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How to Work in New Zealand | Requirements, Salary, and Tips
New Zealand is a destination with a prosperous economy, enviable nature, and a welfare system that attracts many travelers, adventurers, and international workers looking for new job opportunities. This article is aimed at this latter group. Our friend Daa from @daatravel tells how to work in New Zealand with lots of practical advice and even a contact for find a job from your first day in fruit seasons, such as the famous New Zealand kiwi.
💻Also offers personalized advice for just €20 for those who want to go beyond the article information. You can ask him through Instagram.
Although the cost of living may seem high, especially in large cities like AucklandWellington and QueenstownIt remains more affordable than in other countries, such as Australia, the United Kingdom, or the United States. Furthermore, it's one of the easiest destinations in the world to live in a camper van.
In general, although it is not the cheapest country in the world, it is within the top 10, along with Australia, of the countries with the greatest capacity to save.
Requirements to work in New Zealand
The requirements you will need to meet to work in New Zealand It will depend on the visa you are eligible for., your nationality and the type of work you want to do.
Visas to work in New Zealand
There are two visas focused on travelers Those who want to go to work and save are the ones we're going to talk to you about. Although, of course, there are also more professional options and those that allow you to stay longer, they aren't easy to find, so we always recommend starting with one of these two.
The main data that will condition Which visa to choose will depend on age The most common visa among younger people is the Working Holiday Visa, but if you are over 30 (in most countries) you will not be able to apply.carLikewise, it's good to know that, in that case, you have other visa options which you can apply for. Below, I've detailed the options and requirements:
Working Holiday Visa
Opting for this visa is the way simpler and more widespread for those looking for work in New Zealand and meets the requirements.
The New Zealand Working Holiday allows you to live and work for a year with the possibility of extending it for 3 more months if you meet the requirement of having worked at least 3 months in an Agricultural or Horticultural company.
Requirements for a Working Holiday Visa
Unfortunately, to apply for it and work in New Zealand, you must meet several requirements and pay a rather high fee. The following must be met and taken into account:
- That there are still slots available to applycar to the visa. Some countries have limited annual places.
- Have between 18 and 30 years (35 for Argentina, Chile and Uruguay) at the time of applicationcarOnce applied, you will have 1 year to be able to arrive in the country, even if you have already turned 31 (or 36).
- Valid passport.
- Enough money to pay for the visa, NZ $670 (€372)).
- Not having had this visa before.
- In some nationalities such as Argentina and Uruguay, they are also asking for them NZ$4200 funds so you'll have to be careful.
- Peruvians must prove that they have completed at least 3 years of higher education technicians or university students.
It is important verifiedcar the requirements always, as it could change by the time you apply. This information is updated to March 2025. To check it and see the details of other nationalities, you can enter the immigration website.
SSE Visa, another option for working in New Zealand
La Supplementary Seasonal Visa visa allows you to live and work for 6 months EXCLUSIVELY in jobs related to agriculture and horticulture. In addition, it is not valid with any company, but it must be registered in she is ready.
Requirements for the SSE Visa
- Being in New Zealand at the time of applicationcar to the visa.
- Having 18 years the poor.
- Passport valid for at least 3 months after your departure from New Zealand.
- Having a exit ticket of the country or sufficient funds to be able to purchase one.
- Having an carta job offer from one of the companies on the list or, failing that, the Evidence from emails that you have been applying for jobs.
- Not having previously applied for that visa.
Where to live in New Zealand
Before we start talking about how to work in New Zealand, find a job, best seasons and procedures that you will need to do, let's start with something that worries many people, where to live.
A first piece of advice is to choose whether your New Zealand adventure will start in the South or North Island, if you intend to travel by bus.car We recommend you work right when you arrive. start with the island where there will be more work in the following months (we'll tell you more later!). If it's the South you can look for flights directly to Christchurch and for the North to Auckland.
Living in a hostel
This is a very good option for your first daysDon't worry about trying to searchcar It's best to book a house and/or vehicle before arriving in New Zealand. Staying in a hostel will allow you to meet many people, perhaps make some interesting contacts, and have time to complete paperwork and searches more calmly.
✅ Cheap hostels in Christchurch:
The Bealey Quarter
Hotel Give
Urbanz
✅ Cheap hostels in Auckland:
Choice Backpackers
Verandahs Parkside Lodge
Although most use them for their first week or two, there are also who stays to live for months while working in the city center. In some cases, they can be a more economical option than renting an apartment and perfect for those looking for a more social life.
For yours First days If you're short on money, or prefer not to spend it on a hostel, you have the option of taking the bus.car un couchsurfing, an petsitting or volunteering on platforms such as worldpackers, are three of the platforms for free travel (or almost) that we recommend the most.
Shared flats
Once settled in, usually after finding a job, many travelers look for an apartment or shared house. We recommend do it when you already have the job Because you may not find accommodation where you are and have to move to another part of the country, or your employer may even offer you housing, something that happens especially with hotels in remote areas.
The best way to buscar shared accommodation is being sought in Facebook groupsYou can actively search while also posting your interest in finding an apartment.
