Live and work in New Zealand
New Zealand is best known for it’s incredible and unique nature, Māori culture, and the Hobbiton movie set. Furthermore, the locals are referred to as Kiwis since First World War due to the national bird, kiwi.
Keep reading to learn what it is like to live and work in New Zealand.
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Latest available jobs in New Zealand
Dutch Junior SEO and Copywriter assistant for Job Squad – fully remote
Do you speak Dutch and do you have a experience with SEO, copywriting, and/or marketing? We have a new fully remote position, and you might be the perfect match for us. Contact us or apply now!
German Junior SEO and Copywriter assistant for Job Squad – fully remote
Do you have a great track record of hiring solid and great employees? Or are you always the one who help and advice your friends on where to look for jobs? Then keep reading!
German B2B Sales, fully remote
We are currently looking for a German employee in sales for a fully remote position. Full-time and part-time positions available.
Currency
The New Zealand Dollar (NZD, $) is the official currency in New Zealand
Famous people
Some famous people from New Zealand are Peter Jackson, Russell Crowe, and Lorde
Population
New Zealand has ~5.2 million residents, many living in Auckland City
Typical food
Hāngī, rewena bread, meat pie, lamb roast, hokey pokey ice cream, fish and chips
Avg. working week
New Zealand has a 36-40 hour work week, 6-8 hours daily, 5 days a week
Location
Located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia, and consists of two main islands (North and South Island) and smaller islands.
Languages
The official language is English, but 4 % of the people speak Māori
Healthcare
Government-funded public healthcare system providing free or low-cost care for residents and some visa holders.
What you need to know about living in New Zealand
Not surprisingly, there is a strong focus on outdoor lifestyle in New Zealand with hiking, camping, and water sports, beaches, and other adventure sports. Furthermore, rugby is a big part of the national identity. Cricket and netball also dominate and there is a growing interest in football and basketball.
People from New Zealand are also referred to as Kiwis, and they’re easygoing, laid-back people with a strong Māori cultural influence.
Get a job in New Zealand if you:
- Want to combine work with experiencing the beautiful and unique outdoor lifestyle.
- Can see yourself becoming part of the friendly and welcoming Kiwi community.
- Enjoy a high quality of life in a laid-back lifestyle focused on nature and work-life balance.
Basic facts about New Zealand
- Average working hours per week: 38-40 hours, 8 hours daily
- Typical working day: Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Number of vacation days: 20 days / 4 weeks
- Commute: Mostly by car, but public transport (buses, trains, ferries) is available in big cities
- Work culture: Relaxed but professional, with a strong emphasis on work-life balance
- Population: There’s approx. 5.2 million people in New Zealand
North Island is generally warmer, volcanic and holds a lot of culture. Auckland has harbors, islands, and a multicultural city vibe. Rotorua is a city where you will find geothermal activity, geysers, and Māori cultural sites. You can also go to Tongariro National Park where you will find Mount Doom (from Lord of the Rings), volcanic landscapes, and alpine trekking. And finally, explore bay of Islands, where there are stunning beaches, marine wildlife, and historic Māori sites.
South Island is more alpine, rugged, and full of beautiful sights. In Queenstown you can do bungee jumping, skiing, and hiking. Fiordland National Park is where you’ll find Milford Sound, with dramatic fjords and waterfalls. Mount Cook is New Zealand’s highest point which is ideal for mountaineering. The West Coast has wild beaches, glaciers (Fox & Franz Josef), and rainforests.
The wildlife in NZ is diverse and their national bird is the kiwi. There’s a lot of penguins and seals along the coasts, and Kaikoura is a great place to spot whales and dolphins.
What is it like to work in New Zealand?
The work environment is professional but informal, with a strong emphasis on work-life balance. It’s a flat hierarchy with focus on teamwork and approachable managers. First names are commonly used, even with senior management.
Punctuality is expected, but workplaces are generally flexible. Diversity and inclusion are important, with respect for Māori culture and traditions.
