All you need to know about working in Aotearoa
AWF are part of New Zealand’s leading recruitment Group, so if you're looking to work around NZ, you’ve come to the right place!
About us
We are a recruitment agency. Our job is to help our clients find people like you to work for them. If you work with us, you'll be an employee of AWF, not our clients. Our clients pay us directly, so you won't have any deductions from your pay.
With 21 branches across NZ, AWF is your one-stop-shop to find the job you need, in the place you're at, to help pay for your travels around our amazing country.
Our jobs
We help job seekers find employment in a variety of roles, including labouring positions, drivers, fruit pickers, gardeners, mail sorters, and production workers, often requiring little or no experience. We also recruit for skilled positions such as plumbers, carpenters, welders, and qualified drivers. Our placements can last for a day or run for months and they are flexible to fit around your commitments. You can even hop around the country doing difference jobs through AWF – what better way to see the country?
Apply Now to register with a local AWF branch, or you can Search Jobs.
How to get paid in NZ
Before starting work in New Zealand, there are a few important things you need to do. You will need a valid work visa, a New Zealand bank account, and an IRD number to ensure you pay the right amount of tax. Not having an IRD number means you will be taxed at a higher rate.
To open a bank account, you can choose from one of the four main banks in New Zealand - ANZ, BNZ, Westpac NZ, and ASB. Each has a national presence and user-friendly online banking apps. You can apply online between 90-180 days before you arrive, but you must hold a valid visa before doing so.
Once you arrive in New Zealand, you can activate your account at a local branch. You can deposit money before arrival, but you will need to complete the process in person to withdraw money.
You can apply for an IRD number before you arrive as long as you have opened a NZ bank account. Visit ird.govt.nz for more information.
You'll also need:
Photo identification (ID), such as a passport
Proof of address, for example, a letter from your utilities company
Tax identification number from your country or territory
Proof of reason for applying for IRD number, for example, you are working here
A New Zealand bank account
Get a NZ SIM card
To stay connected with family and friends back home, schedule future travel activities, stay in touch with your newfound friends and fellow travellers, or to arrange job interviews, you'll need to get connected with a NZ sim card!
Some of the major phone providers include Vodafone, 2degrees, Spark, and Skinny.
Mobile Phone Plan Terminology
Prepay: This is a type of phone plan that has no contract. You pay as much or as little in advance towards your phone bill. For more info on Prepay, read 5 Reasons to Choose a Prepay Plan.
Plan: It is a general term for the offer that you will be using to use your phone. It is often monthly but can also be weekly.
Pay as you go: Paying per text, call, data usage at a flat rate. It is the opposite of a “plan”.
Tips for surviving a long-haul flight
No matter where you're coming from in the world, we are on the edge of any map you’ll find, which is a big part of what makes this place so special. It also means spending a decent amount of time on an aeroplane to get here!
Here are some survival tips to get you here in tip top shape:
Stay hydrated. Water is your best friend on a long flight and helps combat fatigue, dry skin and headaches.
Wear layers and bring a scarf. Layering up is the smartest way to be prepared for arctic aircon or warm airports. A scarf can also act as a handy pillow for an impromptu power nap.
Choose your seat. Prefer isle or window? Get in there first and secure your preference.
Download your entertainment. Make sure anything you want to watch or listen to on your devices is accessible without internet connection.
Power your devices. This tip speaks for itself - easy access to power may not be available.
Bring a shower in a bag. Mini toothpaste, facial wipes and a mini moisturiser and deodorant in your hand luggage can make you feel like a million dollars.
Make yourself comfortable. Avoid tight fitting clothes, shirts or stiff jeans for a long flight.
Terms & Conditions
This Promotion is run by AWF Limited.
By entering this Promotion you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
This Promotion is open to those legally able to work in New Zealand.
This Promotion is open from 9am, Monday 1 September 2025 until 11.59pm, Wednesday 31st December 2025.
A successful referral is when a Referred Candidate is placed into a temporary assignment by AWF, specifically in one or more of the roles listed at the bottom of this page, and they complete 100 hours as can be verified by our records.
Referral Rewards will be issued to a Referrer at the completion of 100 hours by the Referred Candidate within 6 months of commencing employment under temporary assignments arranged by AWF.
The Reward is one Prezzy Card with the value of $100 NZD (one hundred New Zealand dollars).
The Reward is not redeemable for cash.
One Reward per successfully referred candidate will be issued to the Referrer. There is no limit to the number of referral rewards that may be issued to a Referrer, provided that all other terms and conditions of this Promotion are met.
A Referred Candidate cannot be a currently active candidate in the AWF database. A ‘currently active’ candidate constitutes a candidate who has applied for a job, or been referred to a job vacancy, or has been in communication with AWF within the last 9 months as of the date of referral submission.
The Referrer must be currently employed by AWF or have been employed by AWF over the past 12 months.
Referrals must be received by AWF during the promotion period.
In the case where a Referrer provides a candidate’s details to AWF, the Referred Candidate must have provided permission and must be aware they have been referred.
Be aware that AWF will not issue referral Rewards where notification of the referral has not been provided to AWF. Notification is to be made via the form on this page.
AWF is not required to issue retrospective referral prizes for historic referrals where no notification to AWF was provided.
The Referrers of successful referrals may be contacted by AWF to request details and photographs for promotional purposes. Participation by a Referrer in any promotional activity is optional.
AWF will not, without permission, give out any personal information to third parties, as per our Privacy Policy.
By entering this Promotion you agree to receive further communication via phone or email from AWF.
Internal AWF staff are excluded from this promotion.
In the event of a dispute regarding this Promotion and any of its Terms & Conditions, the final decision will rest with AWF management.
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