Foreign job for Asians
New Zealand
Living, working or studying in New Zealand?
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Visas & Permits
Before leaving to come to New Zealand, make sure you understand your legal situation. Depending on your nationality, you might need a visa, residence permit and/or work permit. Read our guide to legal requirements for coming to New Zealand or use the Just Landed forums to ask other members for help.
Who needs a visa to come to New Zealand?
Before making any plans to live or work in New Zealand, you must ensure that you have a valid passport and the appropriate permit or visa.
Nationals of Australia can live and work in New Zealand with no more official documentation than their passport. All other nationalities (with some exceptions) must apply for permission to stay in New Zealand, either temporarily or permanently, before their arrival. New Zealand makes a distinction between those staying temporarily, who must apply for a visa or permit, and those wishing to stay permanently, who must apply for residence.
Immigration is a complex subject and the rules are constantly changing. You shouldn’t base any decisions or actions on the information contained in this section without confirming it with an official and reliable source, such as the New Zealand Immigration Service or The Emigration Group.
Residence regulations are taken seriously by the New Zealand authorities and if your application isn’t in order it can result in rejection. The authority responsible for controlling entry to New Zealand is the New Zealand Immigration Service (NZIS, also calledImmigration New Zealand –www.immigration.govt.nz) or Te Ratonga Manene in Maori, a service of the Department of Labour. A list of NZIS offices, branches and agencies in New Zealand and worldwide can be found on the website. New Zealand embassies, consulates and high commissions also provide information on immigration.
Visitors
Requirements and application procedure
If you plan to visit New Zealand for a short period (e.g. for a holiday, business trip or to assess the country before applying for residence), you must apply for a visitor’s visa, if applicable.
Australian citizens don’t need a visa to travel to New Zealand, and nationals of certain countries can use a ‘visa waiver scheme’, which allows them to travel to New Zealand without a visitor’s visa and obtain a visitor permit on arrival.
Currently, countries that operate the visa waiver scheme are: Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (South), Kiribati, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Nauru, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tuvalu, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the UK, Uruguay, the USA (except for nationals from American Samoa and Swains Island), Vatican City and Zimbabwe. Everyone else needs a visitor’s visa to travel to New Zealand and you won’t even be allowed to board a plane to New Zealand without one.
A visitor’s visa is an endorsement in your passport that allows you to travel to New Zealand. The visa may be for a single or multiple journeys, but doesn't necessarily allow you to remain in New Zealand. Those who travel to New Zealand with a visa or visa waiver must complete an arrival card on their outgoing journey, which serves as an application for a visitor permit, which is processed on arrival.
A visitor permit allows you to stay for a short period (usually three months, or six months if you’re a UK citizen) as a tourist, to see friends or relatives, study, take part in sporting and cultural events, undertake a business trip or undergo medical treatment. It doesn’t state on the permit that you may use it to look for a job or visit New Zealand with a view to living there, although many people use it for this purpose (and it’s perfectly legitimate).
Travellers under the visa waiver scheme must have a valid return ticket, sufficient money to support themselves (usually around $1,000 per month or $400 if staying with friends or relatives) and a passport valid for three months beyond the date they intend to leave New Zealand – and must intend to stay in New Zealand for no longer than the period of their permit. If you comply with these requirements, you may travel to New Zealand and should be granted a visitor permit on arrival.
Visitors may stay for a maximum of nine months (which can be made up of a number of shorter periods) in an 18-month period. Once you’ve reached the maximum, you’re required to remain abroad for nine months before returning to New Zealand as a visitor. Visitor permits can be extended by a further three months on application to the NZIS, although this is at their discretion and you're required to be able to support yourself financially without working.
You can be refused a visitor permit (and also a visitor’s visa) if you don’t meet the above requirements or are someone to whom Section 7 of the Immigration Act 1987 applies. This includes those who:
Visitor’s visas can be applied for at NZIS offices and New Zealand diplomatic missions. Like Australia, New Zealand operates a system whereby applications for visas in major cities such as London and New York can be cleared almost instantly via an electronic link with the NZIS computer in New Zealand.
Fees are usually charged for visas and permits and vary depending on the country where you apply. They must be paid for in local currency by bank draft or money order or in cash (if you’re applying in person). Personal cheques and credit cards aren’t usually accepted. Fees aren’t refundable, even if a visa isn’t granted!
