Working in IT in New Zealand: All You Need To Know

In April 2023, there were 2,005 IT and communication technology jobs across New Zealand. If you are lucky to be in the right role, you might don’t even need a degree to get a job and work visa in New Zealand. As tech jobs are in high demand, the government also tries to make the process as easier as possible for potential immigrants.

The best IT jobs in New Zealand include Project Managers, Business Analysts, Software Engineers, Automation and QA Engineers, DevOps, and Cloud Specialists. They allow for higher salaries and an easier immigration process. Moreover, a median salary in the tech industry is $100,000, yet, wages for most roles are significantly higher.

Read on to learn more about the tech sector in New Zealand and what career opportunities it has to offer.

Working in tech in New Zealand

IT and the tech industry is a rapidly growing sector in New Zealand, with dozens of new startups and regular tech businesses launching every year.

In 2020 there were 23,229 companies in the technology sector across New Zealand. These businesses employed 111,760 people in 2020. Therefore, there are hundreds of employers you can choose from!

Many employers in New Zealand offer fully remote or hybrid work mode if you work in IT.

Innovative, fast-growing tech companies like Hnry, for example, are always looking for bright minds. At the moment of writing, there are at least 6 IT positions only in this firm. Besides, they hire not only in New Zealand but also in Australia!

That said, New Zealand’s technology sector employs only 5% of all workforce in the country. This industry is less significant than the construction sector, for example, with about 292,600 workers in 2022, but fair enough, it’s construction in the end, and we need new houses! 

Read more insights on the tech sector in New Zealand.

Typical IT companies in New Zealand provide professional and IT infrastructure services to other businesses onshore or overseas. New Zealand is known to work well with Australia and the USA.

There are also plenty of non-Kiwi companies operating in New Zealand, like Datacom Group, Intergen, Optimation Group, and IBM. Most New Zealand tech companies are very niche and provide particular applications, software, or other products in specific industries and business areas. These are Xero, Gentrack, Serko, and Pushpay, just a few examples.

Wellington, a New Zealand capital, is a booming market for IT professionals, with countless startups opening every year. In the end, it’s a creative capital, so there are many bright minds around. However, Welly tech businesses have a high demand for IT workers across various roles.

Wellington is best for getting a permanent position rather than contractor work. Some of the most needed roles include developers, engineers, and architects, also, project management and data analytics are getting traction.

Flexibility and good salaries are the most attractive benefits Wellington’s employers are ready to provide.

Source: recruitit.co.nz

Working in IT: tasks

What are some of the main tasks you will be responsible for as an IT professional in New Zealand? This list will, of course, depend on your role, but here are examples:

• Working with computer hardware and software
• Analyzing and solving computer-related problems
• Digital media, the internet, and communications
• Gaming, animation, or designing websites
• Business development or management
• Programming in various languages

Work-Life Balance in New Zealand: Better Than Overseas?

Best New Zealand tech companies

What are some of the best companies in New Zealand you may work for? Here are the largest IT and technology companies in New Zealand:

• Datacom Group – Wellington
• XERO – Wellington
• Intergen – Wellington
• Sharesies – Wellington
• Vista Group Limited – Auckland
• Shuttlerock – Nelson
• Pushpay – Auckland
• Assurity Consulting – Wellington
• Tradify – Auckland
• Vend – Auckland
• Serko – Auckland
• Fronde – Wellington
• Jade Software – Christchurch
• Lexel – Auckland
• Centrality – Auckland
• OnFinality – Auckland
• EzyVet – Auckland
• First AML – Auckland
• SaleHoo – Christchurch
• Hnry – Wellington
• LawVu – Tauranga
• Re-Leased – Napier
• Soul Machines – Auckland
• Rocket Lab – Auckland

Trends in the IT industry

Trends in Wellington

• Inflation makes an impact on unemployment rates in New Zealand
• Contracting jobs become less popular while more companies are hiring for permanent roles
• DevOps, Cloud experience, and business analysts are in high demand
• Some companies try to balance inflation with an increase in salaries and benefits

Trends in Auckland

• Companies prefer to hire more permanent staff rather than contractors and also tend to reduce the consulting work. Therefore, candidates should focus on permanent employment.
• Employers that don’t offer flexible working hours and options to work from home aren’t very attractive to applicants. Yes, IT professionals are notorious for working from home and even fully remotely.
• It’s common for employees to work 2 to 3 days from home during the week.

Job opportunities in IT in New Zealand

Is New Zealand actually good for IT jobs? Well, New Zealand is home to over 23,000 tech companies which are mostly small businesses. Salaries among IT roles are some of the highest you will come across, especially in management.

Additionally, ICT employees receive better benefits than average workers, including remote work and flexible work options.

About 111,760 people are working in IT firms across the country. Furthermore, employers estimate that there will be about 4,000-5,000 open positions for technology professionals per year in the near future.

