Understanding the New Zealand job market

Whether you want to work in your field of expertise or try a backpacker job, it’s important to understand the job market in New Zealand.

The unemployment rate is fairly low in New Zealand, having hovered around 4% for many years. However, this doesn’t mean it will be easy to find work as a working holiday maker. Unemployment among the under-25s, for example, is much higher (around 10%).

New Zealand needs a fairly large number of migrants in certain professions where employers are unable to find qualified workers already in New Zealand. However, other professions are completely filled.

How can I research the New Zealand job market?

To find out more about the job market in New Zealand and the possible opportunities out there, use the government website: Careers.govt.nz. The site has a job database, covering 400+ professions in various industries. You can search to find the profession that best matches your current job title.

For each profession listed in the job database, you will find:

• Summary: the average hourly/annual salary, an overview of whether the chances of finding an opportunity in this occupation is good/bad/average, how much training/experience is required, etc.
• About the job: detailed information about job duties, what skills are required, the working conditions, reviews from employees in the industry, etc.
• How to enter the job: the entry requirements for the job, minimum level of education, whether the job is regulated or requires specific qualifications, etc. This section is particularly useful for understanding what potential employers are looking for when creating your CV.
• Job opportunities: gives more details of job opportunities in the sector, the latest job offers published that correspond to the profession, and websites that may be useful in your job search.

You can also look at professional associations in the various sectors by searching “[name of industry] + association New Zealand”. You should be able to find the main trade associations online.

Should I apply for jobs from my home country before starting my WHV?

Most employers will want to meet you in person and make sure that you are already set up to work legally in New Zealand. Very few employers want to commit to you without knowing whether you are actually able to start working. Being in the country allows you to prove immediately that you can start work legally.

You can, of course, start contacting companies a few weeks before your arrival date. Don’t contact them too far in advance, as employers often need someone to start quickly. Don’t be surprised if you don’t receive a response or if they ask you to contact them again once you’re in New Zealand.

What if my company at home has an international branch in New Zealand?

A small minority of people might already work for a company that has a presence in New Zealand. If this is the case, you can try and source information about your company’s activities in New Zealand.

There is often little communication between different branches around the world, but if you are targeting a specific job, the same company in your home country might be able to help; perhaps they can even offer a transfer!