Working in New Zealand

Are you thinking about emigrating to New Zealand? Before you start looking for a job in New Zealand, you should familiarise yourself with the local working conditions. In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about working in New Zealand. You will also find tips on how to find a job and what to bear in mind when applying for a new role in New Zealand.

You should have a rough idea of the most wanted jobs in New Zealand before you start applying. If your job happens to be among them, you have a much better chance of getting a visa. New Zealand has a so-called Green List, which features all the roles that local economy is looking to fill at any given time. Depending on the country’s current needs, your profession could be added to this list – so it is worth keeping an eye out!

Like many other countries, New Zealand has a skilled labour shortage.  

The following professions are particularly sought after and also included in the Green List:

• medical professions, such as doctors and carers
• teachers and social workers
• tradespeople
• IT specialists
• engineers
• construction managers
• scientists

Some foreign professional qualifications are already recognised in New Zealand (see list), in which case there is no need for you to undergo an official recognition procedure. Other qualifications do require a recognition procedure, which can be a lengthy process.

Not quite sure where in New Zealand you would like to live? According to the local government, most jobs are based in Auckland, Canterbury, Christchurch, and Wellington. The Waikato region (especially around the city of Hamilton), the Bay of Plenty (around Tauranga), Otago, Dunedin, Queenstown, and Nelson also have a lot of job opportunities.

Now that you know which jobs are in high demand, your next step is to find out what New Zealand’s working conditions are like.

A standard full-time employment contract in New Zealand is 40 hours. You also get 20 days PTO (paid time off) and 12 public holidays, giving you a total of 32 paid days off.

Employees in New Zealand get ten paid sick days per year, as long as they have been employed with the same company for at least six months. You can carry unused sick days over into the new year, but you cannot take more than 20 sick days per year.

Salaries in New Zealand depend on the role and vary between NZD 38,000 (€21,300) and NZD 125,000 (€70,000), making the average salary around NZD 81,000 (approx. €45,000). New Zealand’s minimum wage is currently at NZD 23.15 (€12.97) per hour. Getting paid weekly, biweekly or monthly is common in New Zealand. Rent is usually also due every two weeks rather than every month.

Now that you know about the working conditions in New Zealand, you can start applying for a job. Here is a list of the most common job portals in New Zealand:

• seek.co.nz
• nz.indeed.com
• trademe.co.nz
• nz.jora.com
• careers.govt.nz
• kiwihealthjobs.com (jobs in healthcare)
• jobs.nzfarmsource.co.nz (jobs in farming)
• gazette.education.govt.nz (jobs in education)
• careers.sciencenewzealand.org (jobs in science)
• engineeringnz.org (jobs in engineering)

If you struggle to find the right kind of job online, the New Zealand government encourages you to call up companies you are interested in and ask if they know of any (upcoming) vacancies. You might even get a positive response or at least the chance to submit your application. Alternatively, they might know of other companies looking for someone with your exact experience and qualifications. Taking a proactive approach can be a great way to get your foot in the door.

Have you found a job that matches your profile?

Here is everything you will need to apply:

• Resume/CV: Your CV should be brief and only include your most relevant hard and soft skills, your work experience, your qualifications, your degrees and other professional training certificates as well as details about any volunteering work. Please customise your CV to the relevant job description rather than submitting the same version to several companies.

• Please note: New Zealand-based companies are unlikely to know your former employer(s) in Germany, so please provide a quick description of the company, including its headcount and industry, along with a website link.

• Cover letter: You will need a cover letter to apply for jobs in New Zealand. Start by introducing yourself, then list your most relevant skills and explain why you are the right person for the job. Please keep your cover letter to a maximum of one page.

• References and certificates: Please include your certificates and qualifications in your job application. You will also need to have all your application documents translated so your potential employer in New Zealand can understand them and assess whether you are a suitable candidate. Please put your school grades in context for clarity, as New Zealand’s and Germany’s grading systems are different.

Please note: Make sure your application is written in flawless English. Consider having your CV and cover letter proofread by a native English speaker.

Did your application result in a job offer? Congratulations! Your next step is to apply for a visa to work in New Zealand. There are a few different options available to you here. Are you looking to live in New Zealand permanently? Have a look at permanent residence visas on our website. Are you looking to live and work in New Zealand for a limited amount of time, or gain work experience in New Zealand so you can qualify for a permanent visa? Then your best bet is to apply for an ‘Accredited Employer Work Visa’. This allows you to live and work in New Zealand for up to five years. The duration of your stay depends on your salary, among other factors. You can even study during this period if your job requires you to.

To qualify for an ‘Accredited Employer Work Visa’, you need:  

• a permanent employment contract for at least 30 hours/week
• at least three years of work experience or a qualification that is higher than a New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) Level 4  
• required qualifications and experience within your field of work (unless you have a bachelor’s degree or higher)  
• proof of language skills (only for Level 4 or 5)

Do you meet all the above requirements?  

Then you will need to get the following documents ready to apply:

• your passport
• a certificate of good conduct
• a copy of your employment contract and the corresponding job description
• a signed copy of your job offer
• references from your previous employer(s)
• a copy of your work permit
• pay slips or relevant tax documents
• an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) issued by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)

Please have all your official documents and certificates translated into English and certified as needed. Make sure you send them in for translation in good time. You can expect this step to take about one week.

Do you already have a job offer with a company in New Zealand? Then Immigration New Zealand will email you a link to a website where you can submit all your visa-related documents, fill in an online form and pay your visa fees. Once your application has been processed, you will receive an email with your visa status.

Costs: NZD 750 (approx. €420)

Processing time: three months