Best Hospitality Jobs in New Zealand
Looking to start or further your career in New Zealand’s rebounding hospitality industry? It’s an exciting and popular career (the average hospitality salary in the country is about NZD$60,000 or about $30 per hour) full of opportunities for advancement. But there are a few things you should know before moving ahead.
Given the country’s relatively high cost of living standards, hospitality in New Zealand is an ideal career pursuit for those who wish to climb the ladder quickly and easily, provided they have –– or are willing to work hard to develop –– the skills and experience necessary.
Is Hospitality A Good Career To Pursue in New Zealand?
The hospitality industry in New Zealand offers great opportunities for those with exceptional people skills and a solid work ethic. Growth opportunities are readily available to those who apply themselves and cultivate a strong commitment to their field –– whichever that may be, as the hospitality industry is very far-reaching.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism was the largest industry and employer in New Zealand –– and while recent staff shortages have exerted pressure, hospitality across the nation has continued steady growth, making now the perfect time to start a new career.
What Experience Do I Need to Work in New Zealand's Hospitality Industry?
Experience in New Zealand’s hospitality industry is essential –– but just what kind of experience you bring to the role depends on your area of hospitality. Here are some good examples of hospitality experience to help you stand out from the rest.
For those in the business and management sector of the hospitality industry, education is not always a requirement, but good to have. In New Zealand, there are certain levels of training candidates can achieve. Certificates in fields like hospitality, food and beverage service, accommodation, catering, and hotel reception are readily available at many institutions. And there are also specialist university and college degrees that can start you in the right direction, specifically acquiring a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism & Hospitality Management.
For those in more customer-facing roles, job and training experience –– especially internships –– is the best kind of experience.
What Skills Do I Need to Work in New Zealand's Hospitality Industry?
The hospitality industry in New Zealand requires candidates to possess a unique skill set to provide customers with exceptional service. Here are some of the most in-demand of those skills.
- Communication skills
In order to listen to, understand, and deliver on every customer’s unique expectations, strong communication skills are a must-have in the hospitality industry.
- Negotiation skills
Key to solving customer disputes and organizing events while bargaining for contractor work requires equally impressive and efficient negotiation skills.
- Time management
Hospitality in New Zealand is a demanding and fast-paced industry. To be able to smoothly operate as an effective member of your team, managing your time properly is very important.
- Teamwork
In any field of the hospitality industry, efficient teamwork is needed at all levels and in many different departments, especially if you work in a hotel or a kitchen.
- Observation skills
Sometimes, the slightest mistake can completely ruin a customer’s experience. That’s why attention to detail is a key skill needed for all hospitality jobs.
Top 20 Best Hospitality Jobs in New Zealand
What does a Hotel General Manager do?
Hotel Managers are in charge of the daily operations of the venue, including hiring, training, scheduling, and monitoring staff, as well as fulfilling customer service inquiries and complaints, plus coordinating with vendors and external companies.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
| Doubletree by Hilton, Accor Hotels, Auckland Rose Park Hotel, SOFITEL |
What does a Head Chef do?
Head Chefs not only cook and prepare food, but they also oversee the entire kitchen of a restaurant or hotel. Just about every eatery that caters to crowds in the hospitality and tourism industry has a head chef, a sous chef, and a team of cooks –– their roles are typically assigned internally and can vary by the size of the establishment and how busy the kitchen gets each night.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
| Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Ryman Healthcare, Trout Café Restaurant & Bar, Café Greenfingers (Auckland) |
What does a Housekeeping Manager do?
Mostly employed in hotels and resorts –– but also on cruise ships and on airlines –– housekeeping managers oversee the cleanliness and appearance of the venue, monitor and control labor costs, and ensure cleaning supplies are in-stock.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
| Accor Hotels, Mövenpick Wellington, HIND Management, Wyndham Destinations |
What does a Wedding Planner do?
Tasked with overseeing many different aspects of a wedding and reception, Wedding Planners know all the ins and outs of the industry. They can help brides-to-be source a venue, create seating charts, and couriers wardrobe to and from locations –– the sky’s the limit.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
| University of Auckland, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Deloitte, City of Napier |
What does a Tour Guide do?
New Zealand’s exquisite scenery and lush mountainous regions are ideal for touring. And that’s where a tour guide comes in handy. An efficient tour guide will put together itineraries and provide private or public tours of areas of a country or destination, including museums, historical sites, and other points of interest. Tour guides are a beacon of specialized information and provide answers so that guests can have the best time possible while on vacation.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
| INTRO Travel, NZ Sugar Company, G Adventures, Adventure South |
What does a Public Relations Director do?
Those who work in public relations within the hospitality industry will typically lead teams that handle client groups and determine the most effective forms of communication for minimizing conflicts, managing crises, and promoting goods, services, people, and brands
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
| Mango Communications, Warner Media, Publicis Groupe, Tourism New Zealand |
What does a Cruise Ship Director do?