Note that as a visitor to New Zealand you aren’t entitled to use publicly funded health services unless you’re a resident or citizen of Australia or a UK national, or hold a permit valid for at least two years (e.g. a long-term business visa). Unless you belong to one of these categories, it’s strongly recommended that you have comprehensive medical insurance for the duration of your visit.
Work visas and permits
Who needs them and how to apply
A work visa allows you to travel to New Zealand to undertake a period of temporary work.
It isn’t usually applicable to those intending to take up permanent residence in the country and applies mostly to contract workers and other short-term employees. Work visas are granted to foreigners only when no suitable New Zealand citizen or resident is available to do a job. Their issue isn’t based on a points system and each case is treated on its merits, taking into account the availability of local labour.
To obtain a work visa you must have a firm offer of a job in writing and apply to the NZIS, which can be done from abroad or within New Zealand (if, for example, you arrive as a visitor and then wish to work).
The visa fee is between around $150 and $290 (depending on where it’s issued) and isn’t refundable, even if your application is rejected! On arrival in New Zealand, you will be issued with a work permit, which applies only to one job for a specified period, usually a maximum of three years (but often for a much shorter period).
Employment prospects
The main problem facing those wishing to work in New Zealand isn’t usually finding a job, but meeting the stringent immigration requirements, particularly concerning qualifications and English language proficiency.
In common with most other developed countries, New Zealand has suffered the ravages of unemployment in recent decades and its economy went into a deep recession during the early ’90s, which resulted in the wholesale closure of businesses throughout the country. In 1992, unemployment reached a peak of around 11 per cent, virtually the worst on record. In the late ’90s, however, the economy picked up, and in late 2001 unemployment was around 5 per cent and fell to its lowest ever recorded level (3.6 per cent) in February 2005 (although among Maoris it was around 11 per cent). By summer 2005, the rate had risen to 4 per cent.
Accountancy and IT are two areas where it’s relatively easy to find work in New Zealand, as there’s a shortage of skilled professionals. Health workers are also in demand, including doctors, nurses, specialists such as radiologists and (in particular) health workers prepared to work outside the main cities.
The Immigration New Zealand website (www.immigration.govt.nz ) has two useful resources for the job seeker: the Long Term Skill Shortage List (formerly the Priority Occupations List or POL) and theImmediate Skill Shortage List (formerly the Occupational Shortages Listor OSL). They detail occupations where there are long-term and immediate shortages of skilled workers.
Many employers have something of a haphazard approach to recruitment and are often reluctant to plan ahead, with the result that they’re slow to lay off surplus staff during periods of recession and are equally slow to recruit new employees (and don't pay sufficient attention to improving skills and training) when business picks up. They do, however, appreciate ‘old-fashioned’ values such as hard work (particularly yours) and a willingness to ‘muck in’ and get things done. Therefore, anyone who arrives in New Zealand with a strong work ethic has something of a head start in the job market.
Qualifications
What qualifications are needed to work in New Zealand?
The most important qualification for a job in New Zealand is a good level of spoken and written English.
With regard to more formal qualifications, it’s a condition of employment for most jobs in New Zealand that overseas qualifications must compare with New Zealand’s standards and be accepted by local employers. An organisation called The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) assesses foreign qualifications to determine whether they meet New Zealand standards. Information and forms are available from the New Zealand Immigration Service or direct from NZQA, PO Box 160, Wellington (www.nzqa.govt.nz ).
RegistrationFor certain jobs you must be registered with the appropriate New Zealand professional organisation. The registration process includes an assessment of your professional or trade qualifications and leads to membership of the appropriate body, thus allowing you to work in New Zealand.
If your trade or profession is one where registration is required, you should contact the relevant body well in advance as you may need to take an examination or undergo a period of retraining, for which you must pay. In some cases examinations can be taken in other countries, although they may be held on one or two days a year only. Since January 1996, it has been necessary to obtain registration (where applicable) before applying for permanent residence.
Occupations where registration is required and the relevant bodies with which registrations must be made are listed below. (Note that occupations are continually being added to the list, so you should check before applying for residence.)
