Working in New Zealand - Your Ultimate Guide
Working in New Zealand is a dream for many migrants.
The Land of the Long White Cloud is renowned for its natural beauty, welcoming culture, and strong work-life balance. New Zealand also has a thriving economy and emphasises employee well-being.
The key to working in New Zealand as a migrant is holding a visa that allows you to do so.
To get you started, we'll take a closer look at the following:
- New Zealand's job market
- Work visas and their requirements
- How to find and apply for jobs
- Salary expectations
- Work and office culture
You can book a consultation call with our licensed advisor when you're ready to see if you qualify for a work visa.
Let's dive in.
Overview of New Zealand's job market
New Zealand's economy is robust and continually creates more jobs. It's estimated that between 2023 and 2028, New Zealand will need nearly 40,000 new workers a year.
Nearly half of these jobs will be in construction, retail, accommodation and food services, and business services. Other sectors that'll also see job growth are transport and logistics and non-farm manufacturing.
Furthermore, the employment outlook is brightest for highly-skilled migrants. Skilled workers, including managers and professionals, are set to be in high demand.
This fact should not discourage lower-skilled migrants. New Zealand still needs these workers, especially truck drivers, construction and mining labourers and delivery drivers.
Understanding New Zealand's work visas
New Zealand offers several visas that allow migrants to live and work in New Zealand either temporarily or permanently.
We'll cover the six most prominent work visas below. These visas grant temporary or permanent residence and are for skilled migrants, partners, graduates, and young people who want to work and holiday simultaneously.
OVERVIEW
The Skilled Migrant Visa is a residence application, and it's for individuals with skills in demand in New Zealand.
Residency
The Skilled Migrant Visa is a residence application and is thus valid permanently. You can live and work in New Zealand indefinitely.
What this visa allows
With the Skilled Migrant Visa, you can:
- Live in New Zealand indefinitely
- Work and study in New Zealand
Requirements
To apply for a Skilled Migrant Visa, you must:
- Be 55 or younger.
- Score 180 points or more in your skills assessment
- Have an offer of skilled employment or current skilled employment in New Zealand
- Meet the English language requirements
- Meet New Zealand's good character requirements
- Be in good health
Learn more about the Skilled Migrant Visa.
OVERVIEW
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) lets migrants with job offers from accredited New Zealand employers live and work in New Zealand.
Residency
The Accredited Employer Work Visa grants temporary residence, and eligible candidates can apply for one of three residence pathways - Work to Residence, Straight to Residence, and Highly Paid Residence.
What this visa allows
With the Accredited Employer Work Visa, you can:
- Live and work in New Zealand for an accredited employer for up to:
- Three years, if you earn at or above the New Zealand median wage
- Two years, if you earn below the Zealand median wage
- Only work for the employer who offered the visa application for the length of the visa - a change in your situation necessitates a variation of conditions or a new visa application
- Study for up three months in any 12-month period, or undertake any studies as required by your job
Requirements
To apply for an Accredited Employer Work Visa, you must:
- Have an offer of full-time work (at least 30 hours a week) from an accredited employer
- Earn at least the New Zealand median wage unless the job is exempt
- There must be no New Zealanders available to do the work you've been offered unless a waiver applies
- Have the necessary skills, qualifications and work experience to perform the job offered
- Have occupational registration, if required
- Meet New Zealand's health and character requirements
More Information
Accredited Employer Work Visa applicants are eligible for three residence categories:
To be eligible for a Straight to Residence Visa, the applicant must:
- Work for an accredited employer or have a job offer from one
- Have an occupation that's on Tier 1 of the Green List
- Meet the requirements set out on the Green List for their occupation
- Have a full-time role (at least 30 hours per week), genuine and permanent or at least a 12-month fixed-term contract. Independent contractors are also eligible under certain circumstances
To be eligible for a Work to Residence Visa, the applicant must:
- Be employed in an occupation on Tier 2 of the Green List or hold an offer of employment for one
- Meet the requirements set out on the Green List for their occupation
- Have a full-time role (at least 30 hours per week), genuine, and permanent or at least a 12-month fixed-term contract
- Have worked for 24 months in New Zealand in a role and met the role's requirements on Tier 2 of the Green List
- Immigration New Zealand will count acceptable work towards your Work to Residence Visa if you hold or have had an AEWV or another work visa or Critical Purpose Visitor Visa that was held or applied for before 4 July 2022
Please note: The Work to Residence Visa opens in September 2023.
