In a Survey of Working Life in New Zealand, 85 percent of the respondents noted that they were “either ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ in their main job,” and only 8 percent were “’dissatisfied or ‘very dissatisfied’ with their work-life balance.” With percentages like these, choosing to move to New Zealand to work is quite appealing. With job satisfaction rates at a high, as well as positive working conditions, many expats are choosing to find work in New Zealand. Whether you are looking to take some time off to travel or want to relocate permanently, New Zealand is a great place to find work.
A Typical Work Week in New Zealand
A typical work week in New Zealand consists of 40 hours with a half-hour lunch break each day. Usually, workers come in around 8:30 am and leave around 5 pm. Since the Employment Contracts Act came into place however, employers and employees have been able to determine their hours more freely, although most employees still keep their work weeks to around 38 to 40 hours. On average, employees expect Saturdays and Sundays as holidays, but this is not always the case. Overtime is generally paid at a ‘time and a half’ rate, but many employers in New Zealand don’t allow or discourage overtime.
Salaries and Wages
When looking for a job, it is generally easy to figure out what kind of salary you can expect from a potential employer in New Zealand. Many employers offer their salary ranges directly on the job advertisements. So, while there are usually negotiations to be made, you at least know what you are getting yourself into when you apply for a particular job.
The national minimum wage in New Zealand is $16.50. Employers in the financial and insurance industries can usually expect to make more than their peers and major cities such as Wellington and Auckland tend to have higher paying jobs. If you are looking to compare executive salaries to those in Western countries such as Germany, France, the UK, or the US, you will find that salaries in New Zealand are generally lower. With that being said, the cost of living and tax rates are generally lower, which might make up for the lower salaries.
Seasonal and Gap Year Jobs
While some choose to move to New Zealand permanently, others decide to come to the country to explore unseen areas or spend a year gaining job experience before University. For those looking to go down this route, New Zealand offers a great deal of jobs for gap year students and seasonal workers. For example, if you are looking for seasonal work, try the agricultural sector. You will find that many farmers are looking for help. On another note, restaurants, hostels and tourist agencies might have temporary vacancies for travellers.
Whether you are looking for a permanent change or just looking to expand your horizons, New Zealand is a great place to find employment. The working conditions, job satisfaction rates and types of employment available make working in New Zealand very appealing. Ferguson Migration & Education provide advice and assistance with all aspects of your work visa to New Zealand.
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