How to look for a job in New Zealand
When looking for a job in New Zealand it’s best to leave no stone unturned – the more applications you make the better your chance of finding something suitable.
The way you market yourself is also important and depends on the type of job you’re seeking. For example, the recruitment of executives and senior managers is handled almost exclusively by recruitment consultants. At the other end of the scale, manual jobs requiring no previous experience may be advertised at Work and Income offices, in local newspapers and on notice boards, or may simply be passed around by word of mouth (i.e. networking). When job hunting you may find the following resources useful:
InternetThe internet is a useful option, particularly if you aren’t in New Zealand – not only can you get a good idea of the jobs available but you can also apply for jobs online. Useful New Zealand websites include the following:
General Sites
www.jobs.govt.nz (jobs in the public sector)
www.kiwicareers.govt.nz (a comprehensive site with job vacancies as well as job finding tips and detailed information about New Zealand industries)
www.workingin.com (also has vacancies for Australia)
Accountancy
www.kpmg.co.nz
Engineering
www.ipenz.org.nz
Farming
www.maf.govt.nz (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry)
www.farmnews.co.nz
Hospitality
www.artisan-recruitment.com
Information Technology (IT)
www.itfutures.co.nz
www.qube.co.nz
www.sabrenz.co.nz
Medical (Doctors & Nurses)
www.moh.govt.nz (Ministry of Health)
www.nursingcouncil.org.nz
www.nursingnz.co.nz
Police
www.police.govt.nz
Skiing Industry
www.goski.com
www.nzski.com
Teaching
www.edgazette.govt.nz/vacancies
www.learningmedia.co.nz
www.teachersonthemove.com
www.teachnz.govt.nz
New Zealand NewspapersObtain copies of as many New Zealand newspapers as possible, most of which contain job sections. Vacancies are advertised most days, the most popular days being Wednesdays and Saturdays.
New Zealand’s main newspapers are regional rather than national and include The Dominion (Wellington, employment sections in the Wednesday and Saturday editions, www.stuff.co.nz ), The Evening Post (Wellington, includes employment vacancies on Wednesdays and Saturdays, www.stuff.co.nz ), The New Zealand Herald (mainly Auckland news and vacancies with some national coverage,www.nzherald.com ), The Otago Daily Times (Dunedin) and The Press(Christchurch, www.stuff.co.nz ). It’s worth checking city libraries abroad, as they sometimes have New Zealand newspapers.
Employment OfficesVisit Work and Income offices in New Zealand. Jobs on offer are mainly non-professional, skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled.
Recruitment Consultancies & Employment AgenciesIf you’re looking for an executive or professional position, you can apply to recruitment consultancies in New Zealand and abroad specialising in the kind of position you’re seeking. They will usually be pleased to help and advise you, whether or not you have applied for permission to live in New Zealand. On the other hand, employment agencies can usually help you only if you’re already in New Zealand and have been granted permanent residence (or, exceptionally, a working holiday visa).
Professional OrganisationsIf you’re a professional it may be worthwhile contacting professional organisations in New Zealand. Although they cannot find you a job, they can often help with advice and provide the names of prospective employers.
Government DepartmentsIf you’re considering a position or career with a government department or another public body, it’s worth contacting the relevant organisation directly. It isn’t necessary to be a New Zealand citizen to apply for many official positions, particularly in areas where there’s a shortage of skills. The government periodically holds exhibitions abroad, particularly in London, mainly to attract young New Zealand professionals back to their country but also to attract professionals of other nationalities.
For many years the New Zealand Ministry of Education has welcomed (in fact, lured and enticed) teachers to fill vacancies in schools in order to combat a serious shortage. Vacancies are advertised through its own recruitment agency, Teach NZ, which operates in English-speaking countries worldwide.
The New Zealand police is also suffering a shortage of experienced officers, as several Australian forces (particularly Queensland) have a habit of poaching experienced New Zealand officers with the lure of a 20 to 30 per cent pay rise. Your local New Zealand Consulate or High Commission will put you in touch with the relevant government department.
Unsolicited Job ApplicationsApply to companies directly in New Zealand, whether or not they’re advertising vacancies. Needless to say, it’s a hit and miss affair, but the advantage is that you aren’t competing directly with dozens of other applicants as with an advertised job vacancy. This approach can be particularly successful if you have skills, experience and qualifications that are in short supply in New Zealand.
