9 Major Jobs In New Zealand For South African Citizens (2023)

New Zealand’s culture has risen to become one of the world’s most powerful forces. You can do things you’d never be able to do anywhere else in the world while living and working in New Zealand. Outside of your job, one of the best things about living and working in New Zealand is the culture.

According to New Zealand’s recently released long-term skill shortage list, regional skill shortage list, and construction and infrastructure skill-shortage list, there are thousands of jobs available for foreigners, and below are some of the ones South Africans can apply for.

Which jobs are in demand in New Zealand for South Africans?

1. Construction

Construction jobs are at the top of the list of high-demand jobs in New Zealand. Do you have construction-related skills, such as physical strength, building knowledge, a strong sense of hand-eye coordination, and experience with a variety of tools and technologies? If that’s the case, you’ll have a lot of options in this field.

2. Business Analysis

Employees with good business analysis skills can help many businesses in New Zealand. Are you good at solving problems creatively, communicating orally, and writing? How organized are you? All of these abilities, when combined with a thorough understanding of business structures and operations, can make you an invaluable member of any team.

3. Web development

Those working in the information technology industry will find plenty of opportunities throughout New Zealand. Web development is the most in-demand skill for many of these positions. You’ll have an easy time finding your way onto a development or programming team if you have a thorough understanding of programming languages, are computer literate, and are extremely detail-oriented.

Do you have any prior experience with computer animation and design? If so, there are numerous jobs available, particularly in the graphic design and video editing fields. Your animation skills will assist you in obtaining a creative job that provides a lot of freedom and problem-solving opportunities.

4. Nursing

Nursing is in high demand in New Zealand, and nursing skills are in high demand as well. Do you have any nursing or patient-care experience? Are you currently studying to become a nurse? If that’s the case, your abilities will come in handy now and in the future as the demand for skilled healthcare workers grows.

5. Teaching

Teachers, like nurses, are in high demand in New Zealand. Teachers who are talented and enthusiastic deserve to teach students of all ages. You’ll have a lot of job opportunities in the teaching field if you have skills in clearly delivering information and managing a classroom.

 

6. Engineering

Engineers (of all types) are in high demand in New Zealand, and there are plenty of job openings. Problem-solving, pressure management, teamwork, detail orientation, creativity, structural analysis, and, of course, industry-specific knowledge are some of the most valuable engineering skills to have (or develop) (an aeronautics engineer will have a different knowledge base than a civil engineer, for example).

7. Marketing:

An employee with marketing skills can benefit all types of businesses in New Zealand. Traditional and digital marketing skills are in high demand throughout the United States. If you have experience in this field and are looking for work, your ability to market products, solve problems, and communicate effectively in writing and orally will be extremely valuable.

8. Plumber

Plumbers are always in high demand in New Zealand and around the world. You’ll have an easier time getting hired if you have plumbing skills (good hand/arm strength, the ability to install appliances, the ability to install pipe systems, etc.) and experience, whether you want to run your own business, work on a construction team, or anything in between.

9. Carpenter

In New Zealand, carpentry skills are also highly valued and in high demand. Do you have any experience with designing, planning, project management, or problem-solving in the context of woodworking? If so, New Zealand offers numerous opportunities in both the private and public sectors.

How can a South African get a job in New Zealand?

Networking

You can increase your career opportunities by expanding your professional network. More people may be able to recommend you for a new position if you have more professional connections. Even seeking career advice from your professional network can help you become a more qualified candidate. Make use of your connections to help you grow as a professional.

Online job posting sites

What started as a corkboard in your local library has grown into a vast network of job openings. It’s much easier to find the type of job you want now that most job postings are digital. You can search for your desired job title using keywords. Similarly, many online job boards allow you to send an employer your resume and cover letter directly.

Recruiters

Many businesses hire staffing agencies to fill open positions. Working with a recruiter or headhunter can be extremely beneficial in your job search. They connect you to jobs within your purview after you have an initial meeting with them. Keep in mind that recruiters work on commission, so before accepting a job offer, make sure you can negotiate a fair wage and benefits package.

Referrals

Employee referrals are used by some businesses to hire new employees. This is because they trust the opinions of their own employees, and it can speed up the hiring process. Although employee referrals are uncommon, it’s worth asking a trustworthy friend if their company has any openings. They may recommend you if you both believe you’d be a good fit for a position at their company. Employees who make good referrals often receive a nice finder’s fee in addition to helping a friend.

Job fairs

Job fairs are a great way to learn about a lot of different companies all at once. Job fairs are frequently held by colleges, universities, and businesses. They are frequently organized by industry, though some have businesses in a variety of fields. Before going to a job fair, do some research on the companies that will be there. Learn about the types of candidates they seek and the positions they have available. Bring a stack of resumes and business cards to distribute. Every recruiter you speak with will conduct a mini-interview with you. After that, send an email to follow up.

Websites of businesses

Some businesses prefer to keep their job openings on their website. It’s worthwhile to conduct an internet search for companies in your industry and visit their websites. Learn who they are, what they do, and who their clients are before filling out your application. Knowing all of this information demonstrates that you are serious about working for them.

Newspapers

Previously, the majority of job openings were advertised in the local newspaper. Although less common, many jobs can still be found in the newspaper’s job opening section. Look through the local newspapers for different opportunities. Many of these publications are also available online.

Can South African citizens work in New Zealand?

Yes. A South African can work in New Zealand. However, you’ll need a work visa to be eligible for employment.

In New Zealand, there are over 80 different visas that allow you to work. You must ensure that you meet the required criteria and submit the proper application for the visa you are seeking.

The following are the most common types of working visas for foreign workers:

Temporary Visa

These permit you to work and live in New Zealand for a set amount of time.

Work visas

You can apply for this type of visa if you have a job offer in one of the occupations on the skill shortage list. The length of your stay in New Zealand and the terms of your visa is determined by the duration of your job offer, your salary, and the labor market conditions. There is usually no age restriction on these visas.

Holiday Visa

Young people (usually between the ages of 18 and 30) can apply for working holiday visas, which allow them to travel and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months (or 23 months if they are from the United Kingdom or Canada), but they must come to New Zealand primarily for vacation rather than work.

Resident Visas

These visas usually allow you to stay in New Zealand indefinitely and work. To determine whether you are eligible for the Skilled Migrant Category, several factors are considered, including your age, work experience, qualifications, and an offer of skilled employment. Alternatively, you can apply to ‘upgrade’ from a temporary work visa to a residence visa after holding a temporary work visa for at least 24 months under the Work to Residence Category. These visas are only available to people under the age of 55.

How long does it take for a visa application to be processed?

Work visas are typically processed in 20 to 25 days, but this can vary depending on the type of application.

Related:

• Top 19 Jobs In South Africa For Foreigners
• 16 High In Demand Jobs in UK for South African Citizens

Conclusion

There are numerous reasons to consider New Zealand as a place to live and work with your family. According to a survey conducted by HSBC, it is ranked third in the world for ‘work-life balance’ and first for ‘quality of life.’ According to worldpopulationreview.com, New Zealand is also the second safest country in the world. NZ was ranked second safest out of 163 countries. Auckland, one of New Zealand’s most popular cities, is one of the top ten best places to live in the world.