Jobs in New Zealand
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Learn what it is like to work in New Zealand with jobs.ac.uk’s country overview.
New Zealand Overview
New Zealand is an island nation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, consisting of two main islands, the North Island and the South Island, along with over 700 offshore islands.
The country is known for its stunning scenery, progressive government, friendly locals, temperate climate, strong work-life balance and rich culture, making it a desirable location for expatriates looking for an adventure.
New Zealand Facts
- Capital city: Wellington
- Population: 5.2 million as of August 2024
- Government: Unitary parliamentary democracy, constitutional monarchy
- Currency: New Zealand dollar ($, NZD)
- Main languages: English, Te Reo Māori
- Main religions: Christianity, atheism and agnosticism are also prevalent
Languages in New Zealand
English is the de facto official language and the most widely spoken. Te Reo Māori is the de jure official language and can be used in official settings.
New Zealand sign language is also recognised as an official language but less than 1% of the population use it. Some islands in New Zealand have their own ingenuous languages that are spoken by the inhabitants.
Transportation in New Zealand
Public Transportation
New Zealand has one of the lowest rates of use of public transport in the world, the majority of urban travel is done by cars. The use of public transport is higher in the major cities where public transport is more readily available.
InterCity is the main bus service provider. Their helpful bus tracker provides up-to-date information on your bus or stop. However, this bus service is mainly for getting to and from different cities and tourist destinations; not for commuter purposes.
Local bus services are available in all the main towns across the country.
To find out more about regional bus services within cities visit the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency website.
Bikes and e-scooters are also available to hire right from your smartphone in New Zealand’s central cities.
Due to New Zealand’s topography, they have a limited rail network. With the focus being on freight trains and scenic rail journeys rather than commuters.
Ferries operate several times a day by the two providers Interislander and Bluebridge from Wellington and Picton across the Cook Strait, connecting the two main islands.
International Travel
New Zealand has seven international airports: Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Queenstown, Rotorua and Wellington.
Auckland Airport on the North Island is the largest and ranks among the busiest in Australasia. Christchurch is the South Island’s biggest airport and offers a huge range of international destinations.
There are several domestic airports across New Zealand providing internal connections across both main islands and out to some of the smaller inhabited islands including Stewart Island, the Chatham Islands and Great Barrier Island.
Culture and popular activities
Although the Maori culture in New Zealand dates back to at least the fourteenth century, the culture of the modern country is largely inherited from the British and European settlers who arrived during the nineteenth century.
Today, New Zealand is a multiracial nation and over half a million people there identify themselves as ethnically Maori, while the cultural influences of several other Pacific Island nations are keenly felt too. For more information, visit the Te Ara cultural website.
New Zealanders have an active outdoor lifestyle, enjoying camping, trekking and mountain biking in their unique countryside.
The geography also enables mountain skiing in winter while the coastal beach resorts offer a sun seeker’s paradise in summer.
Rugby is the national sport, with the mighty All Blacks among the world’s powerhouse nations, while some other sports are available across the country
Higher Education in New Zealand
Higher education in New Zealand is known as tertiary education. There are eight universities in New Zealand. Highly rated universities include Massey University, University of Auckland and University of Otago.
There are also several Colleges and Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics.
A Wānanga is a tertiary institution that provides education according to Māori culture. There are three Wānanga that provide a series of undergraduate degrees, postgraduate degrees, doctorates and diplomas where the content is embedded in the Māori culture.
Undergraduate degrees are between 3 to 4 years of full-time study.
There are 3-year courses that if you do well in you can complete another year to earn a Bachelor Honours degree. Depending on the course and university, there is the option to complete a 1-to-2-year certificate or diploma that can contribute to a degree if you wish to continue.
There are two semesters in the academic year. Semester one begins in February and semester two in July. Students often have the choice of starting their course in either semester.
Each university will have its own entry requirements. Courses are taught in English and therefore you must meet the English language requirement, either through a test or previous study in English.
Universities in New Zealand charge tuition fees, which vary according to the institution and the course.
Fees for international students and postgraduate courses can be significantly more than for New Zealanders.
The government will subsidise tuition fees for permanent residents of the country, and if you have been a resident for two years or more you may be eligible for a student loan.
Loans must be repaid, but there is also a means-tested allowance grant available to some students. Many institutions offer scholarships to international students, to discover available scholarships see the Study with New Zealand website.
Research
Despite the relatively small number of universities in New Zealand, competition for research budgets and jobs in research remains high.
There are several private funds and institutions in New Zealand that also compete with global rivals for international research funding.
To investigate available funding options, visit the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment website.
PhD Programmes in New Zealand
Completing a PhD programme as an international student in New Zealand has many benefits, including eligibility for a 3-year post-study work visa, unlimited work rights, fees are the same as domestic students, and there are options for your family to join you in New Zealand for the duration of your studies.