When writing from abroad, enclosing an international reply coupon may help to elicit a response. Useful addresses can be obtained from trade directories (such as Kompass New Zealand), which are available at major libraries and New Zealand Chambers of Commerce abroad or from the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce and Industry (www.nzchamber.co.nz ).
NetworkingNetworking (the term originated in the USA, although the practice is universal) is making and using business and professional contacts. You should make use of contacts in New Zealand and with any New Zealanders you come into contact with abroad, including friends, relatives, colleagues and business contacts.
If you’re already in New Zealand, seek out expatriate links such as clubs, pubs and churches. Generally people who have moved to another country are interested to get to know others in a similar position and are happy to pass on job tips or leads.
Before leaving to come to New Zealand, make sure you understand your legal situation. Depending on your nationality, you might need a visa, residence permit and/or work permit. Read our guide to legal requirements for coming to New Zealand or use the Just Landed forums to ask other members for help.
Who needs a visa to come to New Zealand?
Before making any plans to live or work in New Zealand, you must ensure that you have a valid passport and the appropriate permit or visa.
Nationals of Australia can live and work in New Zealand with no more official documentation than their passport. All other nationalities (with some exceptions) must apply for permission to stay in New Zealand, either temporarily or permanently, before their arrival. New Zealand makes a distinction between those staying temporarily, who must apply for a visa or permit, and those wishing to stay permanently, who must apply for residence.
Immigration is a complex subject and the rules are constantly changing. You shouldn’t base any decisions or actions on the information contained in this section without confirming it with an official and reliable source, such as the New Zealand Immigration Service or The Emigration Group.
Residence regulations are taken seriously by the New Zealand authorities and if your application isn’t in order it can result in rejection. The authority responsible for controlling entry to New Zealand is the New Zealand Immigration Service (NZIS, also calledImmigration New Zealand –www.immigration.govt.nz) or Te Ratonga Manene in Maori, a service of the Department of Labour. A list of NZIS offices, branches and agencies in New Zealand and worldwide can be found on the website. New Zealand embassies, consulates and high commissions also provide information on immigration.
Visitors
Requirements and application procedure
If you plan to visit New Zealand for a short period (e.g. for a holiday, business trip or to assess the country before applying for residence), you must apply for a visitor’s visa, if applicable.
Australian citizens don’t need a visa to travel to New Zealand, and nationals of certain countries can use a ‘visa waiver scheme’, which allows them to travel to New Zealand without a visitor’s visa and obtain a visitor permit on arrival.
Currently, countries that operate the visa waiver scheme are: Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (South), Kiribati, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Nauru, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tuvalu, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the UK, Uruguay, the USA (except for nationals from American Samoa and Swains Island), Vatican City and Zimbabwe. Everyone else needs a visitor’s visa to travel to New Zealand and you won’t even be allowed to board a plane to New Zealand without one.
A visitor’s visa is an endorsement in your passport that allows you to travel to New Zealand. The visa may be for a single or multiple journeys, but doesn't necessarily allow you to remain in New Zealand. Those who travel to New Zealand with a visa or visa waiver must complete an arrival card on their outgoing journey, which serves as an application for a visitor permit, which is processed on arrival.
A visitor permit allows you to stay for a short period (usually three months, or six months if you’re a UK citizen) as a tourist, to see friends or relatives, study, take part in sporting and cultural events, undertake a business trip or undergo medical treatment. It doesn’t state on the permit that you may use it to look for a job or visit New Zealand with a view to living there, although many people use it for this purpose (and it’s perfectly legitimate).
Travellers under the visa waiver scheme must have a valid return ticket, sufficient money to support themselves (usually around $1,000 per month or $400 if staying with friends or relatives) and a passport valid for three months beyond the date they intend to leave New Zealand – and must intend to stay in New Zealand for no longer than the period of their permit. If you comply with these requirements, you may travel to New Zealand and should be granted a visitor permit on arrival.
Visitors may stay for a maximum of nine months (which can be made up of a number of shorter periods) in an 18-month period. Once you’ve reached the maximum, you’re required to remain abroad for nine months before returning to New Zealand as a visitor. Visitor permits can be extended by a further three months on application to the NZIS, although this is at their discretion and you're required to be able to support yourself financially without working.
