Working in New Zealand

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Combine the benefits of living in this beautiful country with low unemployment and fast-track business promotions and you have an unmissable opportunity

New Zealand's stunning landscapes, unique wildlife and abundant outdoor activities make it a very attractive destination for migrants. Luckily, these plus points are matched by a buoyant job market where demand for skilled professionals is very high.

While skills shortages exist across the board for professionals, there are particular hotspots of demand. Every quarter, Hays produces the Hays Quarterly Forecast, which details the state of the current recruitment market across New Zealand. The first forecast for 2007 reveals that the following skills are in particular demand:

Accountancy and finance: financial accountants with commercial experience, investment and fund accountants, business and commercial analysts, tax consultants, account payable staff and payroll experts. In professional practice, demand for intermediate and senior business advisory staff and tax consultants at intermediate and senior levels is also strong.
Construction and property: the skills shortage in the South Island continues, with particular demand for registered architects, site supervisors, forepersons, site managers, senior quantity surveyors, qualified carpenters, painters and joiners. In the North Island, demand exists for senior transportation engineers and planners, design and planning candidates in local government, senior water engineers, civil and structural CAD draughters, HVAC service managers and project engineers, plus experienced technicians and architects.
Information technology: Java developers and testers are in strong demand.
Office support: legal secretaries, administrators, customer service, sales representatives and project secretaries are all required.
Resources and mining: oil and gas exploration and production, as well as power generation, remains a key area for growth and technical staff are at a premium in these areas. Also in demand are design engineers, engineering project managers, process engineers, drilling managers, reservoir engineers, geophysicist and geologists.

There are many advantages to working in New Zealand. Beyond the lifestyle, climate, cost of living, beautiful landscape, affordable property and friendly and relaxed atmosphere, this incredible country also offers fantastic career prospects to those skilled professionals who decide to emigrate to New Zealand from the UK.

Getting ahead

As a young and continually developing country with a growing economy, New Zealand business allows for fast-tracked career advancement opportunities. The low unemployment rate and intense skills shortages have led many organisations to reconsider their career development plans and to promote their staff earlier. For example, newly qualified accountants can attain a financial controller vacancy far quicker than in the UK. It's not uncommon to see accountants with only four to five years post qualified experience heading a finance function of medium to large sized New Zealand businesses.

While fast-tracked career opportunities are available, gaining your entry into the local market can be challenging without local experience. As a result, many UK candidates find it easier to enter the local job market through contract or temporary roles. A successful temporary assignment gives you local experience while also validating your skills and experience, and demonstrating to local employers your full ability and potential.

Extensive similar industry experience is also valued highly by New Zealand employers and will give you an advantage, particularly when you're applying for permanent roles.

While New Zealand employers look for similar qualities at interview as in the UK, such as good communication skills, smart presentation, and above all, someone who will fit into their existing team and business culture, you need to do your research before committing to a move.

Each country has its own legislation, laws and market trends you need to be aware of. For example, feedback from employers interviewing UK accountants arriving in New Zealand for the first time shows that many are unable to demonstrate a knowledge of local taxation and relevant laws.

The UK accounting qualifications of ACCA, CA and CIMA are well recognised in New Zealand, although UK candidates may need to resit tax and law papers to obtain the local equivalent qualification and make themselves even more marketable.

Salaries

It's advisable to seek salary advice from reliable sources before arriving in the country as many UK candidates arrive with unrealistic expectations. New Zealand salaries aren't strictly comparable to UK wages. Furthermore, while the cost of living can vary tremendously across regions, salaries remain fairly consistent across the country.

New Zealand office and working life isn't too different from the UK, with the exception that some New Zealand workplaces are more relaxed. Senior executives work under similar pressure and work equally long hours to the UK. However ,higher emphasis is placed on having a good work/life balance. Many organisations operate under a relatively flat structure, where hierarchy and titles are not as prevalent as in the UK. In addition, New Zealanders communicate in an open and direct manner, which can take some adjusting to.

Although the Kiwi culture can seem very close to the UK culture in many respects, you should also be prepared for a settling-in process as you orientate yourself. The distance from home is often a shock and UK candidates often report surprise at small things, such as colloquial Kiwi phrases that can take some getting used to.

Work visas

Of course, you need a visa to be eligible to work in New Zealand. The easiest option for those under the age of 30 is the working holiday visa, which allows UK candidates with a return ticket and sufficient funds to live and work in New Zealand for up to 23 months. The working holiday visa entitles candidates to work on contracts of up to 12 months at a time.

Short-term work permits give people the opportunity to explore New Zealand's lifestyle and employment opportunities first-hand, and secure a job offer. Candidates qualified in a highly specialised or in-demand field can apply for a work to residence permit, which will allow them to work for specific Immigration Accredited employers in New Zealand for up to 30 months. After two years, candidates may be eligible to apply for permanent residence.

The skilled migrant category targets skills and operates on a points system, where points are awarded for specific skills, qualifications, work experience and s job offer. Of course, there are many types of visa available. For further details, visit the official government website, which can be found at www.immigration.govt.nz.