The key to a successful relocation to New Zealand is doing your research and getting to understand how your industry sits in New Zealand's economy and the job market.
It may be that you fit into an area of key skills, have a role vital to our economy, or work in a sector with global shortages like health care. You could also be hired by a particular company that wants to advance its in-house skill levels with your particular experience. By doing your research and knowing this type of information, you are guaranteed more success and less stress looking for a role on these shores.
If you want to get information about where to start job hunting, types of jobs, requirements, and salaries, we have created this guide as a way of explaining step by step the things you need to consider.
We are also more than happy to help you in the right direction so get in touch with our licensed immigration advisers.
Let’s answer some of the most common questions to get you started.
Yes, to immigrate to NZ most individuals looking to make New Zealand their long-term home will need to have an official job offer before securing work rights. There are many companies that are experienced with taking on overseas workers, so that’s where your research comes in handy. By talking to immigration advisers, you will gain confidence and knowledge of how to make this transition work.
Finding job opportunities in New Zealand is always easier if you know how to look for them. For a person who is just starting out, it's worth talking to a licensed immigration adviser first. They will help guide you to relevant websites specifically for migrants looking for work in New Zealand. They also may be associated with employers who are more inclined to take migrants in your field.
If you want to start researching, you can find job opportunities on websites such as Workhere.
To get a feel of what the New Zealand job market is like for locals, there are other big websites like TradeMe and Seek, where New Zealand employers advertise. Also, talking to the specific recruitment agencies for your industry can help as they can provide invaluable information about employers and are incentivised to find you a role.
Another source of helpful information can come from fellow countrymen who have already successfully immigrated, asking them where they found roles, which they found helped, etc. This type of community exists on the web or on social media like Facebook, etc.
There are some conditions and requirements that you have to meet to start a job in New Zealand. Some are:
All employers will ask if you are eligible to work in NZ or hold a relevant visa and document verification from Immigration NZ before hiring you as a worker. You will need to be honest about where you are in the process. Otherwise, this can affect your stay in New Zealand. Hiring companies also face large fines if they are found to employ people without the relevant visas.
Based on what country you live in, the industry you come from, and the role you hold will guide what type of visa you can apply for before considering how to find a job in New Zealand.
Having a skilled job offer is always the clearest route to getting your visa accepted. However, talking to an Immigration adviser can help refine your choices before you start looking, especially as priority is often given to people with essential skills that New Zealand is looking for. You also do not want to burn bridges with potential employers before you are fully prepared.
Once you have reviewed the options and understood the process, you will be ready for the next steps. Finding a job and for every job application, you have to submit your CV along with your experience.
Now, what is needed for a CV? Let's have a look.
Preparing an attractive CV is an essential step for getting any job. As you are seeking job opportunities in New Zealand, make sure it's relevant and appealing to employers in this country.
It may help to find a service in New Zealand that can help review and restructure your CV so you can be confident it is as strong as possible. Recruitment agents can also give you feedback as they see hundreds of CVs each year.
There are many types of CVs, but the two main types that are most commonly used in New Zealand are the following:
This type of CV is the most important one and focuses more on your work experience and career progress. This should include a summary of your key achievements within each role and be set out in chronological order with the most recent employment.
Also known as a “Functional CV” is a type of CV that concentrates mainly on your talents, skills, and credentials rather than your work experience. This type of CV is suggested for you if you are searching for a first-time job in New Zealand or if you are changing your career.
Irrespective of the type of CV, the documents required for your CV to be accepted are:
Other than the above-mentioned documents, you can also include:
Other than these, nothing else needs to be included in your CV to make it look attractive. Photos, marital status, age, and religion are not required.
Yes, It is definitely an advantage to attach a well-written, personalised cover letter with your CV to justify why you are eligible for this job and position. The suitable format for your cover letter should include the following stepwise:
Your cover letter shouldn't exceed a couple of paragraphs. Ensure your cover letter is formal and convincing, and refrain from boasting too much.
LinkedIn has more than 750 million users worldwide, and most recruiters and hiring managers search for interviewees first on LinkedIn before they meet.
So, it is an advantage for you to make a well-structured and professional profile on this platform.
Salary depends on the person's qualifications, studies, experience, and many other things. Looking at New Zealand job sites for the roles you are interested in will give you a good idea of the range. Otherwise, talk to a recruitment agent who manages your field of expertise.
But, every company and employer has different ways to award their workers. So, salaries can vary from company to company and region to region.
With labour shortages due to border closures during the pandemic, many industries in New Zealand are lacking workers. However, some jobs as well are in high demand like:
If you have essential skills missing in New Zealand, this can help fast-track your immigration process.
Talking to recruitment agents and immigration advisers is the first step, as they are the ones in the know about your industry and how to make your application smooth as possible.
Here are some tips that may help you to get a job easily:
New Zealand is no different from any other country in the case of an interview, your behaviour matters, so:
This is only a bite-size summary of how to get into the New Zealand job market, where to learn about your industry, and how to hunt for a job.
As any immigration process will be stressful and full of unknowns, we suggest you keep up to date by reading immigration NZ news newsletters and getting in touch with top-notch immigration advisers with any questions.
Contact us today for immigration advice.
Our highly experienced licensed Immigration team will take away the stress and worry of navigating the complicated world of New Zealand Immigration. All you need to do is get in touch. Our team is on standby, ready to help.
