Easy Work Opportunities In New Zealand for Foreign Applicants
Do you fantasize about AMAZING scenery, hospitable people and the best work life balance in the world? New Zealand perhaps is calling your name. However, the biggest challenge is navigating through the job market to many. The questions that may come to your mind are, What are the most easy jobs to get in New Zealand as a foreigner?
You’re in the right place. The best part is that Aotearoa is in dire need of labour in a number of major industries most of which do not take years of experience. This guide will take you through the easiest work opportunities in NZ as a foreigner, clarify the most important visa options, and provide you with the steps to take that will help you secure the first New Zealand job.
The Key to Working in NZ: Your Visa Entry
You require the right to work before you begin hunting a job. In the case of beginner-level positions, you have two primary visas in:
- Working Holiday Visa: This is the most accessible type of visa of young people (mostly 18-30 or 18-35) of the qualified countries. It will enable you to work and stay in New Zealand up to 12 months (or 23 in some cases) and hence ideal to locate seasonable and temporary employment.
- Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV): It is the primary work visa in New Zealand. The first requirement to obtain it is a job offer with a certified employer who has demonstrated that they are unable to locate a competent New Zealander to occupy the position. Numerous jobs in the skill-intensive fields such as aged care and construction will result in an AEWV.

easiest job opportunities to foreign candidates
The industries are recognized to employ foreign workers and in most cases they are a great source of entry in the NZ workforce.
Agriculture & Horticulture
The famous agriculture industry of New Zealand is in need of assisting hands all the time. It is the epitome of the backpacker employment in NZ.
- Types of work found: Kiwifruits picker, farmhand, Apple harvester, vineyard worker.
- Why it is Great: It is the definition of no experience jobs in New Zealand. You get paid to go on the road in beautiful sites and it is an amazing experience to interact with other travellers. One of the attractions is the season of picking kiwifruits.
- Location Focus: Bay of Plenty kiwifruit, Marlboro vineyard jobs, and Hawkes Bay apples.
- Salary: You will earn a minimum of the minimum wage (currently, $23.15 NZD per hour), and most positions are higher paid or include a piece rate (paid per bin picked).
Hospitality
The hospitality sector is an ongoing recruitment process, starting in the busy cafes of Wellington to the busy bars of Queenstown.
- Typical positions: Barista, waiter/waitress, kitchen helper, front of house personnel.
- Why it is Great: These positions are numerous and are flexible in terms of hours. You will have useful skills in customer service and can be immediately hired in some cases.
- Location Focus: Queenstown, Auckland and Wellington that are tourist hotspots.
- Mean Remuneration: $23.15 -28 NZD/h plus tips in certain restaurants.
Construction & Trades
Building boom is being witnessed in such cities as Christchurch and Auckland, which demands an enormous amount of labourers.
- Typical Occupations: Construction worker, builder helper, construction clean-up team.
- Why it is great: It is one of the well-paid unskilled jobs in New Zealand. It will require a one-day safety course (SiteSafe card) though no previous experience is required when starting in the entry-level positions.
- Location Focus: Christchurch, Auckland, and other big cities.
- Average Pay: $25 – $35 NZD per hour.
Aged Care
A severe skills shortage is being experienced in the healthcare industry and especially aged care which has created a good prospect of visa sponsorship employment in NZ.
- Professional Titles: Aged care support worker, health care assistant.
- Why it is Great: This is a good, stable, rewarding career and has a definite road to residency to qualified candidates. There are numerous employers who are accredited and are interested in recruiting foreign applicants.
- Location Focus: Nationwide, both cities and towns in the regions.
- Average Pay: $28 – $34 NZD per hour.
Tourism
New Zealand is the adventure capital of the world and the tourism industry in this country has exciting roles particularly in the South Island.
- Typical jobs include: Tour guide assistant, ski-field operator, hotel concierge and rental vehicle groomer.
- Why it is great: You have an opportunity to work in some of the most beautiful locations on the planet. These are the right kinds of jobs that the energetic outdoor lovers would love.
- Location Focus: Queenstown, Wanaka, Fiordland, and Rotorua.
- Mean Salary: Depends on the position with a minimum wage being the starting point.
General Labour
There are always factories, warehouses, as well as cleaning businesses, which require stable employees. These are simple roles that one can easily play.
- Ordinary job titles: Warehouse worker, factory process worker, commercial cleaner.
- Why it is Great: In most cases they have instant starts and do not demand good knowledge of English. Night shifts or flexible hours have many positions.
- Location Focus: The industrial districts of the large cities such as Auckland and Wellington.
- Average Pay: $23.15 – $29 NZD per hour.
FAQs
Do I need experience to work in New Zealand?
Not for many jobs! The best industries to take on people who lack experience are industries such as agriculture (fruit picking), hospitality (kitchen hand), and general labour (warehouse work). Positive attitude is more crucial in many cases.
What are the least demanding jobs in New Zealand?
The most readily available jobs are the kiwifruit picking jobs during the harvest period (March-June), kitchen hand jobs at tourist resorts and hotels, and general labouring/cleaning jobs.
What are the ways of locating accredited employer jobs in NZ to foreigners?
On the job sites such as Seek, you can type a keyword such as visa sponsorship. The best way is to go to the official list of accredited employers of Immigration NZ and apply to the corresponding companies directly.
Is there any difficulty in getting employment in NZ as a foreigner?
It is hard when you are an international applicant that lacks a specialty. But when you are already physically in the country on a Working Holiday Visa or when you are aiming at the above, high demand industries, then your chances are extremely high.
When is the picking season of kiwifruits in NZ?
The prime kiwifruit harvest period is March- June. These jobs are centered on the Bay of Plenty region particularly around Te Puke.
Final Thought
A proactive and flexible foreign applicant can find easy working opportunities in New Zealand. You can jump start your Kiwi trip by visiting the appropriate industries (such as the sunny orchards of the Bay of Plenty or the cafes of Queenstown). Make sure you rightly obtain the visa, customize your CV, and go on the market. It is nearer than you imagine to your dream job in Aotearoa.
Disclaimer
This information about the job is provided only as educational and informational. Before applying, please ensure that you have verified information on the official employer or government webpage