You can be refused a visitor permit (and also a visitor’s visa) if you don’t meet the above requirements or are someone to whom Section 7 of the Immigration Act 1987 applies. This includes those who:
- have been deported from any country;
- are the subject of a New Zealand ‘removal order’; have committed a criminal offence which resulted in imprisonment of 12 months or more;
- are believed to have criminal associations or are suspected of constituting a danger to New Zealand’s security or public order.
Visitor’s visas can be applied for at NZIS offices and New Zealand diplomatic missions. Like Australia, New Zealand operates a system whereby applications for visas in major cities such as London and New York can be cleared almost instantly via an electronic link with the NZIS computer in New Zealand.
Fees are usually charged for visas and permits and vary depending on the country where you apply. They must be paid for in local currency by bank draft or money order or in cash (if you’re applying in person). Personal cheques and credit cards aren’t usually accepted. Fees aren’t refundable, even if a visa isn’t granted!
Note that as a visitor to New Zealand you aren’t entitled to use publicly funded health services unless you’re a resident or citizen of Australia or a UK national, or hold a permit valid for at least two years (e.g. a long-term business visa). Unless you belong to one of these categories, it’s strongly recommended that you have comprehensive medical insurance for the duration of your visit.
Work visas and permits
Who needs them and how to apply
A work visa allows you to travel to New Zealand to undertake a period of temporary work.
It isn’t usually applicable to those intending to take up permanent residence in the country and applies mostly to contract workers and other short-term employees. Work visas are granted to foreigners only when no suitable New Zealand citizen or resident is available to do a job. Their issue isn’t based on a points system and each case is treated on its merits, taking into account the availability of local labour.
To obtain a work visa you must have a firm offer of a job in writing and apply to the NZIS, which can be done from abroad or within New Zealand (if, for example, you arrive as a visitor and then wish to work).
The visa fee is between around $150 and $290 (depending on where it’s issued) and isn’t refundable, even if your application is rejected! On arrival in New Zealand, you will be issued with a work permit, which applies only to one job for a specified period, usually a maximum of three years (but often for a much shorter period).
Employment prospects
The main problem facing those wishing to work in New Zealand isn’t usually finding a job, but meeting the stringent immigration requirements, particularly concerning qualifications and English language proficiency.
In common with most other developed countries, New Zealand has suffered the ravages of unemployment in recent decades and its economy went into a deep recession during the early ’90s, which resulted in the wholesale closure of businesses throughout the country. In 1992, unemployment reached a peak of around 11 per cent, virtually the worst on record. In the late ’90s, however, the economy picked up, and in late 2001 unemployment was around 5 per cent and fell to its lowest ever recorded level (3.6 per cent) in February 2005 (although among Maoris it was around 11 per cent). By summer 2005, the rate had risen to 4 per cent.
Accountancy and IT are two areas where it’s relatively easy to find work in New Zealand, as there’s a shortage of skilled professionals. Health workers are also in demand, including doctors, nurses, specialists such as radiologists and (in particular) health workers prepared to work outside the main cities.
The Immigration New Zealand website (www.immigration.govt.nz ) has two useful resources for the job seeker: the Long Term Skill Shortage List (formerly the Priority Occupations List or POL) and theImmediate Skill Shortage List (formerly the Occupational Shortages Listor OSL). They detail occupations where there are long-term and immediate shortages of skilled workers.
Many employers have something of a haphazard approach to recruitment and are often reluctant to plan ahead, with the result that they’re slow to lay off surplus staff during periods of recession and are equally slow to recruit new employees (and don't pay sufficient attention to improving skills and training) when business picks up. They do, however, appreciate ‘old-fashioned’ values such as hard work (particularly yours) and a willingness to ‘muck in’ and get things done. Therefore, anyone who arrives in New Zealand with a strong work ethic has something of a head start in the job market.
Qualifications
What qualifications are needed to work in New Zealand?
The most important qualification for a job in New Zealand is a good level of spoken and written English.
With regard to more formal qualifications, it’s a condition of employment for most jobs in New Zealand that overseas qualifications must compare with New Zealand’s standards and be accepted by local employers. An organisation called The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) assesses foreign qualifications to determine whether they meet New Zealand standards. Information and forms are available from the New Zealand Immigration Service or direct from NZQA, PO Box 160, Wellington (www.nzqa.govt.nz ).
