Jobs for Foreigners New Zealand - 20 Best Jobs for Foreigners

The latest data shows that New Zealand welcomes roughly 45,000 immigrants per year. People come from all over the world to live and work in New Zealand, but the top 3 most common places from which they travel are China, India, and the Philippines.

These days, it’s not uncommon for people to relocate to a new country to find work. New Zealand is a particularly attractive destination for a lot of people who want to live in a new country, with its beautiful landscape, diverse population, and its low cost of living (at least compared to other western countries).

In addition to an increase in people immigrating from other countries to live and work in New Zealand, there’s also been an uptick in the last few years of businesses looking to hire foreign employees. Diversifying a company’s workforce provides a lot of great benefits, including gaining access to more unique perspectives and creative approaches to solving problems.

Are you thinking about relocating to New Zealand? Are you concerned about how you’ll find New Zealand jobs for ex-pats? If so, keep reading.

In this guide, you’ll learn all about the best jobs for foreigners in New Zealand. Whether you want to work full-time on-site or work from home, there are tons of options for you to choose from, and we’re breaking them all down for you.

What Types of Jobs Are in Demand for Foreign Workers in New Zealand?

Currently, there’s a wide range of opportunities for those looking for work in New Zealand for foreigners. Skill shortages are affecting businesses throughout the country in a variety of industries, including healthcare, information technology, and manufacturing.

The list below breaks down the top 10 types of jobs that are in high demand right now, complete with information about the skills required for reach job and the companies that are hiring.

1. Arts and Media

The arts and media industry encapsulates all kinds of creative jobs. This includes jobs in the marketing sector, as well as artistic and design-focused positions.

Skills Required	Companies Hiring
Graphic design Animation Photography Videography Writing Marketing	Auckland Transport — Lead Creative Writer Presto Resourcing Options – Creative Experience Designer IHG Hotels & Resorts — Marketing Executive

2. Hospitality and Tourism

The tourism industry is starting to recover from the effects of COVID-19. As a result, there’s a growing demand for professionals with hospitality and tourism experiences.

Skills Required	Companies Hiring
Attention to detail Patience Customer service Multitasking Empathy Problem-solving Flexibility Organization Written and verbal communication	Skycity — Function F&B Attendant Stamford Hotels & Resorts — Marketing & Communications Executive Ngarua Caves — Operations/Tour Manager

3. Engineering

From chemical engineers to civil engineers, there’s high demand throughout New Zealand for engineering experts who can help companies develop and create new products and carry out various projects.

Skills Required	Companies Hiring
Industry-specific technical knowledge Written and verbal communication Leadership Critical thinking Creative problem-solving Innovation	Goodman Fielder — Engineering Manager Tyler Wren — Engineering Manager Accedo — Engineering Lead

4. Construction and Infrastructure

With New Zealand’s growing infrastructure needs, there is a strong demand for professionals with construction and civil engineering experience or knowledge.

Skills Required	Companies Hiring
Physical strength and stamina Dexterity and coordination Reading and math skills Communication skills Vision and depth perception Attention to detail	Steelspan Ltd — Steed Shed Construction Mahi for the Future Recruitment — Skilled Construction Labourer Proffitt Construction — Hammerhand or Builder

5. Healthcare

The healthcare industry is also facing significant demand for new and skilled workers. Even as COVID-19 cases wane, there’s still a strong need for healthcare workers who can care for patients.

Skills Required	Companies Hiring
Patience Written and verbal communication Attention to detail Physical strength and stamina Flexibility Time management	Beetham Healthcare Ltd — Registered Nurse Physio Movement — Physiotherapist Oxford Community Health centre — General Practitioner

6. Community Care

Community care professionals include psychologists and social workers. They provide support to New Zealanders and help them access the resources they need to improve their quality of life.