Camper van
The procedures for purchasing a vehicle are very simple, and the transportation network isn't very good, so typically everyone who goes to work in New Zealand buys a vehicle.
There are those who just want to travel and get around, but also those who choose to live in it to be able to save more and to be able to have more room for maneuverIf you get a job offer in another city, moving is as easy as startingcar and fill the tank.
The facilities of the New Zealand campsites free (or almost) are many. It will be easier in small towns or rural areasYou'll also have to be a little resourceful because many free campsites only allow parking. a few days a month, and it is controlled.
How find work in New Zealand
Finding work in New Zealand can be a tedious process since in most cases you will be asked to conduct a face-to-face interview or many companies receive so many resumes that it ends up working more appear in person or send an email directly to the company in question.
It will also depend a lot on the type of job you are looking for, it is not the same to work for a hotel company or packhouse (fruit packer), who is in the field picking kiwis (or other fruits and vegetables) for the latter I recommend you go in person.
Job portals in New Zealand
Some of the best portals to find work in New Zealand are:
- Seek→ It is the largest, with jobs of all kinds. Including seasonal ones, useful for restoration, hotels and some agricultural work.
- Trade me jobs → Ideal for temporary jobs and short-term, such as in hotels, restaurants or farms.
- PickNZ → Specialized in farm work. Like working in New Zealand during kiwi or cherry season.
- Backpacker board → Very focused on people with WHV.
- Linkedin and Indeed that works worldwide.
They are not portals as such, but two other options that work very well in New Zealand are:
- Facebook groups, you can buscarwriting them New Zealand or the city where you are +backpackers , +latinos o +jobs. You can there write that you are looking for work or see if any offers are posted.
- Recruiters (recruitment), many companies subcontract with them to find staff and it is easy for them to offer you a few hours or weekends in different jobs, even if it is not full-time. register online or in person.
When buscar work in New Zealand
When asked what season is best to find work in New Zealand? I'll tell you that ALWAYS. It is one of the great advantages of going to work in New Zealand, there is many seasons in which to do different types of jobs, unlike other places like Iceland.
You'll be able to find it all year round, if not on the North Island, then on the South Island, and vice versa. However, you're going to have to move. It depends on the type of job you're looking for. You might get lucky and work in the same place all the time. But in general, people change. When you're going to change jobs, it's the best time to take advantage of traveling, get to know some of the best places in the country and do Hiking through spectacular places.
Farming jobs, kiwi season in New Zealand (and more)
Many farms and plantations in New Zealand are looking for workers for harvesting, planting, and maintenance tasks. These jobs are seasonal and offer the opportunity to live in rural areas.
They are a very good opportunity to start working in New Zealand since there is a lot of supply and no previous experience or English required. 📞⚠️ You can leave me a comment if you are interested to share your contacts to find work in kiwi, apples and citrus.
| Location | Cultivation | Season |
|---|---|---|
| North island | kiwis | March – June (harvest) / October – December (pruning) |
| Avocados | August – April | |
| Citrus | June – September | |
| apples and pears | January – April | |
| Grapes | February – April | |
| strawberries and blueberries | October – March | |
| Corn | January – April | |
| South Island | Cherries | December January |
| Grapes | March – May | |
| apples and pears | March – May | |
| Apricots, Peaches, Plum | January – February | |
| Carrot | January – October | |
| Tomato | All year | |
| Potato and Sweet Potato | All year | |
| Onion | January – March | |
| Cabbage and broccoli | All year |
Hostel and Tourism
New Zealand is a major tourist destination, so employees are constantly being sought for jobs in restaurants, bars, hotels and tourist activitiesSpecialized skills are not usually required, although customer service experience is a plus, as is a good level of English.
In this case, it would be better to look for work during the peak season, as that's when there will be more job offers, both on the South and North Islands:
- Hospitality and catering: summer season (November – February)
- Ski staff: winter (June – September)
Also related to the peak tourist seasons (November – February) near Airports a lot of staff is sought for car and van cleaning or if you have good English also for customer service in the vehicle delivery.
Construction and labor
There is a constant demand for workers in the construction sector, from general laborers to bricklayer's assistants or carPainters. Some jobs require experience, but others are low-level.
In this case, you will be able to find them on online portals job search.
Cleaning and maintenance
Cleaning jobs in offices, homes, and hotels are also common for those without experience or English. Especially in hotels as cleaning staff. Housekeeping (room cleaning).
💡Want more one-on-one advice on the best jobs? ⪼You can hire a personalized advice via video call contacting me at Instagram.
Salaries for unskilled positions
If we talk about salaries for unskilled jobs like the ones I mentioned above, they are usually around NZD 22-25 per hour (12 to 15 EUR).
This, although it may not be enough for a luxurious lifestyle, is enough to cover basic needs. and live well, especially if you work in rural areas where prices are lower. Especially if you work long hours and try not to spend too much, it will allow you to generate some good savings. And
As this is usually one of the big questions about how to work in New Zealand let's see it in detail.