To be eligible for a Highly Paid Residence Visa, applicants must:
- Have a job or a job offer in a role that earns at least twice the median wage
- Have been working in New Zealand for 24 months in a position that paid at least twice the median wage
- Immigration New Zealand will count acceptable work towards your Work to Residence Visa if you hold or have had an AEWV or another work visa or Critical Purpose Visitor Visa that was held or applied for before 4 July 2022
Please note: The Highly Paid Residence Visa opens in September 2023.
Learn more about the Accredited Employer Work Visa.
OVERVIEW
The Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa lets the partners of New Zealand citizens or residents work in New Zealand.
Residency
The Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa grants temporary New Zealand residence. Successful visa applicants can apply for permanent residence based on their relationship status but must do so before their visa expires.
What this visa allows
With a Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa, you can:
- Travel to and enter New Zealand with your partner
- Live and work in New Zealand:
- For two years, if you and your partner had been living together for more than 12 months at the time of your visa application
- For one year, if you and your partner had been living together for less than 12 months
- Study for up to three months.
Requirements
To apply for a Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa, you must:
- Be legally married to or in a civil union or de facto relationship with a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident of good character
- Be in a genuine and stable relationship with your partner and live together
- Have enough money to support your visa application or have an acceptable sponsor
- Meet New Zealand's health and character requirements
Learn more about the Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa.
OVERVIEW
The Partner of a Worker Work Visa enables the partners of work visa holders to also work in New Zealand.
Residency
The Partner of a Worker Work Visa is only valid for as long as your partner's work visa.
What this visa allows
With the Partner of a Worker Work visa, you can:
- Join your partner in New Zealand for the duration of their work visa
- Work in New Zealand
- Study for up to three months
Requirements
To apply for a Partner of a Worker Work Visa, you must:
- Have a partner of good character with an acceptable work visa who's eligible to sponsor your visa application
- Live together in a genuine and stable relationship with your partner
- Have enough money to live on while in New Zealand
- Meet New Zealand's health and character requirements
Learn more about the Partner of Worker Work Visa.
OVERVIEW
The Post-Study Work Visa is for recent graduates who studied in New Zealand. Eligible candidates can stay and work in New Zealand for up to three years, depending on their course of study.
Residency
The Post-Study Work Visa is valid for up to three years.
Residency
The Post-Study Work Visa is valid for up to three years.
What this visa allows
With the Post-Study Work Visa, you can:
- Stay in New Zealand for up to three years, depending on your level of study and how long you studied in New Zealand.
- Work for any employer in any job if you have a degree level 7 or above qualification.
- Work in a job related to what you studied if your qualification is non-degree level 7 or below. Your qualification must also be on the Qualifications Eligible for a Post Study Work Visa list.
Requirements
To apply for a Post-Study Work Visa, you must:
- Have completed an eligible qualification in New Zealand
- Apply for a work visa no later than three months after your student visa expires or six months if you were granted a visa to complete a doctorate.
- Have enough money to live on while you're in New Zealand
- Meet New Zealand's health and character requirements
Learn more about the Post-Study Work Visa.
OVERVIEW
The Working Holiday visa lets young people from select countries work in and explore New Zealand.
What this visa allows
With the Working Holiday Visa, you can:
- Travel and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months or 23 months if you're from the UK or Canada
- Study one or more courses for up to 6 months in New Zealand
Requirements
To apply for a Working Holiday Visa, you must:
- Usually, be aged 18 to 30, but 18 to 35 in a select few countries
- Be a citizen of one of the 45 countries with which New Zealand has a working holiday scheme agreement
- Be going to New Zealand mainly for a holiday, with both work or a short amount of study as your secondary intentions.
