Education in New Zealand

Those considering a New Zealand visa for studying should read about all the benefits of the country's education system. New Zealand visas for study are available, so to find out if you are eligible click on the above link for a free assessment.

All schools must operate under the provisions of the Education Act of 1989 and must follow The New Zealand Curriculum, a statement of student learning policy for schools, setting out the expectations for what all children should learn.

The New Zealand Education Act (1989) provides free education in approximately 2,700 state schools which are administered by Boards of Trustees. Each Board of Trustees has a large measure of autonomy in its governance of its school.

Government-funded schools (state schools) do not charge tuition fees however parents are expected to meet some minor costs such as uniforms, stationery and some extracurricular activities such as sports trips or school camps.

In some circumstances children are required to attend the school they are zoned for. If one chooses to live outside the zone of the preferred school, children may not be eligible for a place in that school. Any spare places at popular schools are generally allocated by ballot.

Exceptions to zoning may include attendance at a school with a special character - such as a religious school.

Sectors of schooling

The New Zealand education system is broadly divided into the following categories:

• Early childhood (preschool and kindergarten);
• Primary school starting at age five (year 1 to 6);
• Intermediate school starting at age 11 (years 7 to 8);
• Secondary school starting at around age 13 (years 9 to 13) and finishing at age 17 or 18;
• Tertiary or vocational higher education.

Early childhood children usually attend preschool between the ages of two and five years old. Attendance at preschool is not compulsory however it is common for parents to enrol their children in early childhood programmes.

New Zealand has a wide range of early childhood services, including both state-funded and private preschools. Many are run by private operators, community church groups and voluntary agencies.

Kindergarten

Kindergartens are an alternative to preschools and provide early childhood education for children from the age of three to five years.

Children attend either morning or afternoon sessions which are informal and focus on developing social skills and learning through play.

Most kindergartens have two or three trained teachers but parents are expected to help out both with class supervision and with fundraising and committee work.

Kindergartens usually do not charge fees but donations are generally expected.

Primary School

Children must be enrolled at a primary school by their sixth birthday, however the majotiy of children attend primary school once they turn five years old.

A number of primary schools also take children through to the completion of intermediate school (Year 7 and 8). Depending on local schooling options, children in Years 7 and 8 can either stay at their primary school or move to an intermediate school for these two years.

The primary school curriculum covers English language (oral and written, reading, handwriting and spelling), mathematics, science, social sciences, the arts (including music), technology, and physical health and well-being.

At intermediate level, workshop craft and home economics are also studied. Maori language and culture is also taught widely in schools.

Secondary School

There are 440 secondary schools throughout New Zealand. Although the largest schools have around 2000 students, the average school size has about 1000 students.

Attendance at secondary school is compulsory up to age 16 (Year 11 or 12). The majority of students remain in school until the age of 18, however students can attend secondary school until the end of the year they turn 19.

Secondary school is also known as high school or college and covers ages 13 to 18 (Years 9 to 13). In some rural parts of New Zealand primary and secondary schools may be combined to form what is known as an Area School.

Tertiary Education

Nearly a quarter of New Zealanders have some form of tertiary education and currently about 40% of school leavers go directly to tertiary training.

Tuition fees are not fully covered by the state, and students are expected to contribute to these. Tertiary education fees vary considerably depending on the course of study and the chosen provider of the course.

University

There are eight government-funded universities in New Zealand and all have internationally respected academic and research standards. At university, students can work towards bachelor, master and doctoral degrees.

Career and Vocational Training

New Zealand has 25 polytechnics providing a very wide range of courses up to and including degree-level. Polytechnics also provide short courses, pre- employment courses and vocational education training courses.

Types of school

The majority of students in New Zealand attend state-funded schools, however there are a number of schooling options available to parents, caregivers and students.

In general a child can attend any state school, even one that is not the closest to where they live. It should be noted however that this is not always the case.

State schools

State schools are co-educational (mixed sexes) at primary and intermediate level, but some offer single-sex education at secondary level. Lessons are based on the New Zealand Curriculum.

Special Schools

Special schools are state schools that provide education for students with special education needs. The curriculum is the same as at other state schools.

Integrated Schools

Integrated schools are schools that used to be private and have now become part of the state system. They teach the New Zealand Curriculum but keep their own special character (usually a philosophical or religious belief) as part of their school programme.

Designated Character

Designated Character schools are state schools that teach the New Zealand Curriculum but have been allowed to develop their own set of aims, purposes and objectives to reflect their own particular values.

Independent (or Private) Schools

Independent (or private) schools are governed by their own independent boards, but must meet certain standards in order to be registered.

Independent schools may be either co-educational or single-sex. They charge fees, but also receive some subsidy funding from the government.

As at July 1 2004 3.8% (29,150 students) attended private schools.

