Labor market
Some of the vacancies are filled through recruitment agencies, employment agencies, personnel consultants – list of certified, approved consultants. Vacancies are advertised in daily newspapers, specialist magazines and on the Internet. According to countryvv, the construction industry is currently booming, which is why there is an increasing need for skilled workers. Labor shortages are mainly in Christchurch and Auckland.
Depending on the region, the following skilled workers are currently being sought: Technicians in the telecommunications sector, IT specialists, engineers, electricians, plumbers, bricklayers, stonemasons, floor layers.
However, plumbers and electricians need a New Zealand professional license first! If you have found a job that is on this list, it is easier to get a work visa. Of course, you have to be able to prove that you have the appropriate qualifications.
However, this does not mean that immigrating or looking for a job in New Zealand cannot work with another profession. There is also the Working Holiday Visa for young people, a student visa, the Skilled Migrant category and also the Business Visa section, where you can get to New Zealand with the appropriate investment or as an entrepreneur.
Anyone who is resident in New Zealand or stays in the country for more than 183 days per year is considered a resident for tax purposes and has to pay income tax (10.5 to a maximum of 33%). At the age of 65 and after 10 years in New Zealand, permanent residents can claim an old-age pension.
Cost of living
With the economic reform in New Zealand, subsidies and taxes have been reduced and the tax system has been simplified. The cost of living is around 20 percent cheaper than in Germany. The standard of living is higher in some areas.
You need around € 4,227.89 in Wellington to maintain the standard of living that you could have in Berlin at € 3,700.00 (assuming you rent in the cities).
- Consumer prices in Wellington are 8.63% higher than in Berlin (without rent)
- Consumer prices in Wellington are 14.27% higher than in Berlin (including rent)
- Rental prices in Wellington are 27.15% higher than in Berlin
- Restaurant prices in Wellington are 12.65% higher than in Berlin
- Food prices in Wellington are 25.48% higher than in Berlin
- The local purchasing power in Wellington is 8.75% higher than in Berlin
Average cost of living in Wellington (from 09/2019 – 08/2020)
| Restaurant | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Food, price w. restaurant | 9.46 | 6.68-13.90 |
| Middle class, 3 courses for 2 people. | 50.06 | 36.15-83.43 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l | 5.01 | 2.78 – 6.67 |
| Imported beer, 0.33 l | 5.28 | 3.89-6.67 |
| cappuccino | 2.62 | 2.22-3.06 |
| Coca / Pepsi (0.33 l) | 1.90 | 1.39-2.23 |
| Water (0.33 l) | 1.74 | 1.39-2.22 |
| Food | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Milk (1 L) | 1.56 | 0.73 – 2.50 |
| White bread (500g) | 1.46 | 0.56-2.22 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | 1.81 | 1.11 – 2.78 |
| Eggs (12) | 3.18 | 1.92-3.89 |
| Local cheese (1kg) | 6.03 | 4.95 – 11.12 |
| Chicken breast fillet (1kg) | 6.89 | 3.71-10.57 |
| Beef (1kg) or other red meat | 9.97 | 7.23-15.02 |
| Apples (1kg) | 1.98 | 0.83-2.78 |
| Bananas (1kg) | 1.59 | 1.11-2.22 |
| Oranges (1kg) | 2.10 | 0.83-2.78 |
| Tomatoes (1kg) | 2.69 | 1.30-4.44 |
| Potatoes (1kg) | 1.58 | 0.56 – 2.78 |
| Onions (1kg) | 1.23 | 0.61-1.78 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 1.44 | 0.83-2.22 |
| Water (1.5 l) | 1.02 | 0.55-2.22 |
| Bottle of wine (middle class) | 8.34 | 5.56-11.12 |
| Local beer (0.5 l) | 2.61 | 1.10-5.56 |
| Imported beer (0.33 l) | 3.55 | 1.67 – 6.67 |
Average costs for local transport, utilities, clothing, leisure, education of Wellington (from 09/2019 – 08/2020)
| Mode of Transport | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| One-time ticket | 2.78 | 1.67-4.45 |
| Monthly pass | 83.43 | 62.29-105.68 |
| Taxi base amount | 2.02 | 1.67-3.62 |
| Taxi 1 km | 1.64 | 1.45 – 2.78 |
| Ancillary housing costs | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| for 85 sqm apartment (electricity, water, garbage, etc. | 91.03 | 56.73-150.42 |
| 1 minute prepaid mobile tariff | 0.22 | 0.11-0.24 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable / ADSL) | 46.60 | 38.93-55.62 |
| Clothes, shoes | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | 61.64 | 33.37-88.99 |
| Summer dress (Zara, H&M,… | 28.39 | 16.69-50.06 |
| Nike sports shoes, middle class | 78.94 | 55.62-100.11 |
| Leather business shoes | 98.35 | 66.74-139.05 |
| leisure time | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Fitness center, month / adult | 26.07 | 8.34-44.50 |
| Tennis, 1 hour on weekends | 9.37 | 5.56-11.68 |
| a movie ticket | 8.90 | 7.23-11.12 |
| training | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Preschool / Kindergarten, private, whole day, monthly per child | 661.07 | 250.29-1,001.15 |
| International primary school per year and child | 8,620.99 | 8,342.90 – 10,011.48 |
Average rental prices / purchase and salaries of Wellington (from 09/2019 – 08/2020)
| Monthly rental price | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in the city center | 1,041.01 | 834.29-1.334.86 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) outside the center | 809.99 | 622.94 – 1,112.39 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in the city center | 1,822.35 | 1,668.58-2,224.77 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside the center | 1,367.68 | 1,112.39 – 1,668.58 |
| Purchase price of apartments | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Price per square meter for an apartment in the city – purchase | 4,050.91 | 2,780.97-5,561.93 |
| Price per square meter – apartment outside the center – purchase | 2,621.97 | 1,668.58-3337.16 |
| wages | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Average monthly salary (after taxes) | 2,621.89 | – |
Average rental prices / purchase and salaries of Auckland (from 09/2019 – 08/2020)
| Monthly rental price | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in the city center | 1,045.87 | 889.91-1334.86 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) outside the center | 929.29 | 667.43-1,112.39 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in the city center | 1,914.70 | 1,557.34-2,224.77 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside the center | 1,465.14 | 1,223.62 – 1,668.58 |
| Purchase price of apartments | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Price per square meter for an apartment in the city – purchase | 6,135.78 | 4,687.60 – 8,342.90 |
| Price per square meter – apartment outside the center – purchase | 4,973.36 | 3,244.27 – 6,559.19 |
| wages | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Average monthly salary (after taxes) | 2,368.50 | – |
Average rental prices / purchase and salaries of Christchurch (from 09/2019 – 08/2020)
| Monthly rental price | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in the city center | 847.89 | 667.43-1,112.39 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) outside the center | 639.62 | 500.57-711.93 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in the city center | 1,364.53 | 1,112.39 – 1,946.68 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside the center | 1,086.72 | 1,001.15 – 1,390.48 |
| Purchase price of apartments | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Price per square meter for an apartment in the city – purchase | 3,059.06 | 1,946.68 – 4,449.54 |
| Price per square meter – apartment outside the center – purchase | 1,761.28 | 1,390.48 – 2,502.87 |
| wages | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Average monthly salary (after taxes) | 2,242.16 | – |
Emigration and Living in New Zealand
New Zealand is only a recommended emigration country for English-speaking professionals up to the age of 44 years. Some of the advantages of the country: high immigrant satisfaction, peaceful, free of nuclear power, high quality of life, low population density.
