Finding a job in New Zealand

In the health and engineering sectors in particular, your national diplomas are not recognised and you will have to take steps to obtain diploma equivalences or register with specific bodies. If you want to try and find a job in your field when you go to New Zealand, we strongly recommend that you find out about the opportunities and rules that apply in the profession before you leave, so that you can start the various steps that may be required of you well before you leave.

Some professions are regulated and you must first join a professional association in order to practise them: chartered accountant, architect, lawyer, power line installer, land surveyor, lawyer, chiropractor, clinical psychologist, dental technician, dentist, dental hygienist, dietician, electrician, engineer, laboratory technician, laboratory scientist, radiologist, doctor, midwife, nurse, occupational therapist, prescription optician, osteopath, pharmacist, physiotherapist, plumber, gas fitter, chiropodist, estate agent, teacher, veterinary surgeon.

To find the contact details of the associations that can authorise you to practise one of these professions, go to Immigration New Zealand.

On the careersNZ site, the “How to enter the job” section contains the links you need on this subject. If your profession is regulated or subject to recognition of your qualifications in New Zealand, the websites of professional bodies often have sections devoted to workers from overseas (e.g. International registration / overseas…).

What about certifications?

Sometimes a “certification” is required to work in certain fields. However, certification is not always compulsory and there is often a charge for it. Before making a financial commitment, find out from potential employers whether they are prepared to employ you without this type of certification. Here too, the CareersNZ website explains what is compulsory and what is optional.