The standard working hours are 38–40 per week, usually Monday to Friday from 9.00-17.00. Overtime is rare but compensated where necessary, and many workplaces offer flexible hours or remote work options – especially in IT and corporate roles.
Māori culture is respected, and companies often include Te Reo Māori in branding and internal communication. Furthermore, workplaces are often multinational and with equal opportunities for men and women.
Job market and industries in New Zealand
The growing sectors in New Zealand are currently IT, cybersecurity, renewable energy, and AI. Furthermore, you’ll find high-demand jobs in healthcare, construction, education, and agriculture. The tourism and hospitality sectors are recovering but still seasonal.
Some of the strongest sectors are agriculture, tourism, healthcare, construction, and tech. You need a work visa if you’re a non-resident, with pathways to residency for skilled workers. A lot of people choose to work in New Zealand due to the job security – especially in the bigger cities.
How to find jobs and housing in New Zealand
When you need to find a job in New Zealand, it is a good idea to ally yourself with an international recruitment agency. At Job Squad, we have helped a thousands of people find their dream job abroad – you can read their stories here. With a recruitment agency behind you, you’ll get help finding the right job positions. Agencies typically have contacts in a number of companies that are looking for candidates like you.
There are different types of housing available in New Zealand. Apartments are common in major cities like Auckland and Wellington, but they’re usually more expensive. Standalone houses are common in suburbs and smaller towns, often with a backyard. Townhouses or multi-story homes are popular in urban areas. Renting a room in a shared house is common, especially for young professionals and students.
There’s a high demand in major cities, especially Auckland and Wellington. You can find cheaper housing in smaller cities like Dunedin, Hamilton, or Christchurch. Most of the rentals are unfurnished, except for some short-term options.
The average rent in Auckland:
- One-bedroom apartment in the City Centre: NZD $2100 per month.
- Avondale: NZD $2200 per month.
- Epsom: NZD $2400 per month.
- Mt Eden: NZD $2700 per month.
Wellington:
- One-bedroom apartment in the centre: NZD $2000 per month.
- Newtown: NZD $1000 per month.
- Hataitai: NZD $1300 per month.
- Karori: NZD $1200 per month.
Where to look for rentals in New Zealand:
- Trade Me Property (trademe.co.nz/property): most used rental site
- Realestate.co.nz: rental and purchase listings
- Flatmates NZ (flatmates.co.nz): for shared housing
- Facebook Marketplace and local groups: some landlords list rentals directly – look out for scammers
Why should you get a job in New Zealand?
One of the most common reasons why people move to New Zealand is the high quality of life, clean environment, low pollution, and beautiful nature. The cities are also less crowded compared to other developed nations, and the locals are friendly and welcoming. The crime rates are low and you will have a good healthcare system, which all contribute to the high ranking in global happiness and safety indexes.
The nature has everything from snow-capped mountains to golden beaches and green rainforests. The world-famous destinations like Fiordland National Park, Aoraki/Mount Cook, and Lake Tekapo are some of the most popular places to visit. The volcanoes and geothermal areas in the North Island, including Rotorua and Tongariro National Park, are also must-see places.
There are hundreds of trails, including the Great Walks (Milford Track, Routeburn Track, Tongariro Alpine Crossing), and there are plenty of beaches and water sports like surfing, kayaking, sailing, and diving at Bay of Islands, Abel Tasman, and Coromandel. You can also go skiing or snowboarding in the world-class ski resorts in Queenstown, Wanaka, and Mt. Ruapehu.
Popular cities in New Zealand
Speak to one of our recruiters
Life in New Zealand
There’s a multicultural society with a strong Māori influence in traditions, language, and art. Sport is a big part of life in New Zealand, especially rugby and cricket. Outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, surfing, and adventure sports are easily accessible and very popular.
Public healthcare is free or low-cost for residents and work visa holders.
Cultural experiences
Some of the cultural festivals you can experience are:
- Matariki (Māori New Year) which is celebrated with feasts, storytelling, and star-gazing.