Skills Required	Companies Hiring
Written and verbal communication Teaching Service coordination Advocacy Attention to detail Active listening	Drake Medox — Medical Administrator Healthcare of New Zealand — Psychologist Massey University — Clinical Psychologist

7. Education

Teachers and education administrators are in high demand throughout New Zealand. From early childhood educators to secondary educators, New Zealand’s students need skilled professionals to instruct and guide them.

Skills Required	Companies Hiring
Written and verbal communication Active listening Flexibility Patience Empathy	Algorithmics — Kids IT Teacher Department of Corrections — Education Tutor Agi Education — Healthcare Tutor

8. Information Technology

Throughout the world — including in New Zealand, there’s a strong need for information technology (or IT) professionals. From developers to tech support specialists, there are lots of positions available.

Skills Required	Companies Hiring
Strong technical knowledge (knowledge of code, computer engineering, software engineering, etc.) Ability to work independently Flexibility Written and verbal communication Attention to detail	Tairawhiti District Health Board — Business Analyst Sugandi Consulting — Enterprise Solution Architect Synlait — Integration Developer

9. Manufacturing

In the same way that the engineering and construction industries are booming in New Zealand, so is the manufacturing industry. There are lots of opportunities for manufacturing professionals, both those with years of experience and those who are new to the field.

Skills Required	Companies Hiring
Attention to detail Critical thinking Written and verbal communication Dependability Flexibility	Tegel Foods — Feedmill Operator New Zealand Starch — Shift Production Operator Albany ITM — Factory Worker

10. Finance

All kinds of businesses in New Zealand, as well as individual residents, need help from finance professionals. From accountants to advisors, there are tons of job options available here.

Skills Required	Companies Hiring
Interpersonal skills Written and verbal communication Attention to detail Problem-sovling skills	The Guest Home — Accountant Young + Richards — Accounts and Administration Assistant Lion Pty Ltd — Finance Manager

Visa Requirements for Working as a Foreigner in New Zealand

If you want to find New Zealand jobs for expats, you first need to understand the country’s visa requirements. The 3 most common visas for foreign workers in New Zealand are work visas, working holidays visas, and resident visas (which let you live and work here indefinitely).

The New Zealand immigration office features a handy tool that helps you choose the right visa for your needs.

Top 10 Best Full-Time Jobs for Foreigners in New Zealand

If you want to work full-time in New Zealand, you have plenty of options to choose from. This is true even if you’re searching for jobs in New Zealand for foreigners without experience or unskilled jobs in New Zealand for foreigners. Here are 10 of the best options to consider:

1. IT Manager

IT managers plan, direct, and supervise activities related to a company’s computer and information systems. They also coordinate jobs related to maintaining and improving the company’s hardware, software, and IT network. – $140,898 per year

Browse IT Manager jobs in New Zealand on GrabJobs

2. Construction Manager

Construction managers are responsible for planning, coordinating, budgeting, and supervising construction projects. They oversee all aspects of the project from start to finish. – $102,000 per year

Browse Construction Manager jobs in New Zealand on GrabJobs

3. Marketing Manager

Marketing managers work in a variety of industries and help to build awareness of a specific business. They develop and execute marketing strategies to meet specific consumer needs and maximize the company’s profits. – $110,000 per year

Browse Marketing Manager jobs in New Zealand on GrabJobs

4. Ophthalmologists

Ophthalmologists are medical professionals who specialize in diagnosing, treating, and preventing eye problems. – $351,042 per year

Browse Ophthalmologist jobs in New Zealand on GrabJobs

5. Registered Nurse

Registered nurses work in a variety of settings, from hospitals and clinics to schools and nursing homes. They provide and coordinate patient care while also educating patients on various health conditions. – $66,300 per year

Browse Registered Nurse jobs in New Zealand on GrabJobs

6. Financial Advisor

A financial advisor works with clients to create strategies that eliminate financial risk, help them build wealth, and help them achieve their financial goals. – $84,685 per year

