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
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.
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)
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