Many cruise ships are traveling throughout Oceania, taking in the natural waterscapes and islands. And that includes ships arriving and disembarking in New Zealand. A Cruise Ship Director executes hospitality on the open seas –– from ensuring the efficiency of day-to-day cruise staff operations to disembarkation safety procedures.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
| TED – The Experience Department, Carnival Cruises, Silversea Cruises |
What does a Hospitality Manager do?
Hotels and restaurants in New Zealand thrive on tourism and the need for qualified Hospitality Managers, who run the day-to-day operations of businesses like hotels, restaurants, resorts, and cruise ships is always in demand.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
| Hospo HR, Adal Immigrations, SteelPoint Hotel, Heritage Hotel Management |
What does a Barista do?
Baristas are crucial hospitality players in that they are responsible for the quick and efficient preparation of coffee and caffeinated beverages that keep the citizens of New Zealand operating at their highest energy level possible. Not only do they work in extremely fast-paced environments, but they also clean, open, and close cash registers and order products.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
| Z Energy, Wolf Hospitality, Starbucks, McDonald’s New Zealand, Spotless Group |
What does a Resort Attendant do?
Resort Attendants typically have a packed day of administrative and custodial duties when working in a hotel resort or on a cruise ship. Ensuring safe passageways, stocking towels, cleaning pool and spa areas, and running food and drinks from the restaurant to the guest lounging area are all expectations of these pivotal hospitality roles.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
| Hilton Hotels & Resorts, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Millennium Hotels & Resorts |
What does a Food & Beverage Director do?
These roles are vital to the upkeep and efficient operation of businesses like hotels, bars, restaurants, and cruise ships. Directors oversee various teams across multiple departments and are the go-to for approvals that affect entire businesses.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
| Distinction Hotels Group, The Sebel, Accor Hotels, Trust House Limited |
What does a Spa Manager do?
The manager of a hotel or resort spa helps guests to luxuriate and relax throughout their stay. Prominent business people, these roles can also involve scheduling appointments, maintaining inventory, and hiring and training staff.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
| Kimi Ora Eco Resort, Pullman Hotels, Accor Hotels, Relais & Chateau, Tekapo Springs |
What does a Sommelier do?
Sommeliers are popular positions in hotels or fine dining restaurants because of their proficiency and expert knowledge of wines. They are expected to suggest wine and food pairings, help chefs create up-to-date wine listings, and promote their business at wine-based events.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
| United Cellars, Princess Cruises, Hilton Hotels & Resorts |
What does a Restaurant Server do?
Food service is one of the most popular positions in the hospitality industry. Most serving jobs don’t require experience and, if it’s a reputable place, they will provide you with foundational training. Plus, you often get to enjoy a free meal on your shift. These jobs are typically fast-paced, but the communication skills (and tips) you’ll develop make it a worthwhile option.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
| Mudbrick Vineyard, Culprit, SkyCity Entertainment Group, TGI Fridays, |
What does a Restaurant General Manager do?
The general manager of a restaurant oversees running the daily operations, but also elements of bookkeeping, scheduling, and knowledge of cuisine.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
| SPIGA, McDonald’s New Zealand, Salt on the Pier, Mad Mex New Zealand |
What does a Sous Chef do?
A Sous Chef –– taken from the French: “under–chief” –– provides support for a Head Chef in the kitchen of a restaurant or hotel. They typically take on much of the responsibilities of running the kitchen, including preparing, cooking, and plating food.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
| The Sebel, Accor Hotels, Atlas Chefs, Ltd., Compass Group New Zealand, Novotel Hotel |
What does an Event Planner do?
Depending on the occasion, Event Planners are typically involved in every aspect of the planning, execution, and post-clean-up stage of the event. They also book clients while solving on-the-fly issues that may arise, not to mention helping to clean up once the event is done.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
| University of Auckland, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Fever, Swimming New Zealand, Mitre 10 |
What does a Front Office Manager do?
Front Office Managers, like the ones found at hotels and restaurants, aren’t as involved as directors or senior management but fulfill just as important a role. Day-to-day duties typically include staffing, managing guest accounts, and coordinating hotel sales among other things.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
| Heritage Hotels, Millennium Hotels & Resorts, SOFITEL, Accor Hotels |
What does a Bartender do?
One of the most popular jobs for young people looking to get their foot in the door of New Zealand’s hospitality sector, bartenders fulfill an essential role in restaurants and bars. If you are of legal age and know how to craft cocktails and sling suds then this is an exciting venture wherein you will likely meet all kinds of interesting people.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
| M Gallery, SkyCity Entertainment Group, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, The Gables, TGI Fridays |
What does a Marketing Director do?
A Marketing Director working in the hospitality sector is typically responsible for using industry research and market trends to forecast growth opportunities while examining ways of increasing revenue for their hotel, restaurant, or leisure resort.
SKILLS REQUIRED | EXPECTED SALARY | COMPANIES HIRING |
| University of Auckland, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Ogilvy New Zealand, Accor Hotels |
Find the Best Hospitality Jobs in New Zealand Now
There you have it! The best hospitality jobs –– and the skills and experience required to get them –– in New Zealand for 2025.
Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash
