How to find a job in New Zealand
Find out where to look for work, what your visa options are, and how to check your qualifications and see if you need occupational registration.
Making a start
As a first step to finding a job, check out where your skills will fit best — and which employers are looking for people like you.
Finding a job from overseas
Most people in New Zealand look for jobs on employment websites or by contacting recruitment companies. They also contact employers directly.
There are lots of job websites in New Zealand. Many of them post jobs from employers expecting applications from people already in New Zealand. Some specialise in connecting with people overseas.
General job websites
You can find a list of employment websites, and tips on how to find work, at careers.govt.nz.
You can also find a list of employment websites, and tips on how to find work and write a CV, at careers.govt.nz.
Job vacancy and recruitment websites — careers.govt.nz
Sector-specific websites
Some job sectors and professions have dedicated job websites, including:
Healthcare jobs — Kiwi Health Jobs
Education jobs — Education Gazette
Careers — Careers at Science New Zealand
Engineering jobs — Engineering New Zealand
Fruit and vegetable seasonal work — Work and Income
You can also search online for specific jobs.
Recruitment companies
New Zealand employers often use recruitment companies or agencies to find suitable employees, particularly for specialist and high-level jobs. You can register with more than one recruitment company.
You do not need to pay the company or agency as they get paid by the employer when they place someone in a job.
You can find a list of recruitment agents on the careers.govt.nz website.
Job vacancy and recruitment websites — careers.govt.nz
Contacting employers directly
In New Zealand, approaching employers directly is an accepted and often successful approach.
The best approach is to check an organisation's website. You can find their contact details, as well as information about any jobs they may not be advertising anywhere else yet.
You can also contact professional bodies and employer organisations directly.
Find out more about our main industries
Many jobs are likely to be in New Zealand’s main industries:
- agriculture and forestry
- construction
- health care
- education and teaching
- engineering
- business and finance
- science
- energy
- health technology.
Main job sectors in New Zealand
There are opportunities for both highly skilled occupations and less skilled workers.
The New Zealand government provides a quarterly update of labour market statistics, and an overview of the current state of the labour market. It has also published a medium to long-term projection for employment, up to 2028.
Medium to long-term employment outlook: Looking ahead to 2028 — MBIE
Your visa options
You may be able to work in New Zealand on a number of different visas. Work visas allow you to stay temporarily, but some can lead to permanent residence. Resident visas allow you to live and work here indefinitely.
When you apply for a visa, you may need to have a job offer, or the visa may only allow you to work in certain jobs. For some types of work visa, the employer may need to demonstrate that they are unable to fill the post with a local person.
Find out more about visas that allow you to work in New Zealand.
Visas for working in New Zealand
Jobs on the Green List
Immigration New Zealand's 'Green List' identifies professional skills that are currently in demand in New Zealand.
If your role is listed, and you have the qualifications, registration or experience required, you may be able to apply for a residence visa immediately, or after 2 years of working here.
Check what roles are on the list for your occupation.
Green List roles — jobs we need people for in New Zealand
If your job is not on the list, there may be other work and visa options for you. For example, if you have a job offer and the prospective employer can demonstrate they are unable to find a New Zealander to do the job, you may be able to apply for a work visa.
Alternatively, you may be able to apply for a resident visa if you meet the criteria for our Skilled Migrant Category.
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
Registering for an occupation
Depending on your job, you may be required to register with the relevant professional body to get a job and a visa. In any case, you may find getting a visa easier if you have professional registration in New Zealand.
Use our online tool to check if you need to be registered, and who you will need to contact.
Check if you need occupational registration for your job
Checking your qualifications
If you are using a qualification gained overseas to support a visa application, you may need to have it assessed against comparable New Zealand qualifications.
Check if you need an international qualification assessment
Support in the workplace
Starting a new job in a new country can be challenging, but help is available to new arrivals. Find out how to get support in the workplace, and from unions and government agencies.
Get personalised information and advice
Register to receive emails from Immigration New Zealand and we will send you relevant job opportunities from New Zealand employers, and practical advice on how to choose the right visa and plan your move.