How to Find Employment in New Zealand as a Foreigner
Are you planning to relocate for better job opportunities? Then, New Zealand can be a great option for you. The job market in New Zealand is expected to reach a high of 3.02 million in 2025 which makes it completely reasonable for you to start working there with a New Zealand employment visa.
However, applying for a visa is easy; getting a job in New Zealand is a different matter altogether. On top of that, the process is a little different from what you have been doing in your home country. So, you need to start your job search only after understanding the basics of this process.
Why Consider Working in New Zealand?
Well, it is very important to understand the basics of this job search before you start looking for your job. Otherwise, you will be left questioning why you need to travel far from your home country to work in a foreign land.
Benefits of Working in New Zealand
Starting your career in New Zealand comes with more perks than you can imagine. Some exciting benefits of working at a company in New Zealand are:
High Quality of Life
Working in New Zealand gives you the chance to experience a great quality of life. The country enjoys a robust economy and fantastic healthcare. This is how the authorities ensure that you get to live a good life after hustling for life improvement. On top of that, the country also has a fairly family-friendly environment, a perfect environment to live and work in.
Competitive Salaries and Benefits
Moving to New Zealand lets you unlock great job opportunities. Individuals with different skill sets are always valued in the country and it opens multiple doors of opportunities for them. On top of that, you also get to unlock great benefits offered by most New Zealand companies. This lets you get something on top of the competitive salaries offered by your employer. This includes health insurance, holiday bonuses, paid annual leaves, and other things.
Popular Industries for Foreign Workers
There are some industries in New Zealand that have experienced more growth than others. This is exactly what has made foreign job seekers come to the country with a New Zealand employment visa. Some of these sectors are:
Technology and IT
The information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector of New Zealand has flourished a lot over the past few years. This employs more than 120,000 people and brings an average of $9 billion in a year. This is exactly what draws individuals to get a job in this sector. If you are someone who has a specialization in creative, digital, or even health IT technologies then you can consider applying for jobs in this sector.
Healthcare
New Zealand’s healthcare industry ranks top 20 in the entire world. The country is equipped with many public and private hospitals that are great in offering all kinds of medical facilities to its residents. According to a few reports the country still needs more than 3000 doctors to keep up with the growing medical demand. This is why, there is always a constant need for employment in this sector.
You will need to get the following certificates to work in the healthcare sector:
- New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 2)
- New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing – Support Work (Level 3)
- New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing – Health Assistance (Level 3)
Without these and a few others, you will not be allowed to work in private homes, hospitals, and rest homes in New Zealand.
Construction
New Zealand’s construction industry ranks top 3 when it comes to employment in the country and it contributed around NZ $17.5 billion in the year 2023. So, if you want to want to work in an industry with huge demand then this is the one for you. On top of that, this industry always faces some labor shortages. This equals good compensation for your service.
Requirements for Employment in New Zealand
Working in a New Zealand-based company starts with you matching the requirements in the first place. Without understanding these properly you will not even reach to stage where you will be eligible to apply for a work and holiday visa for New Zealand. Some of the things that you need to understand before you start looking for a job in New Zealand are:
Work Visa Requirements
Getting a New Zealand employment visa is the first thing that you need to do right after you get selected for a job. However, you will need to have a job in the country if you are trying to get an employment visa. In case, you are visiting the country looking for a job then you will have to get a visitor visa.
Irrespective of which one you are getting, the process for visa application is very easy. This just includes a few simple steps that take very minimal time in the end.:
Visit the portal: Visit our portal. Remember to check your country’s eligibility before you move on with the rest of the process.
Choose the application form: Find the visa application form and start filling it out with information about yourself and your travel purpose.
Attach documents: Attach scanned copies of the required documents. Some of the documents are the first two pages of your valid passport (one with a minimum of 6 months validity and two blank pages), recent photographs, bank statements, and other additional documents. This additional document differs based on the type of visa you are applying for. For instance, for a New Zealand employment visa, you will have to provide your employment offer letter, release letter from your past organization, and other things required by the authority.
Pay fees: Pay the fee for your visa application through your credit or debit card.
Wait for approval: Receive the visa approval letter on the email ID that you have provided on the visa application form. You will be required to get a few copies of this letter and bring them with you to the airport. The approval step generally takes around 3 to 5 days, in case you do not receive it during this time then you will just have to contact our Helpdesk.
Qualifications and Skill Assessment
The most important thing that you need to understand before you apply for a job in New Zealand is to evaluate your qualifications and skills. This way, it will become easier for you to choose a good industry to start working in.
For instance, if you are someone who has a medical degree then you should choose the healthcare industry. The same goes for others, like education, IT, construction, or anything else.
However, keep in mind that some industries require you to get registrations and certificates. So, you will have to do some research from your end before you start applying for jobs.
Steps to Find a Job in New Zealand
Finding a good job in New Zealand is not tough if you know how you should do it. This search process includes a few simple and easy steps that make the rest of the journey easy. They are:
Research the Job Market
In-depth research really helps in understanding all facets of just anything, and the same goes for the job market. This is why, you should start by properly researching the job market of New Zealand. This will make it easy for you to identify the jobs that are high in demand and the jobs that are not very popular but are quite high-paying. Try to properly analyze the market and read different studies about it if needed.
Prepare a New Zealand-Specific CV and Cover Letter
Your CV and cover letter play the most important role when applying for a job in New Zealand. So, make sure you create a CV that works with the job market before you apply for your New Zealand employment visa. This process is fairly simple and you can also get help from the Internet. You will basically have to keep it short and put the most exciting skills of yourself on the CV.
Use Job Search Resources
Job portals are a great place to find lucrative job opportunities. This is the same place that is used by the top companies when they hire employees in their firms. So, make sure you check places like Seek, Trade Me Jobs, and others. Moreover, you can also work with recruitment agencies to identify the top hiring companies in New Zealand.
Network with Employers
Networking with employers and other employees of any company really helps in unlocking great opportunities. So, make sure you properly utilize the power of LinkedIn. This is a great site for connecting job seekers with potential employers.
Overcoming Common Challenges for Foreign Workers
Working in New Zealand isn’t very challenging. However, shifting bases can sometimes be a little much especially if this is the first time for you. So, you will just have to carefully navigate the process to avoid all the challenges after you get your work and holiday visa for New Zealand.
Navigating Cultural Differences
Depending on the place that you are coming you might or might not face a cultural shift once you move to New Zealand. This can seem like a huge change in the beginning, however, this will get easier with time. Just remember that you will have to be more open about the little changes and be accepting of everything.
Adapting to Workplace Practices in New Zealand
New Zealand’s work culture might be different from yours. NZ supports a progressive work culture that focuses on growth and health. Moreover, it hugely emphasizes work-life balance. So, it is safe to say that you will enjoy working in New Zealand.
Securing Housing and Settling In
You will need to rent out a proper place if you want to work in New Zealand. This is one of the first things that you will have to secure, so make sure you make no mistakes during this. So, start looking for houses right after you get your job and apply for a New Zealand employment visa.
Ready to start working in New Zealand with an employment visa?
Shifting to New Zealand and starting your career there can seem a little tough at first. However, it is fairly easy if you know the right way for it. You will have to minutely scan the market for the right job opportunities that suit your goals and current needs. Once you find it and get accepted for the job then you will promptly have to apply for your New Zealand employment visa. Make sure you make no delays during the process to avoid any issues.
But just in case you do end up in any tricky situation with visa rejection or delays then you can just contact our Helpdesk.