At the moment of writing, there are over 2,000 vacancies in tech and IT companies across New Zealand.

Many people are hired from abroad (offshore) because there are simply not enough talents within the country. In 2019, 3,683 foreigners were granted work visas for IT jobs.

Only between 2014 and 2019, 27,057 visas were issued to foreigners coming to work in the IT industry in New Zealand to work in (Information and Communications Technology) ICT.

The shortage of skilled workers in the ICT industry means plenty of opportunities for international candidates.

IT jobs in demand

Generally, most IT jobs you will come across are in demand in New Zealand. However, there is also a Green List, which features roles with a significant shortage of workers.

Positions on the Green List are in exceptionally high demand because there aren’t enough workers with the right skills available in the country. Therefore, New Zealand does everything to attract qualified candidates from abroad.

Green List provided by Immigration New Zealand is aimed to make it easier for employers to fill skills gaps by hiring overseas workers.

Top five in-demand jobs in the IT sector in New Zealand, according to Hays:

• Project & Program Managers
• Business Analysis Practitioners
• Senior Software Engineers
• Automation and QA Engineers
• DevOps and Cloud Specialists

New Zealand’s Green List and IT jobs

There are plenty of IT and technology professions that fall into the shortage list allowing New Zealand employers to hire foreigners easier. Moreover, job candidates categorized as critical workers can obtain a visa and residency easier.

On a Green List, that category is called ICT, electronics, and telecommunication roles. Depending on the role in the company, some candidates can apply for a Tier 1 Straight to Residence or Tier 2 Work to Residence visa. 

Here are IT roles that are on a Green List as of April 2023:

• Analyst Programmer
• Business Analyst
• Chief Information Officer
• Developer Programmer
• Game Developer
• ICT Managers
• Network Administrator
• Project Manager
• Security Specialist
• IT Helpdesk/Support Technician
• Security Consultant
• Multimedia Specialist
• Systems Administrator
• Software and Applications Programmers
• Software Engineer
• Test Analyst
• Software Tester

In March 2023 also, skilled telecommunications technicians were added to the Green List.

Moreover, some of those mentioned above and the following roles are also on a long-term skill shortage list of Immigration New Zealand, allowing for easier immigration pathways.

• ICT Project Manager
• Organization and Methods Analyst
• ICT Business Analyst
• Systems Analyst
• Multimedia Specialist
• Web Developer
• Analyst Programmer
• Developer Programmer
• Software Engineer
• Software Tester
• Software and Applications
• Programmers
• Database Administrator
• ICT Security Specialist
• Systems Administrator
• Computer Network and Systems Engineer
• Network Administrator
• Quality Assurance Engineer
• ICT Support Engineer
• ICT Systems Test Engineer
• ICT Support and Test Engineers nec
• Telecommunications Engineer
• Telecommunications
• Network Engineer
• IT Customer Support Officer

Get a residency as an IT worker

If you get a job in one of the abovementioned positions, you might be eligible to get a residency (PR) immediately. For reference, one would usually need to be in New Zealand on a work visa for two years until they can apply for a PR.

To be eligible for a residency, you must be on Tier 1 of the Green List, working for an accredited employer, or have a job offer from one and be under 55 of age. If you meet all the visa requirements, you can apply for a Straight to Residence Visa and get a PR right away.

Cities with the most IT jobs

You probably already know of Auckland and Wellington as tech Meccas of New Zealand, but the list doesn’t end there. If you are fortunate to be an IT professional, you will have plenty of choices on where to live in New Zealand. Yes, 50% of all jobs in IT are in Auckland, and 14% are in Wellington.

That said, the other 35% are spread across the country. For example, Christchurch is a great place to work and live as housing prices are significantly lower than in Auckland and Wellington, yet, salaries are at a decent level. Another good option is Hamilton – a city with some tech jobs (57 at the moment) and an affordable cost of living.

Cities like Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Hamilton have the most jobs, but thanks to your field, you can also get a remote position as a developer, for example, and work from anywhere. 

Auckland

Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city and home to the largest enterprises, so you certainly can get a well-paid job as an IT worker. The benefits of working in Auckland are vast career opportunities, high salaries, and an international environment.

Auckland’s tech sector is one of the fastest growing in New Zealand. Besides, 87% of all IT workers rate their current workplace highly, offering flexible working conditions, career development, and various non-financial benefits.

Auckland is also the most popular place among foreigners who come to New Zealand to work or study.

Here are the best IT fields to work in Auckland:

• Interactive technology
• Advanced engineering
• Digital content
• Wireless technology
• High-tech manufacturing
• Cyber security
• VR/AR
• Gaming and mobile
• Geospatial
• Telecommunications

As of April 2023, there are 1,008 open vacancies in informational technology in Auckland.

Wellington

Wellington is New Zealand’s capital and is a very compact city. Despite its small population (about 200,000 people), it offers plenty of jobs, especially in tech companies headquartered in CBD.

