Work, Tax, CV
New Zealand has a relatively low unemployment rate and it is easy to find work. However, more than 50 % of all the positions currently available are not advertised anywhere. Therefor it is a good idea to knock on some doors or to pop into some restaurants personally, as work could be right around the corner.
All Seasonal work usually does not require an extensive CV, but it never wrong to have one handy, in case you are asked for it. Simply pick up the phone, make a call and find out if work is available.
Find work with Kelly Services
We recommend to get in contact with Kelly Services. They are an experienced recruitment agency for all kinds of work and their service is absolutely free for you. Simply select one of the locations below and send them a message.
Auckland
View currently available jobs in Auckland
Contact a specialist via email: [email protected]
South Auckland
View currently available jobs in South Auckland
Contact a specialist via email: [email protected]
Wellington
View currently available jobs in Wellington
Contact a specialist via email: [email protected]
Christchurch
View currently available jobs in Christchurch
Contact a specialist via email: [email protected]
Hawkes Bay
View currently available jobs in Hawkes Bay
Contact a specialist via email: [email protected]
Work at Hinz Watties
Other websites to find work
Good online sources for finding work are:
Job Application – CV & Cover Letter
Although there are no real rules, it is recommended to use an anti-chronological CV pointing out your latest experiences and qualifications first. Also consider the following:
- Do not write more than 3 pages
- Keep it short and tidy
- Point our your qualifications and and work experiences
- Point out additional skills and certificates (e. g. driver license)
- Add your contact details and use a professional email address
- Add at least 2 Referees
- Be positive and enthusiastic
- Do not staple anything
- Proof read it by a third person
Every CV should be accompanied by a cover letter, which includes the following:
- Be neat and tidy
- Use a blank A4 paper
- Use only 1 page, if possible
- Pay attention to detail, like spelling mistakes and add your contact details
- Be professional, positive and confident
- Describe where you have found the job you are applying for
- Describe your personal interest in the job
- Tell the reader a highlight from your past
- Let them know that you would be greatly interested to be invited for an interview
A couple of neatly designed CVs that will help you to stand out can be found on https://resume.io/examples
What is my tax code?
Before you start to work, every employer will give you an IR 330 form on which you have to declare your tax code. If you have only one job then your tax code will be “M”. If you have more than one job then the tax code for the job you earn most of your money with will be “M”. For all other secondary jobs you have to choose one of the following:
- For secondary jobs with an annual income of less than $14 000, your tax will be “SB”
- For secondary jobs with an annual income between $14 001 and $48 000, your tax will be “S”
- For secondary jobs with an annual income between $48 001 and $70 000, your tax will be “ST”
How do I get my tax back?
The New Zealand tax year starts on 1 April and ends 31 March of the following year. In general, you can apply for a tax refund after the tax has finished. However, early returns are possible.
A tax return can be a complicated and time consuming process and the amount of tax you get back depends on how many days you have worked, how much you earned, how much tax you paid and for how many different employers you have worked.
We recommend to get in contact with eTAX Refunds, who will take care of your tax refund. The best is that it is risk free, if you are due a tax refund then there wont be a fee.
How much tax will I pay?
Taxes are automatically deducted from your wages/salary by your employer.
- For the portion of your annual income less than $14 000 your tax rate is 10.5%
- For the portion of your annual income between $14 001 and $48 000 your tax rate is 17.5%
- For the portion of your annual income between $48 001 and $70 000 your tax rate is 30%
- For the portion of your annual income over $70 001 your tax rate is 33%
If you want to find out, if you were taxed correctly you can use the PAYE / KiwiSaver deductions calculator
Do I need Kiwi Saver
The simple answer is no.
KiwiSaver is a long-term saving product that focuses on retirement and in which a small part of your wages/salary is deducted and saved for later. If you get handed a KiwiSaver form your employer, you can choose to opt-out and to not participate in this.
Minimum Employment Rights
All employees (incl. Backpackers) are protected by the minimum employment rights, which are as follows:
- The minimum wage per hour before tax is currently $16.50
- Any trial period must not exceed 90 days
- Your are entitled to an unpaid 30 minutes meal break and 2 paid 15 minutes rest breaks within an 8 hour work day
- You are entitled to 4 week paid holidays, if you don’t take these days they must be paid to you latest with your last pay, usually the holiday paid will be 8% of your gross income
- You are entitled to 11 paid public holidays per year, should you work on a public holiday you need to be paid 1.5 times the usual pay plus you get one free paid day
- After working 6 month you are entitled to 5 days sick leave
- The notice you or your employer need to give to quit a job is 2 weeks