PhD programmes are 3 or 4 years of full-time study and fees range from approximately NZ$6,500 to NZ$9,000 per year.
Acceptance criteria can consist of experience in independent research, a relevant academic qualification and the support of a supervisor.
Individual universities may have different criteria and application processes so ensure you research appropriately.
Geographical variation
Some new migrants find that the cost of living in New Zealand is higher than anticipated. Overall costs are relatively low, but salaries for some professions may be less than in other countries.
While locally sourced goods are fairly cheap, imported items can be expensive.
The cost of living also tends to be higher in the north, with Auckland considered the most expensive place to live.
Accommodation
The majority of houses in New Zealand are bungalows with a garden plot, although flats and apartments are more common in the cities.
Some expats are surprised to find that many older homes lack double glazing, central heating and air conditioning, so take this into account when looking for somewhere to live.
Most foreign nationals initially rent property when they move to New Zealand, and the Residential Tenancies Act provides significant support and protection for both landlords and tenants.
The government-(Tenancy Services) provides standard contract terms to both parties, holds the deposit (known as a tenancy bond) and offers a dispute resolution service.
The process for buying a house is also well-regulated.
There are 5 major banks in NZ and all offer mortgages, compare mortgage rates.
Tenancy bond
Tenants can be asked for a maximum of 4 weeks’ rent as a bond. At the end of the rental, you can claim your bond back provided that no damage has been caused to the property.
Property rates
To fund local council services, properties in New Zealand can be subject to a range of local rates depending on the area and authority.
Usually, the rate will be determined by property value.
For more information, visit the localcouncils.govt.nz website.
Utilities
Utility providers vary from region to region. Water supply is often provided by companies owned or affiliated with local authorities, whereas gas, electricity, telephone and Internet services are usually provided by privately owned companies that compete on price.
Websites like Powerswitch and Glimp may be useful for finding the best deals.
New Zealand has been investing massively into a new fibre network and by 2019, 75% of people will have access to lightning-speed world-class Internet.
To see if a property can get fibre Internet you can use this free service Fibre Broadband Checker. Testing the speed of a connection is important now that streaming the likes of Netflix has become part of our daily lives.
A connection that is too slow will lead to a poor experience, test your speed here Internet Speed Test.
TV
New Zealand no longer charges a licence fee for television. It completed its digital switchover in 2013, greatly improving the quality of service across areas affected by rugged terrain.
The Freeview service and some regional channels are free to watch, but satellite services must be paid for.
Healthcare and medical costs
New Zealand offers state-funded healthcare through a network of District Health Boards (DHBs). Although hospital care is usually free, other services including appointments with doctors, prescriptions and dental care usually incur a fee.
In some areas, ambulance callouts may also be charged. Although private healthcare is generally more expensive, treatment can be significantly quicker.
Foreign nationals living in New Zealand for the long term may be entitled to healthcare subsidies depending on their immigration status.
New Zealand also has reciprocal healthcare agreements with some countries, giving their citizens greater access to services. To find out what you are entitled to, visit the Ministry of Health website.
Shopping
New Zealand is home to some international chain stores but may have slightly less choice on the high street than elsewhere in the world. For food shopping, there are several supermarket chains as well as local convenience stores known as ‘dairies’.
Dairies remain open for longer but produce can be expensive. For a more authentic experience, try your local Farmers’ Market.
GST
Goods and services tax (GST) is a value-added tax charged on goods and services in New Zealand, including most imported goods and many imported services.
GST is added to the price of taxable goods and services at a rate of 15%.
Price guide
- Rent on a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre – NZ$2,540.95 (≈£1,218.39) per month
- Rent on a 1-bedroom apartment outside the city centre – NZ$2,277.35 (≈£1,091.99) per month
- Price of apartment in city centre – NZ$12,767.65 (≈£6,122.09 per square metre
- Price of apartment outside city centre – NZ$11,603.75 (≈£5,564.00) per square metre
- Loaf of bread – NZ$3.44 (≈£1.65)
- Milk (1 litre) – NZ$3.15 (≈£1.51)
- Bottled water (1.5 litres) – NZ$1.96 (≈£0.94)
- Draught beer (0.5 litre) – NZ$6.57 (≈£3.15)
- Packet of cigarettes – NZ$38.00 (≈£18.22)
- Petrol (1 litre) – NZ$2.90 (≈£1.39)
- Cinema ticket – NZ$20.00 (≈£9.59)
Source: www.numbeo.com (accessed August 2023)
Driving
The motorways and main roads in New Zealand are generally of a high standard. However, the country’s stunning natural landscape has resulted in some challenging driving routes elsewhere, with bridges, tunnels and narrow winding roads all common outside the main city routes.
