Labor Office – Wellington also conducts Mobile Missions wherein they go and visit other areas of New Zealandin order to reach out to Filipinos who wish to conduct POLO inquiries and services. During these mobile missions, you may go to the date and location of the said event so you can renew your OWWA membership.

So you need to stay updated by following the social media page (Facebook) of PH Embassy New Zealand. Please be guided on the process. Here is a post from the PH Embassy about some of their mobile consular missions:

PH Embassy New Zealand Advisory on Required Appointment

Here is a post shared by the Philippine Embassy in New Zealand regarding the latest updates about the process of inquiring about the Consular Services in this time of crisis. As per the latest update, walk-ins are not allowed for such services. For the OWWA membership, you need to inquire from OWWA via email about the latest process. Please be guided on these updates.

Important Reminders

Here are some reminders and guidelines about the OWWA renewal process and what you should need to take note of when processing this OWWA in New Zealand:

• Please double-check that your requirements are accurate and full.
• Requirements that are not full will not be handled.
• For more information, see the EMBASSY OF THE PHILIPPINES WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND and PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN NEW ZEALAND updated post.

Video: Contract Verification at POLO-Wellington

Check out the video below as shared by an OFW who experience verifying their employment contract after changing employers. He had a scheduled appointment at the POLO-Wellington office and then brought his document requirements. As he already made an appointment for verification of the contract, he was able to also process other OWWA and POLO services. Check out his vlog below:

Frequently Asked Questions:

Here are some common questions and answers about renewing OWWA in New Zealand. Please take note of these questions and answers for your reference:

1. How much does the OWWA membership fee cost?

The OWWA membership contribution is NZD 35.00 or equivalent to USD 25.00 every 2 years.

2. Can I directly go to the OWWA-Wellington, New Zealand Office?

No, walk-ins are not allowed in OWWA-Wellington, New Zealand. You can send an email to newzealand@philembassy.org.nz or owwa.newzealand@philembassy.org.nz to make a transaction.

3. Who should I contact if I have any additional questions?

You can contact the OWWA-Wellington, New Zealand office by sending an e-mail to newzealand@philembassy.org.nz / owwa.newzealand@philembassy.org.nzor by sending a message, or calling (00644) 260 1161

Summary

So this is the process of renewing OWWA at the POLO office in New Zealand. Please remember to ensure that you renew your OWWA so you can keep the maximum benefits you can get as a member

especially in these times of crisis. There are the DOLE-AKAP assistance, OWWA livelihood assistance programs, and reintegration programs, etc.

As an OFW based in NZ, please follow the rules and policies currently put in place about visiting the office. Or better yet, you can simply renew your OWWA account through the OWWA Mobile App.

Workers in Nz may also renew their OWWA membership by having their family members in the Philippines submit the document requirements to the nearest OWWA Regional Welfare office.

Contact Information

OWWA Wellington, New Zealand Contact Information
Address: Level 1, 286 Thorndon Quay, Pipitea, Wellington, New Zealand
Email: POLO-polo.newzealand@philembassy.org.nz, OWWA- owwa.newzealand@philembassy.org.nz
Telephone Number/s: (00644) 260 1161
Website: https://www.philembassy.org.nz/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/PHLinNZ

Google Map Location

Please check out the map guide to the location of the POLO-OWWA office in New Zealand below: