Teach English in New Zealand

Work & Visas

How do I find work?

There are plenty of websites with links to jobs in NZ – check out the New Zealand forum of Dave’s ESL Café.

Can I find work while in-country?

With so many well-qualified teachers in NZ, this is your best bet. A quick glance at the Yellow Pages will reveal dozens of schools in each of the big cities.

What is the usual hiring process?

It’s the usual process of providing the school with a CV and attending interviews.

Is a work visa required to find paid work in?

Australians do not need a work permit.

Teachers aged 30 or under who hail from the UK, Ireland, the United States or Canada – and a few other non-English speaking countries – can apply for a 12-month working holiday visa. Anyone else will have a hard time arranging a visa unless they are very well-qualified with specialized skills.

Working holiday visa requirements:

• Citizen of one of the participating countries
• Aged 18-30
• Health certificate
• Evidence of sufficient funds (NZ$350 per month of stay)
• Hold a return ticket or the funds to buy one
• If you have any children, you must not bring them