Combined with the changeable and sometimes extreme weather conditions, these routes require drivers to be vigilant, so always check conditions before travelling. Travel times may also be longer than expected.
In New Zealand, you drive on the left-hand side of the road. You can legally drive for up to 12 months with an International Driving Permit or a valid driving licence from another country as long as it is in English or you hold an approved translation.
After 12 months you must obtain a New Zealand licence.
Taxis
Metered taxis are readily available in all major towns and are relatively inexpensive for short distance travel, although you may want to consider a different option for longer journeys.
Buses
Public transport is easily accessible and fairly cheap to use in New Zealand. Regular bus services are available in all the main towns across the country.
Wellington also operates trolleybuses. Once a fixture in New Zealand, trolleybus routes have been closed in many of the major towns and Wellington is now the only place in the country to retain its commercial system.
Coaches
There are several coach operators that offer services across both islands.
Fixed-price tickets that allow unlimited ‘hop-on, hop-off’ travel are very popular with tourists and backpackers, and competition between operators means there are some excellent deals to be found.
Trains
With its priority historically more freight-orientated, the rail system in New Zealand is fairly limited for commuters.
Urban passenger services are available in Auckland and Wellington and there are some intercity routes, but the network is better known for its scenic journeys, which allow tourists to pass through some of the country’s most remote and inaccessible areas from the comfort of a train.
Ferries
Ferry connections are widely used as a means of crossing the Cook Strait.
Operators including Interislander and Bluebridge run regular services between Wellington on the North Island and Picton on the South Island. Water taxis are also widely available in coastal towns.
Air travel
New Zealand has seven international airports: Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Queenstown, Rotorua and Wellington.
Auckland Airport on the North Island is the largest and ranks among the busiest in Australasia.
Christchurch is the South Island’s biggest airport and also offers a huge range of international destinations.
There are several domestic airports across New Zealand providing internal connections across both main islands and out to some of the smaller inhabited islands including Stewart Island, the Chatham Islands and Great Barrier Island.
Other ways to get around
In the past, trams were a major part of the New Zealand transport network and systems were common in major towns and cities.
However, most of the trams still operating today are heritage systems and are considered tourist attractions rather than serious contributors to the transport network.
Working in New Zealand
The work week in New Zealand is typically 40 hours spread over 5 days.
There are no standard hours, but most businesses work Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm with a lunch break of 30 to 60 minutes.
Work/life balance is considered important and flexible working arrangements can be negotiated.
However, working from home is not as heavily adopted compared to other countries but it is increasingly an option.
Small businesses of less than 14 employees make up a good portion of the business in New Zealand, leading to a more relaxed and collaborative approach to work.
Keep in mind if you are coming from the northern hemisphere that in New Zealand the seasons are flipped.
In the southern hemisphere Summer starts in December and Winter in June.
Holidays
Most full-time employees are entitled to at least 4 weeks of annual leave each year in addition to public holidays.
Casual workers or those on fixed-term contracts of less than a year may choose to receive extra pay (usually around 8% more) instead of accruing holiday.
Any leave is then taken as unpaid.
Public holidays
There are 11 public holidays in New Zealand.
Ten of them are observed nationally, with an eleventh, the Provincial Anniversary Day, differing by area.
Business Etiquette in New Zealand
Although large corporate organisations operate in New Zealand, it has a significant proportion of small businesses. This means that organisational structures tend to be quite flat, with managers and employees collaborating closely to foster a team-orientated environment.
Smaller businesses also tend to mean broader roles for workers, allowing the developing of a wide range of skills.
Independent working is valued as well as a self-starter attitude. Employees are expected to be flexible in their roles, trying new tasks and applying the famous ‘Kiwi ingenuity‘ to challenges.
This can be great for those wishing to learn new skills and progress in their career quickly.
A friendly demeanour is also important, due to many businesses being made up of small teams, it is key you get on with your teammates.
Networking outside of your organisation is also key to success and can make working life easier.
The social welfare system in New Zealand is comprehensive, but many benefits are only available to citizens and permanent residents.
For a rough idea of your entitlements, complete this questionnaire on the New Zealand Work and Income website.
New Zealand is committed to promoting the active inclusion of disabled people within a tolerant society as outlined in the New Zealand Disability Strategy.
It is one of the few countries to recognise Sign Language as an official language.
Tax
If you are working in New Zealand it is best to apply for an IRD Number. These are not compulsory, but if you don’t have one you may be taxed at a higher rate.
Tax rates vary according to your earnings, and are usually deducted directly from your pay through the PAYE (Pay As You Earn) system.
Unlike some countries, there is no tax-free allowance – you pay tax on your whole income. The New Zealand Inland Revenue website offers a comprehensive guide to taxation issues in the country, or you can visit New Zealand Now for a quick overview.