Browse Financial Advisor jobs in New Zealand on GrabJobs

7. Marketing Communications Specialist

A marketing communications specialist is responsible for developing and nurturing relationships between organizations, media professionals, and the public. – $91,875 per year

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8. Procurement Manager

A procurement manager sources products and services for a specific company. They create buying strategies and factor in things like company budget and supply needs, then find the ideal vendor to meet those needs. – $114,605 per year

Browse Procurement Manager jobs in New Zealand on GrabJobs

9. Psychologist/Counsellor

Psychologists are mental health experts. They work with clients to overcome mental health challenges and improve their quality of life. – $92,500 per year

Browse Psychologist/Counsellor jobs in New Zealand on GrabJobs

10. Teacher

Teachers create lesson plans and share information with students of all ages. They must work with each student individually while also leading group discussions and helping them get the most out of their classes. – $49,200 per year

Browse Teacher jobs in New Zealand on GrabJobs

Top 10 Best Remote Jobs for Foreigners in New Zealand

There are also plenty of remote jobs available — including remote unskilled jobs in New Zealand for foreigners. Here are 10 work-from-home jobs to consider:

1. Data Entry Clerk

Data entry clerks take information from one source and input it into a centralized database. They are administrative professionals who work for all kinds of businesses. – $61,913 per year

Browse Data Entry Clerk jobs in New Zealand on GrabJobs

2. Account Executive

Account executives are sales professionals. They oversee specific customer accounts and answer questions and solve problems to ensure the business maintains a good relationship with that customer. – $48,750 per year

Browse Account Executive jobs in New Zealand on GrabJobs

3. Content Writer

Content writers write blog posts, ad copy, email copy, social media copy, and other types of copy to help businesses promote their products or services. – $75,000 per year

Browse Content Writer jobs in New Zealand on GrabJobs

4. Marketing Specialist

Marketing specialists work under marketing managers to create and carry out specific campaigns. They handle a variety of tasks to ensure the company presents a positive image to the public. – $78,000 per year

Browse Marketing Specialist jobs in New Zealand on GrabJobs

5. Customer Service Representative

Customer service representatives communicate with customers in a variety of ways (answering phone calls, responding to emails, responding to chat messages, etc.). They help to build positive relationships with customers to ensure they stay loyal. – $50,741 per year

Browse Customer Service Representative jobs in New Zealand on GrabJobs

6. Social Media Specialist

Social media specialists create content, respond to comments, and manage social media advertising campaigns. – $48,750 per year

Browse Social Media Specialist jobs in New Zealand on GrabJobs

7. Travel Agent

Travel agents help clients plan vacations. They may work with people who are traveling to New Zealand or New Zealand residents looking to go to other places. – $62,300 per year

Browse Travel Agent jobs in New Zealand on GrabJobs

8. English Tutor

English tutors work with students and help them to improve their English skills. – $46,808 per year

Browse English Tutor jobs in New Zealand on GrabJobs

9. Administrative Assistant

Administrative assistants help professionals stay organized. They handle scheduling, responding to phone calls and emails, organizing files, and more. – $49,400 per year

Browse Administrative Assistant jobs in New Zealand on GrabJobs

10. Onboarding Manager

Onboarding managers work with employees (remote or in-person) to help them get acclimated to new jobs. They oversee training, answer questions, assign mentors, and more. – $63,518 per year

Browse Onboarding Specialist jobs in New Zealand on GrabJobs

Find the Best Jobs for Foreigners in New Zealand Today

It doesn’t matter if you want to work full-time in an office or full-time from home. There are tons of jobs for foreigners in New Zealand.

Now that you know more about the top jobs in New Zealand for foreigners without experience, as well as how to find work in New Zealand for foreigners who want to work remotely, it’s time to start your job search.

Check out GrabJobs today to simplify the search and find the perfect job in New Zealand in no time.

Photo by Partha Narasimhan on Unsplash