Wellington is the best New Zealand city for young people as most of its population is in their late 20-s and 30-s. This city offers a great mix of urban and suburban life in proximity to nature. Locals and immigrants really enjoy this place.

As an IT professional, you will have a range of job opportunities across the number of tech companies that are based in Wellington.

Moreover, New Zealand’s capital offers some of the highest median salaries in IT, averaging NZ$95,000 per year.

As of April 2023, there are about 569 IT jobs listed on Seek.co.nz in Wellington.

Christchurch

Today, Christchurch is one of the most underrated cities in New Zealand. Few people know of its young, urban, lively, and energetic vibe. In addition, there are plenty of IT jobs and affordable housing.

Christchurch was substantially damaged during earthquakes in 2011, so it’s still in the process of building up. For that reason, the city also tried to attract new residents, including people from abroad.

Christchurch is home to many technology businesses, including software, hardware, and electronics companies, ensuring many IT jobs.

In April 2023, Christchurch businesses have 234 open vacancies for IT professionals. 

Other cities where you might consider getting an IT job are:

• Hamilton
• Tauranga
• Dunedin
• Nelson
• Palmerston North
• New Plymouth
• Rotorua
• Whangarei

Also read: Best cities for job opportunities in New Zealand.

Best Cities For Job Opportunities in New Zealand [2024]: Attention Job Seekers

Salaries for IT jobs in New Zealand

IT professionals working in New Zealand enjoy high salaries compared to many other fields. The median salary in New Zealand’s tech sector was $100,000 in 2021.

Here is the statical data for median tech salaries in Wellington and Auckland in December 2022:

Salaries in Wellington (W) and Auckland (A)

Leadership positions	Permanent position W	Permanent position A	Contract job ($ per hour) W	Contract job ($ per hour) A
Chief Information Officer	240,000	300,000	200	255
Chief Technology Officer	230,000	290,000	190	200
Chief Digital Officer	215,000	260,000	190	200
Head of Digital	190,000	215,000	175	175
Manager – Infra/Apps/Data/Test	140,000	175,000	140	142,5
IT Manager	130,000	125,000	120	105
IT Operations Manager	125,000	150,000	120	110
Product Manager	157,500	160,000	145	130
Programme Manager	170,000	195,000	160	175
Senior Project Manager	137,500	155,000	130	145

Other IT positions in Wellington vs Auckland

Role	Permanent position W	Permanent position A	Contract job ($ per hour) W	Contract job ($ per hour) A
Business Analyst Manager	145,000	170,000	140	150
Business Analyst	115,000	115,000	112.5	110
UX Designer	115,000	105,000	110	100
Insights & Analytics Manager	142,500	120,000	130	130
Senior Developer	125,000	150,000	115	132,5
Intermediate Developer	95,000	120,000	87.5	100
Junior Developer	62,500	85,000	60	70
Test Analyst/QA	90,000	100,000	97.5	137,5
DevOps Engineer	130,00	115,000	130	100
Cloud Engineer	125,000	130,000	125	122.5

The data presented in this part of the article is from www.recruitit.co.nz.

As you can see, tech salaries in Auckland are significantly higher than in Wellington. Only DevOps Engineers get paid better in Wellington.

Furthermore, here is a report from Hays with average annual salaries (in thousands) for jobs in technology for 2022 – 2023 in cities like Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.

Role	Service desk	Desktop Support	Applications Support	Systems Administration/Engineer	Network Architect	Cyber Security Engineer	Business Analyst	Program Manager
Auckland	50-60k	60-70	70-100	80-100	120-160	120-160	90-120	180-240
Wellington	55-65	65-75	80-100	90-110	145-165	120-160	95-110	170-230
Christchurch	50-60	60-70	70-90	80-100	115-150	120-160	90-110	170-230

Role	Developer	DevOps Engineer	Data Scientist	Product Manager	Cyber Security Analyst	Test Analyst	CIO	IT Manager
Auckland	95-125	115-160	110-160	140-175	110-140	100-130	150-280	130-160
Wellington	90-120	110-140	110-150	140-160	110-140	100-130	180-250	130-160
Christchurch	80-110	100-130	100-130	130-160	110-140	100-130	150-220	130-150

Highest-paying IT jobs in New Zealand

If you are aiming to increase your current pay by getting a job in New Zealand, here are the best-paid IT roles:

• Infrastructure Architect (up to $200K)
• Cloud Architect (up to $200K)
• Chief Information Security Officer ($160,000 – $200,000)
• IDAM Architect ($200K)
• Data Science Engineer ($160,000 – $200,000).
• Data Architect ($180K)
• Tech Lead ($200K)
• Project Manager (from $200K)
• Senior Solution Architect ($160,000 – $200,000)
• Head of Digital/ CIO (from $200K)
• Programme Director ($200K)