- Pasifika Festival (Auckland) which is the largest Pacific Island cultural event in the world.
- World of Wearable Art (WOW) Show (Wellington) which is a fusion of fashion and performance art.
- Hokitika Wildfoods Festival is a unique food experience with local delicacies.
- New Zealand International Film Festival
Typical food in New Zealand
Some of the traditional dishes are Hāngī (Māori slow- and earth-cooked meal), fresh seafood like green-lipped mussels. crayfish, and bluff oysters, fish & chips, pavlova (dessert), and meat pies. There’s a focus of farm-to-table dining with fresh, local ingredients.
New Zealand also has world-class wine regions like Marlborough (Sauvignon Blanc) and Central Otago (Pinot Noir).
Still not convinced about New Zealand?
Queenstown – “Adventure Capital of the World” for bungy jumping, skydiving, and jet boating.
The Great Walks: Multi-day hikes through untouched nature, like the Milford Track.
Dark Sky Reserves: Aoraki Mackenzie for world-class stargazing.
The Māori culture and traditions is integrated in the society with Te Reo Māori (language), haka (a war dance), and pōwhiri (welcome ceremonies) . You can visit a Marae (Māori meeting house) if you want a traditional experience, and you can go to the Māori heritage at Te Papa Museum (Wellington) or Rotorua’s cultural villages. Also, Haka before sports is a must-see cultural experience.
Taxes in New Zealand
The income tax in New Zealand follows a progressive tax system, which means that higher incomes results in higher tax rates. There is no tax-free threshold, so all incomes are taxed:
- 10.5% for income up to $14,000 NZD
- 17.5% for income between $14,001 and $48,000 NZD
- 30% for income between $48,001 and $70,000 NZD
- 33% for income between $70,001 and $180,000 NZD
- 39% for income over $180,000 NZD
FAQ
Work Visa
- Requires a job offer from a New Zealand employer
- Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV): A common option for skilled workers
- Other work visas include a Working Holiday Visa (for young travellers) and a Specific Purpose Work Visa.
Resident Visa
- Skilled Migrant Category (SMC): For highly skilled workers in demand. Points-based system
- Green List Resident Visa: Fast-tracked residency for in-demand occupations
- Partnership Resident Visa: If you have a New Zealand citizen or resident partner
Student Visa
- Required for courses longer than 3 months
- Allows part-time work (up to 20 hours/week) during studies.
New Zealand has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, though they are reversed from the Northern Hemisphere. Summer (Dec–Feb) is warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from 20–30°C. This is the best time for beaches and outdoor activities. Autumn (Mar–May) is mild and colourful with temperatures around 10–25°C. Great for hiking and visiting wine regions. Winter (Jun–Aug) is cold, with temperatures 0–15°C. There is snow in the South Island, which is perfect for skiing. Spring (Sep–Nov) is mild and windy, with temperatures 10–20°C and unpredictable weather.
Rain can occur year-round, and the climate varies by region. The North Island is generally warmer, while the South Island is cooler, especially in winter.
Public transport:
- Buses: Main public transport in cities like Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.
- Trains: Limited passenger services, mostly in Wellington and Auckland. Long-distance scenic trains exist but are not frequent.
- Ferries: Connecting the North and South Islands (Wellington–Picton) and operate in coastal cities like Auckland.
Travelling by car:
- Most people own a car, especially outside major cities.
- Left-hand driving, with well-maintained roads but many winding routes in rural areas.
- Fuel is expensive, and electric vehicles are becoming more common.
Biking and walking:
- Biking is growing in popularity, with dedicated bike lanes in some cities.
- There are walking-friendly cities like Wellington, but hilly terrain can be challenging.
Flights:
- Domestic flights are common due to the country’s length, with Air New Zealand as the main carrier.
- Major airports in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown.
Ride-sharing apps and taxi:
- Uber, Ola, and Zoomy operate in main cities.
- Taxis are available but expensive.
