Guide to New Zealand Employment

This guideline has been assembled by On Arrival New Zealand Ltd. to provide you with useful insights into the New Zealand Job Market and to help you determine whether you will qualify for a New Zealand Work Visa or Work to Residence Visa.

It will give you an overview of the New Zealand job market, and help guide you through the process of looking for a job, applying for a job, preparing for an interview, and inform you about employment contracts.

If you’ve got the skills needed by a New Zealand employer, you have an opportunity to live and work in New Zealand both temporarily and permanently.

This guide will give you details on the Skills Shortages List and how to apply for positions for which you may be qualified, and will offer you ways of contacting New Zealand employers who may be seeking individuals with your qualifications.

The contents of the guide are as follows:

INTRODUCTION

THE NEW ZEALAND LABOUR MARKET

Labour Market Outlook

Working Age Population and Labour Force

Employment

Unemployment

EMPLOYMENT

Wages and Salaries

Major Industries Throughout New Zealand

GUIDELINES AND ESSENTIALS FOR WORKING IN NEW ZEALAND

Would You Like To Live And Work In New Zealand?

Can You Work and Live Permanently In New Zealand?

What Opportunities Are There For Working In New Zealand?

Can You Work In New Zealand as a Skilled Migrant?

What Is Required To Qualify Under The Skilled Migrant Category?

THE NEW ZEALAND JOB MARKET

Employment in New Zealand

The Employment Scene

Working Life

The Labour Market

Working Culture

EEO (Equal Employment Opportunities)

Family Balance

Working Conditions

Recent Employment Trends

Recent Employment Trends

NEW ZEALAND SKILL SHORTAGES

Skilled Migrants to Be Actively Recruited In Future

Immediate Skill Shortage List

Long Term Skill Shortage List

NZ STANDARD CLASSIFICATION OF OCCUPATIONS

FINDING A JOB IN NEW ZEALAND

On Arrival "Job Search" Services

Registering With a Professional Recruitment Company

Executive Leasing

Targeting Specific Companies

Using your own Contacts

Work and Income New Zealand

Daily Newspapers, Other Publications and Web Sites

APPLYING FOR A JOB

Curriculum Vitae

THE JOB INTERVIEW

What Employers Generally Look For During The Interview Process

First Impressions Are Very Important

Interview Preparation

Common Questions Asked in Job Interviews

Some Questions for You to Ask in Your Interview

LABOUR LEGISLATION

Employment Agreements

ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation)

PAYE (Employee Income Tax)

OSH (Occupational Safety and Health)

EEO (Equal Employment Opportunities)

Family Balance

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Rates Of Pay

Paying Tax

Accident Insurance

Health And Safety

If You Need Income Support

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS

What Employment Agreements Include

Renewal Of Employment Agreements

Resignation

Dismissal

Redundancy

Retirement

Unions And Bargaining

New Employees

THE TREATY OF WAITANGI

Maori Names

THE ESSENTIALS FOR GETTING WORK IN NEW ZEALAND

The Need for Excellent English

Your Accent

Get Your Qualifications Approved By the NZ Qualifications Authority

You Must Have Positive, Accurate References From Your Former Employer(s)

You Must Have a Valid Work Permit or Residence Permit

FIRST THINGS FIRST

What NZIS Means By Employment…

…And 'Working In New Zealand'

While You're Here…

Applying For Residence…

IN SUMMARY

APPENDIX A

Macroeconomic Background

APPENDIX B

Median Salaries by Job Role

This guide is approximately 2.3MB and is available for download as a PDF file.