Salary and taxes in New Zealand
In New Zealand, unlike Spain, Social Security is not applied to payrolls, so your paycheck will only show the tax deduction based on the income you generate. In most jobs, payment is weekly, Although there is also the option to receive payment biweekly. This payment frequency also applies to other areas such as gym fees or rent.
minimum salary
The minimum wage for 2025 is $23,15 an hour. A 1-cent increase has been approved for April 35, bringing the minimum wage to $23,50 an hour.
Taxes and tax code
New Zealand's tax system is very simple and is basically based on the application of progressive taxes on total income. The tax year runs from April 1 to March 31 of the following year. The tax applies to both residents and non-residents. Below is the tax table according to New Zealand law.
| Per dollar entered | Tax rate |
|---|---|
| 0 - $ 14,000 | 10.5 % |
| $ 14,001 - $ 15,600 | 12.82 % |
| $ 15,601 - $ 48,000 | 17.5 % |
| $ 48,001 - $ 53,500 | 21.64 % |
| $ 53,501 - $ 70,000 | 30 % |
| $ 70,001 - $ 78,100 | 30.99 % |
| $ 78,101 - $ 180,000 | 33 % |
| $180,001 and up | 39 % |
Another thing you will have to keep in mind and that they will ask you for in any job is the TAX CODE. This fiscal Code It is used to determine what type of taxes need to be appliedcar to each worker.
The most common are M and CAE. M is the most general and is used when it's a long-term job or when you have two jobs. It's a code that calculates your tax directly based on the weekly income you receive.
The CAE code is a temporary code that cannot be used for more than 3 months. This code is recommended for very temporary work where you will work more than 50 hours per week. The CAE is a fixed percentage of your total weekly earnings, so if you will be working fewer than 50 hours, the M code will always apply to you.carat a lower percentage.
How the working hours
It is also interesting to talk about this topic in the guide of how to work in New Zealand. In most jobs, the workday is 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week. Although there are jobs that have special temporary clauses that they would not have a maximum number of hours a day or a week like those in the countryside or packhouse.
Breaks and food
Breaks usually vary depending on the hours worked. After 4 hours you are entitled to a break of lunch de 30 minutes unpaid, in addition to paid breaks based on time worked.
- 2 hours long., but less than 4 hours would correspond to 1 break of a minimum of 10 minutes.
- 4 hours long., but less than 6 hours would correspond to 1 break of a minimum of 10 minutes.
- 6 hours long., but less than 10 hours would correspond to 2 breaks of a minimum of 10 minutes.
- And in days +10 hours, but less than 12 hours would correspond to 3 breaks of a minimum of 10 minutes.
English is required for work in New Zealand in 2025?
Despite being an English-speaking country, not strictly necessary speak English to find work in New Zealand, but having at least a basic or intermediate level significantly increases your chances, especially for higher-paying jobs and in non-manual industries.
For jobs like those in the fields or hospitality industry, especially in the countryside, you won't have any language problems. Plus, these are sectors where you'll find many Spanish-speaking people.
Paperwork to work in New Zealand
This is an aspect that we really like about working in New Zealand and is that the procedures once in the country are simple and fast, in just a few days you'll be able to work now.
IDR – The most important
In order to work you will need to be able to have the IDR numberIt is the equivalent of the Social Security number in Spain.
To obtain it, you can do so from outside the country, but I recommend that you do it once you are in the country, as it is much faster to process. To process it, you will only have to enter this website, fill the form that asks you and in a few days (or even hours) you'll receive your code. It's very easy!
Banned accountcaria
Another procedure that you will have to do once you arrive is the bank account, you'll need the IDR number to open it. There are quite a few account options to choose from, but the one you'll find most useful is the Everyday Account which is basically an account to receive the money you receive and use it day by day.
Also some accounts offer you the account Savings account whose goal is to save without tocar You can deposit that money and earn a small amount of interest. Here are some recommended banks.
ANZ Bank
They have the Go Account, which is for everyday use and is perfect because it doesn't charge any maintenance fees or fees for domestic transfers. It includes a debit card when you open the account. Recommended for its extensive network of branches and ATMs even in more remote villages.
To process it, you may need to make an appointment at the branch, and you may be asked for proof of address.
Kiwibank
It is the most competitive bank in terms of rates and is that most backpackers trust. In this case, I wouldn't include a debit card. It's easy to apply for one, and there's no card maintenance fee or fees for domestic transfers.
One option is to continue using in New Zealand some of the travel cards More popularThey also don't charge commissions, and you probably already have one from your previous trips. But you do need a bank account.carNew Zealand ia to receive your salary.
BNZ Bank
They also have the YouMoney account for daily use. It also does not charge maintenance or commissions. for domestic transfers. In this case, it also offers a debit card.
Recommended for being New Zealand's strongest bank with excellent customer service.
Finding a job in a new country can sometimes seem complicated, as you have to focus on the type of work and requirements of each location.
Prepare a Curriculum and Cover Letter that adapts to the needs of each type of job position and uses both local and job platforms acercarte to the companies to present it on paper so they can see it. This works a lot in New Zealand!
Start your search today and discover your new professional adventure! If you have any questions about How to work in New Zealand in 2025 You can leave us a comment and we will be happy to help you.
