Employees That Bow to No One: How to Hire the Best Talent from New Zealand

We’ve still only scratched the surface of reasons to hire in New Zealand. Here are three takeaways you need to understand about the New Zealand workforce.

• Increasing Workforce: New Zealand’s workforce has been consistently growing, with the total labor force reported at 2,955,087 in 2022. This increase is forecasted to continue, with a 90% chance that the labor force will increase to between 3 and 5 million in 2043. This constant growth presents businesses with an ever-expanding talent pool to tap into.
• Diverse Industries: The New Zealand job market spans various industries, with significant new job opportunities each year in sectors such as accommodation and food services, business services, and construction. This diversity in the job market indicates a broad range of skills and experiences in the New Zealand workforce, providing businesses with a wide array of talent specialties to choose from.
• Potential Underutilization: Despite the robustness of the New Zealand labor market, there exists a potential labor force of 31,900 people (or 9.3% of the labor force) who are currently underutilized. This segment of the labor force could present opportunities for businesses to discover untapped talent, particularly in sectors where there’s a high demand for workers.

How does that sound? We know this is a lot of information to take into consideration. That’s why at Multiplier we pride ourselves on offering dedicated, 24/5 support tailored to specific countries–so you can sit back and relax in the knowledge that the professionals have things under control. 

Now you’re speaking their language

Picture this scenario: you’ve hired and onboarded talent from New Zealand, and now you’re wondering what makes them tick. Consider these tips for effective communication with your New Zealand colleagues, starting with the stuff that helps no matter where they’re based:

1. Clear Communication: Clearly communicate job expectations, company culture, and goals to ensure alignment. Regular check-ins and feedback sessions can help keep everyone on the same page.
2. Leverage Technology: Use technology to facilitate collaboration and communication. Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Trello can help manage projects effectively.
3. Integration: Make efforts to integrate remote workers into the company culture. Virtual team-building activities or occasional in-person meetings (if possible) can foster a sense of belonging.
4. Legal Compliance: Ensure all employment contracts and practices comply with New Zealand labor laws, even when hiring remotely. Luckily, with Multiplier, our easy-to-use platform ensures compliance is guaranteed, with automatic contract generation that dots the Is and crosses the Ts.

That’s the basics, but you’re going to need a little more than that to bond with your new hire. New Zealand is a country where sports are deeply ingrained in the national identity. Rugby, in particular, holds a special place in the hearts of Kiwis (that’s a nickname for New Zealanders for the uninitiated) and is often considered the unofficial national sport. The country’s rugby team, the All Blacks, enjoy a global reputation, not only for their skill but for their pre-match haka performances. Beyond rugby, New Zealanders also participate in and follow a variety of other sports like netball, cricket, soccer, horse racing, golf, and tennis. All of which is to say, there’s probably a sport you and your hire will be able to bond over.

On the cultural front, New Zealand, or Aotearoa as it is known in Maori, boasts a rich tapestry of traditions. The country has a vibrant arts scene, with a strong tradition of forms such as Maori carving and weaving, alongside Western-style sculpture and painting. What’s more, New Zealanders are known for their manaakitanga (welcoming spirit and generosity). A mention of any one of these cultural cornerstones will surely serve as a good ice breaker!

Speaking the truth

Of course, if you really want to impress your new hire, you could try picking up some New Zealand terminology. While English is the primary language, in New Zealand, the Maori language has a significant influence on greetings and farewells. “Kia ora” is a popular Maori phrase that has been adopted into New Zealand English, and it can be used to say “hello,” “goodbye,” or “thank you”. Other useful Maori phrases include “Mōrena” for “good morning”, “Tēnā koe” for “good day”, and “Pō mārie” for “good evening”. Or, to express a farewell wish similar to “You have a good day”, you can say “Kia pai to rā”.

When it comes to work terminology, Kiwis use unique phrases that reflect their laid-back culture. The phrase “she’ll be right” is commonly used to convey the concept of “everything will be okay” or “the task will get done”. Furthermore, if a Kiwi says the meeting they’ve just had is “sweet as”, they mean that it’s really good or excellent.

As far as tech terminology goes, New Zealanders use most of the same terms as other English-speaking countries. But remain vigilant for unique slang that might crop up in tech conversations. For instance, if the term “Yeah nah” is used in response to your inquiry about setting up a Zoom meeting, they are simply acknowledging you have spoken instead of confirming or rejecting your request!

Did you know?

Now that we’ve got the serious business out of the way, let’s have a quick look at some New Zealand fun facts.

New Zealand has a rich and fascinating history. The Maori people were the first to arrive in New Zealand, journeying in canoes from Hawaiki about 1,000 years ago. Notably, New Zealand was the first country to grant women the right to vote in 1893, marking an important milestone in the global women’s suffrage movement.

When it comes to famous individuals, New Zealand has produced several notable figures. Sir Edmund Hillary, a New Zealander, was one of the first two individuals to reach the summit of Mount Everest. In the world of entertainment, director Peter Jackson is perhaps one of the most well-known Kiwis, thanks to his work on the “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies.

Last but not least, there’s the food. New Zealand is known for its fresh produce and unique dishes. The traditional Maori hangi, a method of cooking food using heated rocks buried in a pit oven, is a must-try. When it comes to dessert, no discussion of New Zealand’s cuisine would be complete without mentioning the beloved pavlova, a meringue-based dessert named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova during her tour of the country in the 1920s.

Hungry for more New Zealand info?

We’ve got you covered! So far we’ve talked about the big picture, but our talent wiki page contains all the nitty gritty information you need to make your New Zealand hiring plans an astronomical success. Click the link for details on statutory leave, public holidays, talent sourcing locations, and much, much more!

Taxes:

• Employers must contribute 4%, consisting of KiwiSaver at 3% and Earners’ Levy at 1%

Employee benefits:

• Unemployment benefit (Jobseeker support)
• Domestic Purposes Benefit (Sole Parent Support)
• Health benefits (Sickness Benefit and Invalid’s Benefit)
• Pension Scheme (KiwiSaver, Accident compensation levies)
• Superannuation

Visa requirements:

• Foreigners have various work visa options based on the purpose of their stay in the country