- Have enough money to pay for a return ticket
- Provide a General Medical Certificate if you apply for a 23-month visa
Learn more about the Working Holiday Visa.
Finding and applying for jobs
You can find jobs across New Zealand but Auckland, Canterbury, and Wellington are the three biggest job centres. The regions with plenty of jobs include Waikato, the Bay of Plenty, Otago, Palmerston North, and around Nelson.
Here's how you'll find and apply for jobs:
How to find jobs
There are three golden rules to keep in mind when you're looking for jobs in New Zealand:
Some work visas require that you have a job offer while others don't. Either way, it's advisable to ensure that you qualify for a visa that allows you to work before starting your job hunt.
We say this for two reasons:
- A job offer alone does not mean you'll qualify for a work visa. Work visas have many other eligibility criteria, including, for example, age, health, and experience requirements.
- New Zealand employers are more likely to consider candidates that qualify for or have work visas.
You can book a consultation call with our licensed advisor right now to see if you qualify for a work visa.
New Zealand is a popular emigration destination! Thousands of people try to secure a job for migration purposes each year. However, only a small percentage succeed.
One of the big reasons some people succeed and others don't is that they make themselves stand out from the crowd. Successful job seekers realise that securing a job in New Zealand involves much more than sending off a CV.
But how do you make yourself stand out? Here's how:
Submit a migration cover letter with your application
Imagine you're a New Zealand employer. Questions you might ask yourself when reviewing a foreign applicant would include the following:
- Does this applicant have a work visa?
- Does the applicant qualify for a work visa or residency?
- What must I, the employer, do if the applicant needs a work visa?
- Does the applicant's experience meet the trade or professional registration requirements in New Zealand?
- Is the applicant allowed to carry out their trade in New Zealand?
- Does the applicant meet the English language requirements?
- How long will a visa take if I do make an offer?
The list goes on.
The point is this – when an employer faces these questions, but they don't have answers, it's unlikely that they'll consider your application.
A migration cover letter, written with the assistance of a licensed immigration advisor, can give the employer all this much-needed information. The result is that you immediately stand out from the crowd and increase your chances of success.
Write A New Zealand-friendly CV and cover letter
The CV format you're used to might not be the one New Zealand employers prefer. That's why it's important to tailor your CV to the New Zealand style.
Here's what Living in New Zealand recommends:
- Keep your CV short – New Zealand employers like CVs that are easy to read and quick to scan.
- Only include relevant information – do not list every job or course you've ever done.
New Zealand employers are most interested in your:
- Technical and personal skills
- Work experience
- Qualifications and education
- Community and volunteer experience
- Evidence of how you've applied your skills – give brief examples
New Zealand employers might not be familiar with organisations you've worked with overseas, so include the following details about these companies:
- The number of employees
- The location
- A website link so that the employer can get more information if they need it
When it comes to cover letters, shorter is again better. Your cover letter should be no longer than one page.
You'll use your cover letter to:
- Briefly introduce yourself
- Outline your main relevant skills and experience
- Make an argument for why you are the right person for the job
Do everything within your power to make it simple for a New Zealand employer to pick you for an advertised position. That means doing a visa assessment, writing a New Zealand-style CV and cover letter, and including a migration cover letter.
You also want to make sure that you have all your qualifications handy, that you certify all documents that need certification, and that you complete professional registration where necessary.
By doing all this, you remove obstacles for a New Zealand employer considering your application and show that you have the foresight and commitment to take care of formalities.
Where to find jobs
Long ago, job applicants used to only scan the newspaper for jobs. Today, people find jobs online, by working with recruiters, and through LinkedIn.
Online:
There are three prominent online job portals for finding jobs in New Zealand:
TradeMe and Seek list hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs across a wide range of industries. Usually, you can search by occupation plus region or city.
WorkHere is a good place to start your job hunt, though, as it's specifically for migrants. According to WorkHere, the company 'connects top talent from around the globe to New Zealand-based companies with jobs in demand'.
Recruiters:
A good recruiter is a fantastic asset if you want to increase your chances of working in New Zealand. Recruiters can share information about the New Zealand job market and give tips on what employers want.
