A small country with a population of 5 million, New Zealand is nevertheless one of the most dynamic economies in the OECD with a growth rate of more than 2%. With a vast and competitive agricultural sector, the New Zealand economy relies on domestic consumption but also on exporting its produce. The proximity of Australia and Asia are advantages not only for international trade but also for its attractiveness as a tourist destination.

Good to know :

Languages Spoken : English
Local Currency : NZ dollar
Capital : Wellington

The conditions for undertaking a Business France V.I.E in New Zealand

Do you already meet the International Young Talent Program criteria ?

Do you have any doubts about your eligibility ? Feel free to contact us

The conditions for undertaking a Business France V.I.A in New Zealand

To go to New Zealand as a V.I.A, you must fulfil the access conditions to the V.I.A.
The administration that is recruiting you is responsible for your residence permit.

Cultural work codes in New Zealand

Working in New Zealand means adopting a relaxed attitude, not only in terms of “casual” dress codes but also in your interactions with people. In email exchanges, you will notice that the wording is quite relaxed: Hi, Cheers, Thanks. Reporting hierarchies are also the same - management and managers are generally very accessible.

In New Zealand, encourage entrepreneurship and innovation are encouraged! Not surprising when you realize that most New Zealand companies are SMEs and start-ups. You can access most positions with a degree or a bachelor's degree and there are many opportunities for development. There is also a good work-life balance with hours that generally range from 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Fridays. Finally, New Zealanders appreciate an informal setting where they can mix business and leisure. So you can expect plenty of after-work activities !

However in business, you will need some patience and good interpersonal skills to gain the trust of your counterparts!For initial approaches, use email or LinkedIn because they prefer this type of interaction to a cold call. Networks are important in New Zealand, so the ideal solution is to be presented by a close contact or a friend. After this initial contact, your contacts will undoubtedly seek to arrange a face-to-face meeting over coffee. Do not forget formalities - punctuality, exchange of business cards, handshake - that count for New Zealanders. To break the ice, start with personal matters before getting to the heart of the issue.

Things that may surprise you in New Zealand

- The Kiwis have definitely earned their reputation as being polite and welcoming ! Very kind and caring, New Zealanders are particularly helpful to foreigners.

- New Zealand is a safe country. You feel safe there and can safely walk home alone, even late at night.

- Make sure you take a warm jumper and something to cover yourself, even indoors. Home insulation is not always state-of-the-art and it can be wet and cold, especially in winter !

- New Zealanders aren't afraid to stand out for their style - tattoos, casual clothes - even at work - and mullets that are back in fashion, conformity is not seen as being important. Don't be surprised, either, to see locals walking down the street barefoot. Who knows, this freedom might win you over !

- Whether a pedestrian or a driver, you have to be careful. First, they drive on the left, which may confuse a lot of foreigners, but also, they drive quite aggressively. There are almost no pedestrian crossings and the time to cross the road is very short ! As for courtesy behind the wheel, don’t count on it !

- You may have a bit of trouble with the Kiwi accent initially. Very different from Australian, British or American accents, vowels are often pronounced as a short “i”. For example: “yis” for yes, “min” for “men”, “siz” for “says”, “his” for “has” ... In short, you know what they say: “practice makes perfect!” So, hang in there, especially as New Zealanders speaking quite fast !

- For foodies, there is plenty to do in New Zealand! Indeed, the density of high-quality restaurants is impressive, especially in Auckland and Wellington. You may, however, be surprised by the rather rapid table service. Barely the time to say “phew” and the waiters have already cleared the plates. It is also rare to take more than an hour over a meal or in a café ! 

- The cost of living is relatively high, especially in Auckland : petrol prices, restaurants, bakeries, shared rent (> €680/month), shopping, etc. It’s not free! At the supermarket, imported products are very expensive but the checkout is a wonderful experience that offsets it a little. No need to pack your groceries, the cashiers do it for you !