NZ FAQs: Employment

Learn all you need to know about being an employee in New Zealand.

Annual National Holidays

Each year New Zealand has 10 national holidays:

New Year’s Day (1 January)
Day after New Year’s Day (2 January)
Waitangi Day (6 February)
Good Friday (varies)
Easter Monday (varies)
ANZAC Day (25 April)
King’s Birthday (first Monday in June)
Labour Day (fourth Monday in October)
Christmas (25 December)
Boxing Day (26 December)

There is also an annual anniversary day observed – the date being dependent on where you live in New Zealand.

Income Tax

All employees are expected to pay income tax and how much you pay depends on your salary. Rates vary from 10.5 per cent of every dollar for someone earning up to $14,000 to 39 per cent of every dollar for those earning $180,000 and over. You will need to set up an Inland Revenue Department (IRD) number to pay your income tax. You can only apply for an IRD number once you are in New Zealand.

Kiwisaver

KiwiSaver is a government initiative to encourage people to save for their retirement.
You can choose to contribute 3%, 4%, 8% or 10% of your annual salary to KiwiSaver (deductions made from your salary each pay day.

In addition your employer will contribute 3% of your annual salary. You are eligible to get your money paid out when you are eligible to receive a pension (age 65).

You may be eligible for an early pay out if you are buying your first home, relocating overseas permanently, and suffering significant financial hardship or are seriously ill.

Leave

All employees are entitled to 4 weeks paid holiday leave (20 days) and 5 days paid sick leave per year after 12 months of continuous employment. Five paid days of sick leave per year is available to employees so they can care for themselves or their dependants. You may also be entitled to bereavement and maternity/paternity leave. See Employment New Zealand for more information.

Remuneration

Below shows different industries and the ranges of salaries you can expect:

   
        JOB SECTOR
        ANNUAL SALARY RANGE
        
    Administration
    $53K - $68K
    
    Agriculture, fishing & forestry
    $57K - $78K
    
Marketing, media & communications
    $75K - $92K
    
    IT
    $109K - $121K
    
    Accounting
    $77K - $90K
    
    Education
    $55K - $85K
    
    Healthcare
    $62K - $83K
    
    Caregiving
    $46K - $68K
    
    Building & carpentry
    $66K - $89K
    
    Nursing & midwifery
    $77K - $100K
    
    Mechanical
    $72K - $94K
    
    Drivers & couriers
    $56K - $76K
    
    Office & administration
    $55K - $70K

*Salary figures correct as of Dec 31, 2023 on www.trademe.co.nz/jobs/salary-guide

Most employees are expected to work 40 hours per week. New Zealand has a strong work / life balance and very few people work weekends.

Lydia WalkerFebruary 28, 2024