The other advantage of working with a recruiter is that recruiters often know about jobs that aren't advertised because they have relationships with employers. Sometimes employers will start by approaching recruiters to find out if they have suitable candidates for a position.
Lastly, working with a recruiter is great because it's free. You won't have to add another expense to your extensive list of immigration-related costs.
You can find a list of recruiters to get you started on our blog.
LinkedIn:
LinkedIn is a powerful job search tool. You can use it to:
- Get noticed by sharing your expertise
- Network with professionals in your industry who might be able to help you find a job in New Zealand
- Connect with recruiters (77% of recruiters use LinkedIn!)
- Approach companies you'd like to work for
There is no downside to being active on LinkedIn! The first step is creating a stellar profile. You'll find a checklist for doing just that on our blog.
Your interview
Let's assume you've been successful and you've received an invite to an interview. Now it's time to prepare to present yourself in the best light possible. You do this by:
- Learning everything you can about the company, the job, and the interview
- Brushing up on interview skills and practising common interview questions
- Dressing the part and figuring out all the interview logistics
But this isn't any interview – it's an interview for a job that could see you working in New Zealand. Here's what you must know and do to stand out:
- Keep your answers short and sharp – New Zealand employers do not want to hear long stories.
- Make your overseas experience relevant to New Zealand to show the employer that your experience outside New Zealand is valuable to them.
- Show that you can work in the New Zealand way. In New Zealand, managers are expected to be good at motivating their team while treating everyone the same and with respect. Employees who are not managers are expected to work independently and use their initiative.
- Kiwis aren't boastful, so you must present your experience and skills without being arrogant.
Live and Work New Zealand gives examples of interview scenarios to help you achieve these goals. They've also included several other examples to help you ace your interview.
Salary Expectations
To find out what you could earn when working in New Zealand, we suggest either speaking to a recruiter or doing research online.
However, let's look at what professionals in 16 occupations earn on average. These jobs are all on New Zealand's Green List. The salaries are from Talent.com and Careers.gov.nz.
- Average annual salary: NZ$ 133,416
- Entry-level salaries: Start at NZ$ 98,417/year
- Experienced construction project managers: Up to NZ$ 175,000/year
- Average annual salary: NZ$ 91,500
- Entry-level salaries: Start at NZ$ 63,000/year
- Experienced dairy farm managers: Up to NZ$ 160,000/year
- Average annual salary: NZ$ 71,409
- Entry-level salaries: Start at NZ$ 62,400/year
- Experienced diesel mechanics: Up to NZ$ 85,605/year
- Average annual salary: NZ$ 177,128
- Entry-level salaries: Start at NZ$ 63,000/year
- Experienced doctors: Up to NZ$ 160,000/year
- Average annual salary: NZ$ 73,125
- Entry-level salaries: Start at NZ$ 65,748/year
- Experienced electricians: Up to NZ$ 95,125/year
- Average annual salary: NZ$ 100,000
- Entry-level salaries: Start at NZ$ 77,437/year
- Experienced engineers: Up to NZ$ 130,316/year
- Average annual salary: NZ$ 130,000
- Entry-level salaries: Start at NZ$ 115,605/year
- Experienced ICT managers: Up to NZ$ 156,316/year
- Average annual salary: NZ$ 73,739
- Entry-level salaries: Start at NZ$ 64,164/year
- Experienced nurses: Up to NZ$ 95,000/year
- Average annual salary: NZ$ 61,425
- Entry-level salaries: Start at NZ$ 55,458/year
- Experienced plumbers: Up to NZ$ 75,300/year
- Average annual salary: NZ$ 177,500
- Entry-level salaries: Start at NZ$ 175,000/year
- Experienced psychiatrists: Up to NZ$ 180,000/year
- Average annual salary: NZ$ 92,000
- Entry-level salaries: Start at NZ$ 80,122/year
- Experienced psychologists: Up to NZ$ 106,836/year
- Average annual salary: NZ$ 96,029
- Entry-level salaries: Start at NZ$ 78,000/year
- Experienced scientists: Up to NZ$ 130,316/year
- Average annual salary: NZ$ 107,250
- Entry-level salaries: Start at NZ$ 83,213/year
- Experienced software engineers: Up to NZ$ 140,000/year
- Average annual salary: NZ$ 58,500
- Entry-level salaries: Start at NZ$ 45,338/year
- Experienced surveyors: Up to NZ$ 148,250/year
- Average annual salary: NZ$ 60,000
- Entry-level salaries: Start at NZ$ 53,219/year
- Experienced teachers: Up to NZ$ 96,000/year
- Average annual salary: NZ$ 110,000
- Entry-level salaries: Start at NZ$ 70,000/year
- Experienced veterinarians: Up to NZ$ 150,000/year
To find out how New Zealand's cost of living will affect your salary, read our blog post on the average living costs in New Zealand's four biggest cities.
