Employment Opportunities in New Zealand

New Zealanders have a lot to teach the world about seizing every opportunity. They put in long hours but also have plenty of time off to unwind and take in the sights of their breathtaking homeland.

It's easy to understand why HSBC's Expat Explorer Survey 2021 placed New Zealand as the third-best country in the world to live in as an expat.

Jobs in consulting, sales, sports, hospitality, and tourism are all on the rise in New Zealand, and the country is actively recruiting foreign employees to fill the resulting skills shortage.

The country has a mild temperature, very few people living in each area, and a low crime rate. The North Island is home to Auckland, Waikato, and Wellington, whereas the South Island is home to Canterbury and Otago.

There is always something to do and see no matter where you live, be it a bustling metropolis or a sleepy seaside enclave.

Openings in New Zealand

It's always a good time to hunt for job in New Zealand, provided you have the proper skills and experience. Only 3.2% of the population is unemployed (February 2022).

Numerous possibilities exist in fields including engineering, information technology, and medical, but broader skill sets are also welcome.

Industries that have had recent job growth include those dealing with human resources (HR), recruiting, transportation and logistics, the trades and services, engineering, and community service and development.

Many of New Zealand's businesses fall under the category of "small and medium-sized enterprises" (SMEs), and even the country's largest corporations are relatively modest outside. Popular graduate-level employment include universities, IBM, and Air New Zealand.

Applicants from other countries sometimes have to settle for entry-level employment in order to get work experience in New Zealand, as there is stiff competition for jobs.

Don't rule out the possibility of a full-time position by ignoring the possibility of a contract or temporary position.

Check out: for a New Zealand employment search.

NZ's Next Generation
SEEK
With Trade Me WorkHere, Kiwis Are Putting In Hours Down Under

REQUIRED SKILLS FOR POPULAR GRADUATE POSITIONS

Services in the Field of Agriculture, Construction, and Finance
Manufacturing
Providers of Property-Related Services
Tourism
Competency gaps

To address this deficit, Immigration New Zealand has compiled a list of both long-term and regional talent needs.

The following are just a few examples of professions in the region that are experiencing a severe skills gap:

accountant \sarborist \sbaker
Expert physician University Lecturer Early Childhood Educator Midwife Primary School Teacher Snowsports Instructor
There are persistent talent gaps in the following sectors:

business \sconstruction \sengineering \sfinance
Healthcare and social support services
Tourism and hospitality
The Electronics, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Industries.
The building and infrastructure industries also need unique sets of talents. The following are examples of currently in-demand occupations:

Civil engineer, construction manager, electrical engineer, project builder, structural engineer, and surveyor are all occupations that fall within the purview of a building inspector.

Job-hunting tips for Kiwis

In order to qualify for a work visa in New Zealand, you will need to actively seek employment opportunities there prior to relocating there. A resume and cover letter are required for online applications. New Zealand resumes differ from American ones in that they focus less on listing every job held and more on describing the talents the applicant possesses and demonstrating those abilities via examples.

A telephone interview is the next step if your application is successful in the first round. In-person meetings are typically casual and can have as many as four interviewers. Before going in for an interview, you should make sure you know everything there is to know about the position and the firm.

Numerous positions aren't publicized, therefore it's helpful to have contacts, network, and apply for employment on the sly.

Jobs for the Summer

Thousands of people are required annually to assist harvest the country's fruit harvests. Bars, restaurants, cafés, hotels, campgrounds, and holiday parks are all good places to look for work due to the growing tourism industry.

You might also try your luck at finding work at ski resorts during the winter months.

There is a need for au pairs, so if you have expertise with kids, that's a good direction to look in.

SEEK - Summer employment is a good place to start looking for temporary work.

Numerous non-profit organizations in New Zealand provide volunteer opportunities for those looking to bolster their resumes. Volunteering New Zealand allows you to look for opportunities in a variety of ways, including by type and location.

Interim travel and temporary employment abroad can be arranged through a service provider like Letz Live or Go Overseas.

Jobs in the Education Sector

In New Zealand, where the majority of educators are foreign-born, competition for teaching jobs is fierce. There is a significant need for secondary and elementary school teachers with expertise in STEM fields. Substitute teachers are in high demand as well.

