With more sheep than people, and more pine trees than sheep, expats working in New Zealand can certainly count on employment opportunities in the agricultural sector. Other industries that are actively seeking expat labour include IT, creative arts, new media, law, medicine, nursing and engineering. Occasionally, the government decides that there is a deficiency of qualified personal in a specific job field, and they will actively recruit expats in that field. It is best to check their website for the most up-to-date information on the relevant industries requiring skilled workers.

New Zealanders are great entrepreneurs, and there are many small businesses. In fact, 85 percent of the country’s businesses hire fewer than 5 people, comprising 25 percent of the total labour force. This bodes well for expats wishing to relocate to New Zealand to start up a business or company, as the government is open to entrepreneurs with a focus on job creation.

The country’s immigration department publishes the Essential Skills in Demand List, which outlines the job fields and skills sets that the government needs to fill. This list is a good guide for those wishing to seek work in New Zealand, as it can help to streamline work permit applications. Obtaining or qualifying for a job on this list allows employers to bypass a lot of the immigration department’s red tape, such as having to prove that there are no New Zealanders able to take the position that you are applying for. The Essential Skills in Demand List is reviewed and updated every six months.

Visa and Work Permits for New Zealand

Work permits for New Zealand are generally granted on the basis of a score system, with high points allocated for educational level, age, resident family members, and specialist or high-demand skills. The easiest route to a work visa is to fall into the Skilled Migrant category or Talent category, or to have a confirmed job offer from a business based in New Zealand. Visas are also granted in the category of Entrepreneur – for those with a business concept and funds to back it up – and Active Investment.

In order to be granted a work permit for New Zealand there are a number of steps that need to be followed:

• The employer must obtain Approval in Principle from the New Zealand Immigration Service in order to employ foreign workers - this involves establishing that there are no New Zealand citizens qualified or able to fill the position. Consular personnel, Japanese interpreters, medical and dental personnel and senior executive staff of multinational companies are exempt from needing to obtain an Approval in Principle.

• Once all the necessary paperwork is done on the employer’s side, the employee will need to submit several documents to the New Zealand embassy in their home country in order to apply for a Work Visa. These include your passport, a general health-check, and a detailed written offer of employment. The letter of employment should describe the job title, duties, length of employment, salary, qualifications and experience needed.

• A work visa is only an endorsement in your passport, which allows you to travel to New Zealand and legally enter the country; it is not the final permit that allows you to work in New Zealand. Upon arrival in New Zealand, expats must apply for a work permit. Work permits are vital for legal employment. They tend to be job-specific, which can make it difficult, but not impossible, to change jobs once you are in New Zealand. Permits are valid for up to three years, at which point a further work permit can be applied for.

Expats are advised to have a passport valid for three months beyond the date that you intend to leave New Zealand. If you are travelling with a spouse, they may be eligible to work in the country once the primary visa has been granted, but they will need to apply for a separate work permit.