What to expect from working in New Zealand
You'll be glad to know that New Zealand has a great working culture. Employees are supported and enjoy a healthy work-life balance. Let's take a closer look at these aspects:
Support for newcomers
New Zealand employers are sympathetic towards the struggles of migrants settling into a new country. For this reason, you'll find that many employers are happy to help you in the first couple of weeks by:
- Assigning you a 'buddy' – a colleague – to answer your questions and show you the ropes
- Giving you time off during the day to sort out immigration or settling-in matters
- Granting leave days to take care of something back in your home country
All you must do when you need help is to ask for it. Never be afraid to speak up! If you don't, all you'll be doing is making the transition period from old to new harder on yourself.
Healthy work-life balance
New Zealanders believe that life is for living, and this is reflected in the Internations' Expat Insider 2021 survey of expats in 186 countries.
When asked how satisfied they are with their work-life balance, 83% of expats in New Zealand indicated they're generally satisfied, compared to 66% globally, while 39% of respondents said they're completely satisfied with their work-life balance. The global average was 25%.
More proof of New Zealand's healthy work-life balance is that Forbes listed Auckland as the 5th best city globally for work-life balance in its Worldwide Work-Life Balance Index 2023.
To compile the list, Forbes considered multiple factors, including average working hours, minimum legal annual leave, maternity leave policies, and parks and nature reserves per capita.
Informal office culture
The typical New Zealand office is an informal environment where everyone is treated the same but with respect. Managers are seen as part of the team, and superiors, colleagues and clients are typically addressed by their first names.
Another trademark of New Zealand offices is that they're usually small. Many New Zealand businesses average under 14 employees! As a result, New Zealand offices have fewer organisational layers, and staff are more involved in different areas of a business.
When it comes to the people, Kiwis are known for their positive, can-do attitude. They get on with the job and take the initiative to find solutions for challenges. You'll do well in any New Zealand office if you embrace this attitude.
New Zealand labour laws
New Zealand labour laws ensure fair treatment in Kiwi workplaces and grant rights and responsibilities to employees and employers.
In a nutshell, employers must treat staff fairly, pay at least the national minimum wage, and meet all their other obligations under New Zealand's labour laws. That includes ensuring that the organisation is a safe place to work.
Employees, on the other hand, must do their job properly and follow the health and safety rules of their workplace. You must also always adhere to the conditions of your work visa.
Here's what New Zealand's labour laws have to say about leave and deductions:
- Leave: At least four weeks annual leave, in addition to 11 public holiday days.
- Maternity leave: Many new parents are entitled to paid parental leave of up to 26 weeks.
- Sick leave: You can use your sick leave entitlement to care for your children when they're sick. You can also use your sick leave to care for other dependent family members.
- Deductions: Your employer is entitled to make the following deductions from your wages:
- Income tax, also known as PAYE (Pay As You Earn tax)
- ACC levy, which is New Zealand's insurance scheme that covers costs if you're injured
- KiwiSaver, a work-based retirement savings scheme. You'll start contributing to KiwiSaver when you become a resident.
Take the first step
Taking the first step towards working in New Zealand is simple - it's a consultation call with our licensed advisor. Our advisor will assess your eligibility to apply for a work visa and discuss your options during the 30-minute call. You'll also have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
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