Living and working 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.
Latest available jobs in New Zealand
Dutch remote freelancer – B2B credit card sales
Work remotely as a Dutch Account Executive from Athens or Barcelona. Manage the full B2B sales cycle and grow with a global tech-focused sales organisation.
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.
Account Manager in Construction for Job Squad – Fully Remote
Are you a good sales person and have you worked with construction before? Then maybe this is the job for you!
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 abou working 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.
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.
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
What you need to fix when you start working in New Zealand
There are a couple of important things you need to fix when you start living and working in New Zealand:
- Visa & Immigration status; make sure your work visa is approved and valid
- Apply for a tax number; essential for working legally and getting paid correctly
- Open a New Zealand bank account; required for receiving salary
- Get a local SIM card
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).
Acommodation in New Zealand
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.
The average rent in New Zealand:
- 1-bedroom apartment in the city center: NZD $2,100 – $2,800 per month
- 1-bedroom apartment outside the city center: NZD $1,800 – $2,300 per month
- Room in a shared apartment: NZD $900 – $1,300 per month
How expensive is living in New Zealand?
We list the most important costs of living for expats in New Zealand:
- Groceries: NZ$600 – $800 a month
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: NZ$20 – $40
- Coffee in a café: NZ$5 – $7
- 0.5L Beer in a bar: NZ$10 – $14
- Gym membership: NZ$40 – $80 a month
- Cinema ticket: NZ$17 – $22
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.
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.
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.