Pensions and Benefits
To save for retirement, most New Zealand citizens or permanent residents will be automatically enrolled in the KiwiSaver scheme, although they can choose to opt out.
The scheme works through a combination of voluntary contributions, employer contributions and government contributions.
If you are in New Zealand on a temporary, visitor, work or student visa, you are not eligible for KiwiSaver.
If you contribute to KiwiSaver as a permanent resident and then leave New Zealand for good, you may be able to claim back some of your contributions.
The social welfare system in New Zealand is comprehensive, but many benefits are only available to citizens and permanent residents.
For a rough idea of your entitlements, complete this questionnaire on the New Zealand Work and Income website.
Disability
New Zealand is committed to promoting the active inclusion of disabled people within a tolerant society as outlined in the New Zealand Disability Strategy.
It is one of the few countries to recognise Sign Language as an official language.
Eligibility to Work in New Zealand
Apart from a few exceptions, the majority of foreign nationals visiting New Zealand will need to obtain a visa.
New Zealand offers several types of visas, and eligibility for each depends on your nationality, the length of your stay and whether you are planning to work or study during your visit.
The Immigration New Zealand website provides information about all the options. To work, you usually need to have a firm job offer before making an application for your visa.
Certain professions are in particularly high demand in New Zealand, so check the Green List to see if your role is featured.
Organisational structure
Although large corporate organisations are operating in New Zealand, it has a larger proportion of small businesses than in many developed countries. This means that organisational structure tends to be quite flat, with managers and employees collaborating closely to foster a real team-orientated environment.
Smaller businesses also tend to mean broader roles for workers, giving the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills and really influence the success of the business.
Management style
Business owners and managers in New Zealand try to maintain an open and flexible working environment which rewards initiative, hard-work and productivity.
New Zealanders expect their managers to support them and allow them to express their opinions freely.
Respect is earned by actions rather than through status, and a can-do attitude goes a long way at all levels of employment.
Formality
Compared to many countries, New Zealanders can be quite informal with each other. Most workers are on first-name terms with their colleagues, even if there is a gap in seniority.
However, many people are a bit more reserved when they meet strangers or new contacts, so it’s perhaps best to use titles and surnames to begin with unless introduced by first names.
Relationships
Despite the initial formalities, New Zealanders are generally friendly and sociable, so once introduced a warm relationship can be developed relatively quickly. As a rule, trust is given quite readily, but any abuse of this trust will most likely end the relationship entirely.
It is important to treat your colleagues and contacts the same, as highlighting the status of one person above another is frowned upon.
Correspondence
Business letters in New Zealand are styled similarly to in the UK or Australia.
For emails, start off with a relatively formal exchange, for example beginning your message with ‘Dear’ and ending it with ‘Best wishes’ or ‘Kind regards’.
If you continue to exchange emails the tone may become more conversational, but as a general rule, you should follow the lead of the other person.
Dress code
Although New Zealand has a reputation for fairly relaxed business dealings, the dress code is usually relatively formal, with men generally wearing dark-coloured suits with a collar and tie or an open-necked shirt.
Women may wear either suits or conservative dresses. However, with the high number of small businesses, you are likely to find a bit of variation in the dress code, so check with your employer or colleagues.
Greetings
In business, both men and women in New Zealand tend to exchange a brief handshake at the start and end of a meeting.
The traditional greeting of the Maori people is called the hongi and involves both people gently pressing their foreheads and noses together at the same time. This generally occurs during the Maori greeting ceremony of pōwhiri.
Although you probably won’t need to understand this custom to do business in New Zealand, it may be useful if you decide to visit a Maori marae.
Punctuality
Ensure you confirm meetings in advance and arrive early or on time.
Missing a meeting or turning up late will be seen as an indication that you are unreliable and may negatively affect your future business prospects.
Meetings
Meetings are usually fairly relaxed in style and small talk beforehand is the norm. Good topics include the weather and sport, but keep it polite and not too personal.
Business cards may be exchanged without ceremony. Despite the informal communications, the actual content of a meeting is taken seriously.
It is very important not to rely on sales techniques, exaggerated claims or pure charm – New Zealanders appreciate directness and detail in business dealings.
When presenting a proposal, clearly state all the facts, figures and terms for the best results.
Cultural sensitivity
New Zealand considers itself to be a fairly egalitarian society, so try to treat everyone with the same degree of respect and you should fit in.
If you travel to any Maori sites or meet Maori contacts, try to read up on their customs and understand something of their cultural sensibilities.
Business language
Although New Zealand recognises English, Maori and New Zealand Sign Language as official languages, almost all business dealings in New Zealand take place in English.
Ashika khurana says
New Zealand offers stunning scenery, friendly locals, and a strong work-life balance. The country’s diverse culture, temperate climate, and outdoor activities make it an attractive destination for expats. 🌍💼 #LifeInNZ #WorkInNZ