RegistrationFor certain jobs you must be registered with the appropriate New Zealand professional organisation. The registration process includes an assessment of your professional or trade qualifications and leads to membership of the appropriate body, thus allowing you to work in New Zealand.
If your trade or profession is one where registration is required, you should contact the relevant body well in advance as you may need to take an examination or undergo a period of retraining, for which you must pay. In some cases examinations can be taken in other countries, although they may be held on one or two days a year only. Since January 1996, it has been necessary to obtain registration (where applicable) before applying for permanent residence.
Occupations where registration is required and the relevant bodies with which registrations must be made are listed below. (Note that occupations are continually being added to the list, so you should check before applying for residence.)
- Architects: Architects Education and Registration Board, PO Box 11-106, Wellington (Tel. 04-801 8972,www.aerb.org.nz ).
- Barristers and Solicitors: New Zealand Law Society, PO Box 5041, Wellington (Tel. 04-472 7837, www.nz-lawsoc.org.nz ).
- Dentists: Dental Council of New Zealand, PO Box 10-448, Wellington (Tel. 04-499 4820, www.dentalcouncil.org.nz ).
- Dental Technicians: Dental Technicians Board, PO Box 11-053, Ellerslie, Auckland (Tel. 09-579 7096, www.dentaltec.org.nz ).
- Electricians and Line Mechanics: Electrical Workers Registration Board, PO Box 10-156, Wellington (Tel. 04-472 3636, www.med.govt.nz/ewrb/ ).
- Engineers: Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ), PO Box 12-241, Wellington (Tel. 04-473 9444,www.ipenz.org.nz ).
- Estate Agents: Real Estate Agents Licensing Board, PO Box 1247, Wellington (Tel. 04-520 6949).
- Medical Practitioners: Medical Council of New Zealand, PO Box 11-649, Wellington (Tel. 04-384 7635, www.mcnz.org.nz ).
- Midwives and Nurses: Nursing Council of New Zealand, PO Box 9644, Wellington (Tel. 04-802 0247,www.nursingcouncil.org.nz ).
- Pharmacists: Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand, PO Box 11-640, Wellington (Tel. 04-802 0030, www.psnz.org.nz ).
- Physiotherapists: The Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand, PO Box 10-734, Wellington (Tel. 04-471 2610,www.physioboard.org.nz ).
- Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers: Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board, PO Box 10-655, Wellington (Tel. 04-494 2970, www.pgdb.co.nz ).
- Surveyors: Cadastral Surveyors Licensing Board of New Zealand, PO Box 12-241, Wellington (Tel. 04-473 2020,www.cslb.org.nz ).
- Teachers (in primary and secondary schools and free kindergartens): Teachers Registration Board, Private Bag 1666, Wellington (Tel. 04-471 0852, www.trb.govt.nz ).
- Veterinarians: Veterinary Council of New Zealand, PO Box 10-563, Wellington (Tel. 04-473 9600, www.vetcouncil.org.nz ).
- Chiropractors, Dieticians, Dispensing Opticians, Medical Laboratory Technologists, Medical Radiation Technologists, Occupational Therapists, Optometrists, Podiatrists and Psychologists (if employed in state services or a licensed institution): Registration Boards Secretariat, PO Box 10-140, Wellington (Tel. 04-499 7979).
How to look for a job in New Zealand
When looking for a job in New Zealand it’s best to leave no stone unturned – the more applications you make the better your chance of finding something suitable.
