Looking for a fresh start in your professional life? Maybe it’s time to consider taking the leap and pursuing opportunities in New Zealand.
Renowned for its relaxed lifestyle, this charming country also boasts some of the top employers around. Delve into our list of recommended companies and explore exciting job prospects waiting just across the ocean!
Many international students aspire to work in New Zealand and it’s no surprise given the range of career opportunities available across its North and South Islands, amidst stunning landscapes.
This has made the country a highly sought-after destination for job seekers from around the world. Major corporations specializing in engineering, finance, and other fields are eager to recruit talented graduates which makes this place an ideal choice for you too.
Whether at any stage of your professional life or academic pursuit, our guide can help steer you towards potential employers that could suit your skills profile while navigating through employment options within this beautiful nation!
Xero
Xero, a company that offers accounting software to small businesses worldwide, has become one of New Zealand’s most successful establishments in recent years. Even with around 5,000 employees globally, the headquarters is still located in Wellington – their founding city and capital.
Xero’s graduate scheme comes in two streams: the technical program aimed at software and data analytics experts, and the design program for those keen on user experience. As part of the latter, you will be able to participate actively in shaping Xero’s products’ appearance and feel with a direct impact on millions of customers’ satisfaction.
The fact that Xero is ranked as the top technology employer for graduates in New Zealand by Prosple, highlights the worth of both programs. Within a year’s timeframe, you will gain proficiency across multiple business domains and secure a full-time employment opportunity with guaranteed placement.
Interestingly enough, possessing self-taught skills rather than formal degrees are appreciated qualifications making it easier to apply for these programmes.
Fonterra
With a total of approximately 10 million cattle, exceeding the human population in number, it may come as no shock that the leading corporation within this country is focused on dairy production. Fonterra stands out to be one of the largest global producers of milk and hence also serves as New Zealand’s top job provider which has played an essential role in ensuring its status as the world’s primary exporter for milk-related products.
Fonterra employs a diverse workforce of over 12,000 individuals across the country. Their recruitment efforts have been successful in hiring more than 1,000 people annually for the past two years. The company provides multiple career opportunities through internships, apprenticeships, and traineeships for those starting their professional journey.
Additionally, Fonterra offers three distinct graduate programs that cater to graduates from different academic backgrounds with two being specifically tailored towards STEM and Agriculture students respectively.
ANZ
With approximately 8,000 employees situated in the country, the New Zealand division of this global financial services conglomerate is recognized as the largest bank. Consequently, it has cemented its status as one of the most prominent brands in New Zealand and a highly attractive choice for recent graduates seeking employment opportunities.
While individuals with academic qualifications in finance and accounting have a competitive advantage when seeking job opportunities at ANZ, the establishment also values diversity in education.
Their graduate program welcomes applicants from various backgrounds as it seeks a variety of experiences for its institutional and digital banking pathways. Nevertheless, to be considered eligible for this program, one needs to hold citizenship or permanent residency status either in Australia or New Zealand.
Don’t worry if you are not eligible for the graduate program at ANZ. There are various other roles advertised by the company that can be applied to, irrespective of your status. If interested in a multinational organization like ANZ, an opportunity may also lie within one of its divisions initially before transitioning accordingly.
Additionally, it is possible to apply for graduate schemes offered by different banks and financial institutions such as the Bank of New Zealand or FNZ without nationality restrictions.
Air New Zealand
For New Zealand, being an island nation thousands of kilometers away from its closest neighbors makes it imperative to have strong international travel connections. The country’s geographic isolation has provided a chance for the aviation sector to flourish and succeed. As such, the government has released an aerospace strategy to advance this industry even further.
Being predominantly owned by the government makes Air New Zealand an integral part of this entity. The airline corporation boasts a workforce that comprises almost 11,500 individuals with most stationed within the country’s borders. Individually and collaboratively, these employees bear significant obligations as they transport passengers across different parts of the world—necessitating diverse skills and interests to accomplish it effectively. If you have an inclination for intricate logistics or possess expertise in aeronautical engineering, then perhaps this career path is fitting for you.
Working for a global airline may offer the advantage of not being confined to one location. It’s possible that, depending on your job responsibilities, rather than being your final destination, New Zealand could be simply another stop along the way.
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare may not be a widely recognized name, but it stands as one of New Zealand’s most thriving enterprises. The company specializes in the production and design of critical healthcare machinery that is exported globally with an emphasis on developing products for respiratory system support. Having been established for 90 years, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare currently boasts almost 3,000 employees within its home country.
Regardless of the field they studied, graduates are invited to work at Fisher & Paykel’s Auckland headquarters. The company seeks gifted individuals who can contribute across its various operations, whether they hold degrees in product design, digital marketing, or medicine. As such, there could be an opportunity for any graduate in the Fisher & Paykel graduate program.
Atlassian
Although these leading New Zealand software companies are highly sought-after employers, they don’t confine their workers to a specific geographic location. As an organization that creates tools designed for facilitating hybrid work arrangements globally, Atlassian has implemented its Team Anywhere initiative. This policy promotes remote work flexibility and provides employees with extensive assistance in working from any location of their choosing as per personal preference.
Atlassian is on the lookout for fresh graduates who are interested in various fields of business such as software engineering, data science, and content design. Whether you’re located within New Zealand or any of the 12 other countries where Atlassian has a presence, there’s an opportunity to join our enthusiastic community of individuals involved with exceptional project management services like Confluence and Jira.
Conclusion
After acquainting you with the leading employers in New Zealand, it’s worth considering how to embark on a career with them. Start by referring to our list of top universities in the nation.