Our highly experienced licensed Immigration team will take away the stress and worry of navigating the complicated world of New Zealand Immigration. All you need to do is get in touch. Our employer team is on standby, ready to help.
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Today the government announced a pathway to residence for migrant workers who are living and working in New Zealand. Applications open on 1 December 2021 for the first wave who are eligible to apply. The second wave can apply from 1 March 2022. The deadline to lodge an application is 31 July 2022 or else they will miss out on this one off opportunity.
Today the government announced a pathway to residence for people living and working in New Zealand. Applications open on 1 December 2021 for the first wave eligible to apply. The second wave can apply from 1 March 2022. The deadline to lodge an application is 31 July 2022 or else you miss the boat.
The government has moved the introduction of the new employer accreditation process across to mid-2022. At the same time, the Minister of Immigration announced new work visa rules for migrant workers who are already in New Zealand and working full time.
The government has increased the median wage to $27 per hour from 19 July. Any Skilled Migrant residence application lodged after this date will need to include a skilled job offer that pays at least $27 per hour. For some lower-skilled occupations, the minimum pay rate increases to $40.50 per hour.
From 19 July 2021
From 30 June 2021
Employers of migrant workers must become accredited from 1 November 2021 before work visa applications can be processed. Most employers are not accredited. Those that are accredited will have to roll into the new system when it goes live in late September.
From mid-2020 (delayed)
Skilled occupation "Dairy Cattle Farmer" spilt into three occupations. New occupations are: "Dairy Farm Manager", "Assistant Dairy Farm Manager" and "Dairy Herd Manager". Each sit at different skill levels, therefore, the award of points will depend on pay rates, job tasks and other requirements.
From 15 February 2021
The government has deferred the fortnightly selection of Expressions of Interest from the Skilled Migrant pool for six months (to be reviewed in April 2021). Invitations to Apply for Residence remain suspended. The last selection from the Skilled Migrant pool took place on 18/03/2020.
From 7 October 2020
The government added four new occupations that are now regarded as skilled employment and may qualify for job offer points under the Skilled Migrant Category. These are:
Aged or disabled carer, Bicycle mechanic, Driller and Nursing Support worker.
From 27 July 2020
Anyone invited by Immigration NZ to apply for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category where their invitation is dated between 1 November 2019 and 15 April 2020 (inclusive) has now been granted an additional six months to lodge their residence application.
From 27 May 2020
The government has deferred the fortnightly selection of Expressions of Interest from the Skilled Migrant pool. This means Invitations to Apply for Residence are also suspended. Malcolm Pacific Immigration does not anticipate selections to resume until after the general election held on 17 October 2020.
Immigration NZ is now prioritising Skilled Migrant Residence applications where the main (principal) applicant meets the criteria:
From 24 February 2020
From 7 October 2019
The government recently added more occupations that are now to be regarded as skilled employment and may qualify for job offer points under the Skilled Migrant Category. In order to qualify for points, the job must be paying at least the current median wage (or higher for certain occupations) at the time the residence application is lodged.
From 1 November 2021
From 1 November 2021 anyone who is not a NZ citizen must be fully vaccinated (unless exempt) before travelling to New Zealand. Fully vaccinated means your last dose of vaccine was given at least 14 days before travelling and it was an approved vaccine.
Applications for employer accreditation closed at the end of June 2021. Applications lodged before the closure date are still being processed. New applications for accreditation open on 9 May 2022. The process will be quite different to what employers have experienced in the past. Businesses will need to meet minimum standards.
Wednesday, 1 December is fast approaching and it is estimated that around 16,000 individuals and families can apply in the first wave for the 2021 Resident Visa opening next month. It is exciting for the thousands of people who have been waiting patiently to become residents that finally the finish line is in sight.
The first wave of applicants can apply from 1 December 2021. Around 16,000 applications are expected in this first wave. The second wave opens on 1 March 2022. In total, the government expects approximately 110,000 applications that will include about 165,000 people.
The second group of workers who can apply online for the 2021 Resident Visa that opens on 1 March 2022 are those who hold an eligible work visa and either meet "Settled", "Skilled" or "Scarce" as set out above. In total Immigration NZ estimate around 110,000 people will qualify to apply for this visa.
The first group of workers who can apply online for the 2021 Resident Visa that opens on 1 December 2021 are those that on 29/09/2021:
Is this the only requirement to qualify for residence? No. In addition to the eligible work visa criteria workers also need to be regarded as one of the following:
People who were lawfully in NZ (or in Australia when the travel bubble closed between April and July 2021) on 29/09/2021 need to meet the visa eligibility criteria:
The government has introduced a limited pathway to residence for people who are already living and working in New Zealand. Applications open on 1 December 2021 for the first wave of people eligible to apply. The second wave opens on 1 March 2022. The deadline to apply for the 2021 Resident Visa is 31 July 2022.
A small number of critical health workers (taking up jobs for six months or longer) or specialist workers (taking up jobs that are for longer than six months) who were granted border exemptions may also have eligibility for the 2021 Resident Visa. They will need to have arrived in NZ and lodge a 2021 Resident Visa application.
*Excludes high-risk countries.
*Excludes high-risk countries.
The work visa categories set to close are:
In order to address labour shortages in New Zealand's crucial industries the NZ government has implemented a "Green List" of sought-after high-skill occupations. This list offers a prioritised pathway to residency.
There are qualification and/or occupational registration requirements to meet. Occupations are broken down into two tiers:
The recent additions in May 2023 across many sectors on the Green List NZ can be found here