The way you market yourself is also important and depends on the type of job you’re seeking. For example, the recruitment of executives and senior managers is handled almost exclusively by recruitment consultants. At the other end of the scale, manual jobs requiring no previous experience may be advertised at Work and Income offices, in local newspapers and on notice boards, or may simply be passed around by word of mouth (i.e. networking). When job hunting you may find the following resources useful:
InternetThe internet is a useful option, particularly if you aren’t in New Zealand – not only can you get a good idea of the jobs available but you can also apply for jobs online. Useful New Zealand websites include the following:
General Sites
www.jobs.govt.nz (jobs in the public sector)
www.kiwicareers.govt.nz (a comprehensive site with job vacancies as well as job finding tips and detailed information about New Zealand industries)
www.workingin.com (also has vacancies for Australia)
Accountancy
www.kpmg.co.nz
Engineering
www.ipenz.org.nz
Farming
www.maf.govt.nz (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry)
www.farmnews.co.nz
Hospitality
www.artisan-recruitment.com
Information Technology (IT)
www.itfutures.co.nz
www.qube.co.nz
www.sabrenz.co.nz
Medical (Doctors & Nurses)
www.moh.govt.nz (Ministry of Health)
www.nursingcouncil.org.nz
www.nursingnz.co.nz
Police
www.police.govt.nz
Skiing Industry
www.goski.com
www.nzski.com
Teaching
www.edgazette.govt.nz/vacancies
www.learningmedia.co.nz
www.teachersonthemove.com
www.teachnz.govt.nz
New Zealand NewspapersObtain copies of as many New Zealand newspapers as possible, most of which contain job sections. Vacancies are advertised most days, the most popular days being Wednesdays and Saturdays.
New Zealand’s main newspapers are regional rather than national and include The Dominion (Wellington, employment sections in the Wednesday and Saturday editions, www.stuff.co.nz ), The Evening Post (Wellington, includes employment vacancies on Wednesdays and Saturdays, www.stuff.co.nz ), The New Zealand Herald (mainly Auckland news and vacancies with some national coverage,www.nzherald.com ), The Otago Daily Times (Dunedin) and The Press(Christchurch, www.stuff.co.nz ). It’s worth checking city libraries abroad, as they sometimes have New Zealand newspapers.
Employment OfficesVisit Work and Income offices in New Zealand. Jobs on offer are mainly non-professional, skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled.
Recruitment Consultancies & Employment AgenciesIf you’re looking for an executive or professional position, you can apply to recruitment consultancies in New Zealand and abroad specialising in the kind of position you’re seeking. They will usually be pleased to help and advise you, whether or not you have applied for permission to live in New Zealand. On the other hand, employment agencies can usually help you only if you’re already in New Zealand and have been granted permanent residence (or, exceptionally, a working holiday visa).
Professional OrganisationsIf you’re a professional it may be worthwhile contacting professional organisations in New Zealand. Although they cannot find you a job, they can often help with advice and provide the names of prospective employers.
Government DepartmentsIf you’re considering a position or career with a government department or another public body, it’s worth contacting the relevant organisation directly. It isn’t necessary to be a New Zealand citizen to apply for many official positions, particularly in areas where there’s a shortage of skills. The government periodically holds exhibitions abroad, particularly in London, mainly to attract young New Zealand professionals back to their country but also to attract professionals of other nationalities.
For many years the New Zealand Ministry of Education has welcomed (in fact, lured and enticed) teachers to fill vacancies in schools in order to combat a serious shortage. Vacancies are advertised through its own recruitment agency, Teach NZ, which operates in English-speaking countries worldwide.
The New Zealand police is also suffering a shortage of experienced officers, as several Australian forces (particularly Queensland) have a habit of poaching experienced New Zealand officers with the lure of a 20 to 30 per cent pay rise. Your local New Zealand Consulate or High Commission will put you in touch with the relevant government department.
Unsolicited Job ApplicationsApply to companies directly in New Zealand, whether or not they’re advertising vacancies. Needless to say, it’s a hit and miss affair, but the advantage is that you aren’t competing directly with dozens of other applicants as with an advertised job vacancy. This approach can be particularly successful if you have skills, experience and qualifications that are in short supply in New Zealand.
When writing from abroad, enclosing an international reply coupon may help to elicit a response. Useful addresses can be obtained from trade directories (such as Kompass New Zealand), which are available at major libraries and New Zealand Chambers of Commerce abroad or from the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce and Industry (www.nzchamber.co.nz ).
NetworkingNetworking (the term originated in the USA, although the practice is universal) is making and using business and professional contacts. You should make use of contacts in New Zealand and with any New Zealanders you come into contact with abroad, including friends, relatives, colleagues and business contacts.
If you’re already in New Zealand, seek out expatriate links such as clubs, pubs and churches. Generally people who have moved to another country are interested to get to know others in a similar position and are happy to pass on job tips or leads.