Your credentials and expertise as a teacher will determine if you are hired. Visit the Teaching Council of New Zealand website to see whether you meet the requirements and learn how to submit an application to teach in the nation.

If you want to teach English to speakers of other languages, you'll need a Bachelor's degree and a TEFL certification at the very least. Although private language schools may be your best bet for finding work, the English language is widely spoken.

Before the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) to accept your teaching credentials, you must first register with the Teaching Council.

Some of New Zealand's most sought-after teaching locations are:

Auckland \sChristchurch \sQueenstown
Wellington.

Internships

Internships and work-study programs are helpful in many ways. Obviously, they are beneficial since they allow you to get valuable experience and connections that might later aid you in finding a permanent work.

Among the best resources in the country to find job experience are:

Reaching out to businesses personally is another tried and true method of discovering hidden job openings.

Visas for entry to New Zealand

Immigration New Zealand - Explore work visa possibilities provides detailed information on the various visas available to those who wish to live and work in New Zealand on a temporary or permanent basis.

In conclusion, the working holiday visa is available to anyone between the ages of 18 and 30 (or up to 35 in a few countries) who are looking for temporary employment. Visa validity for citizens of the UK and Canada is between 12 and 23 months. The travel must be for leisure first and foremost, with business as a secondary consideration, to qualify.

Some longer-term choices are:

The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) is for people who have the education, training, and work experience to fill a position in New Zealand.
Choose the Essential Skills Work Visa if you have been given a full-time position that requires certain training and experience. You have up to five years to use it.
You may qualify for a Work to Residence Category visa if you have a job offer from an approved employer or if your skills match an occupation on the Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL).
As part of its application review process, Immigration New Zealand assigns candidates a score out of 100. Age, work history, relevant education, and relevant experience are all positives.

For visa and work permit information, non-Brits should get in touch with the New Zealand embassy in their home country.

Need for a Common Language

New Zealand Sign Language, the Maori language, and English are the three official languages of the country.

Many jobs need fluency in both spoken and written English because that's the language most commonly used in business.

Justifying Your Skills to Potential Employers
In general, employers in New Zealand will be familiar with degrees from the United Kingdom (UK), given the educational system in that country is modeled after the English system. However, it is still a good idea to specify that you have a UK degree before submitting your application.

Professional licenses, associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees, and master's and doctoral degrees are all respected.

The New Zealand Work Experience

New Zealanders usually put in between 37 and 40 hours a week across five days.

Twenty-one dollars twenty-five cents is equal to around eleven pounds and ten pence per hour for workers aged sixteen and up (April 2022).

In comparison to other countries, the number of days off is rather high. Workers in New Zealand receive at least four weeks of paid vacation each year, and the country also observes eleven official holidays throughout the year. Public holidays are considered special occasions, and as such, employees are entitled to holiday premium pay from their employers. Conventions recognized by the general public are:

Second Day of the New Year
Good Friday Waitangi Day
It's Easter Monday
The ANZAC Commemoration

Matariki (Worker's Thanksgiving) Day, the Queen's Birthday, and the New Year all
Boxing Day and Christmas Day.
Your wage in New Zealand will be subject to income tax whether you are a resident or just visiting the nation temporarily since this is how the government of New Zealand funds services for the benefit of all its citizens and permanent residents.

Depending on your filing status, your personal income tax will be determined as follows (beginning 1 April 2021):

If your annual income is beyond $180,000, you'll pay 39 percent
Earnings between $70,001 and $180,000 are subject to 33 percent tax.
From $49,001-$70,000, 30% of income
17 percent of earnings between $14,000 and $48,000
Until you reach $14,000 in earnings, you'll be charged 10.5%.

The New Zealand Inland Revenue is the place to go if you need details about taxes for workers in New Zealand.

New Zealand has a low cost of living compared to other developed nations like the United Kingdom and Australia, and a high standard of living. Check out Numbeo - New Zealand's Cost of Living for additional data and comparisons.

Learn More

Learn more about the academic experience in New Zealand.
New Zealand Now has all the information you need to know about finding a job in New Zealand.