Jobs in New Zealand
Thinking of a new job in a new country? Why not work in New Zealand. Find out opportunities in academia, support services, management and PhD programmes with jobs.ac.uk. 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.
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, giving the opportunity to develop 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.
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