Getting a Job
If you haven’t arranged employment before you get here, you’ll need to have patience while you search for a job.
The New Zealand market is very different from most countries. Businesses are small, with the average company employing between five and ten staff.
Consequently, roles themselves can be more diverse and the ability to get on with other members of a team is critical. Sometimes this can make finding a position more difficult.
Start where you can, and take it from there
The more experience and qualifications you have, the better your chances of getting the type of work you want. But even well-qualified migrants can take several months to find a job they feel happy with, and you may have to move out of your specialist field. This can be hard for some, particularly as they adjust to the country at the same time.
The key to success may be to find work where you can, get used to the New Zealand workplace, build your experience, and then set about finding work that is closer to what you really want to do.
When you do get a job, one of the things you’ll immediately notice is New Zealanders’ informal approach to work. We very rarely refer to people by their title, we dress more casually than you’re probably used to, and we regularly mix socially with our work colleagues.
In addition to the resources you will find in this area, the Department of Labour provides a range of employment related information for all New Zealanders that may also be useful for you. Consider having a look in the following areas.
Employment Relations is a Department of Labour website which has a lot of information about laws that apply to your relationship with your employer. It also has news about changes that may affect you, and tools to help you calculate pay and develop employment agreements.
The Employment Relations Service offers clients access to Language Line, the telephone interpreting service. To speak to an Employment Relations representative in one of the 39 languages currently offered, phone 0800 209 020. State your language and ‘Language Line’ for an interpreter in your language to be connected.
Occupational Safety & Health provides best practice information and guidance to assist New Zealand businesses with health and safety in the workplace.
Paying Tax
As a New Zealand resident you will be required to pay tax on all the income you receive, whether this is generated in New Zealand or overseas. To do this, you will need to apply to Inland Revenue for an IRD Number. This usually takes about 10 working days, and is necessary to start a job or open a bank account.