Boarding Schools

Boarding schools may either be independent or part of a state-funded school. There are a number of boarding schools in New Zealand and all charge boarding fees.

Enrolling children in school

To enrol children at a school, it is best to contact the school directly by telephone or in person.

Applicants should provide their visa or entry documents, proof of date of birth and any papers including school reports relating to their previous education.

Applicants may also need to provide the school with immunisation documents.

If a family is planning to send their child to a public school, their choice may be somewhat limited by where they choose to live.

Similarities and differences between New Zealand and UK education

The New Zealand system of education and teaching is essentially similar to the UK, although there are some differences worthy of note:

• New Zealand's education system is based on a nationwide statement of student learning policy that all schools adhere to.
• Instead of the UK's prescriptive and content dominated and assessment based National Curriculum, curriculum strategies in New Zealand are intended more as guidance than requirements for schools.
• New Zealand schools have more freedom to focus on developing children's learning and thinking skills.

The school year

The school year runs from February to December and has four terms. Each term is roughly ten weeks long.

Summer holidays (December to February) last about five and a half weeks at primary schools and about a week longer at secondary schools. The autumn, winter and spring holidays each last two weeks.

The school day generally runs from 9am - 3pm for primary school or 9am - 3.30pm for secondary school.

Further information

Detailed information about schooling in New Zealand can be obtained from New Zealand Embassies and High Commissions or from the Ministry of Education in New Zealand. Find out further information on our Healthcare page.

Taking your pets to New Zealand

Anyone considering a New Zealand visa application should be aware of the country's tight quarantine restrictions, similar to those encountered by applicants for Australia visas. To find out your exact rights during you New Zealand immigration, take our free assessment above.

Only domesticated dogs and cats may be imported. If you have a non-traditional pet (such as a bird, rabbit, ferret, hamster, guinea pig, rat, or mouse), it will not be able to accompany you to New Zealand.

Animals must be shipped in International Air Transport Association (IATA) approved transit kennels that allow the animal to stand up without touching the top of the box, lie down and turn around.

Cats and dogs must be shipped as manifest cargo and not as excess baggage. There is currently no quarantine for cats and dogs entering New Zealand, however they must be isolated at the owner's home for 30 days.

All animals must come through Auckland International Airport. They must have typically spent at least six months in their departure country and will require full vaccinations and a subcutaneous identity chip.

Certain breeds of dogs (including cross-breeds) are not eligible for importation. These include the American Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentine, Japanese Tosa and Brazilian Fila.

Vaccinations required for cats:

• Rabies
• Panleukopenia
• Rhinotrachetis
• Calicivirus
• Chlamydia Psittaci (optional)

To import cats or dogs to New Zealand the following is required:

• As from the July 1 2005 you no longer need an Import permit, however all animals must be identified with a microchip (approved ISO types only) or permanent tattoo.
• An Official Export Health Certificate, which must be applied for from DEFRA.
• On two occasions, 14 days apart, being within 30 days of export, faecal samples must be taken from the animal(s) and examined for hookworm eggs. Tests must be done by a Government or VI Laboratory.
• Treatment for internal parasites must be given within 21 days of export and again within 96 hours of export.
• Treatment with an insecticidal dip for external parasites must be given between 48 - 96 hours of export.
• In the case of dogs, blood tests/treatment for Brucella canis, Dirofilaria, Ehrlichia and Leptospirosis (or specific treatment with antibiotics) must be submitted to the relevant authority within 30 days of the flight with negative results (more tests will need to be done if any positive results are obtained).
• Babesia Gibsoni testing is now required, 2 tests need to be completed within 10 days of departure. They are, blood taken from the outer surface of the ear for smear testing and a PCR test.
• For dogs, two heartworm (Dirofilaria) tests, Antigerm Elisa Test and Microfilaria concentration test need to be done.
• The original clearance of notifiable diseases certificate from DEFRA. The vet at the airport must have this in order to sign the third section of the Health Certificate.
• The LVI doing the first two sections does not require this. A written declaration regarding residency, age and pregnancy as laid down in the regulation.

Importing Cats or Dogs to New Zealand 

Moving a pet to New Zealand can cost several thousand New Zealand dollars by the time you take into account vet costs before you leave and air transport.

Before you leave the UK a vet will need to implant a microchip into your pet (or arrange for a permanent tattoo) for identification purposes.

If coming to New Zealand from the UK, you should allow for around £100 for vet costs. To fly a cat or a small dog to New Zealand from the UK will cost around £1,000. Find out further information on our Emigrate to Northland page.

New Zealand Immigration

Finding the right visa is vital to ensuring your long term immigration to New Zealand. Our experts will work with you to plan and prepare your case to ensure we secure the best possible route through New Zealand Immigrations Laws. There is a wide range of immigration options that can make finding and applying for the most appropriate visa an interesting challenge for our Immigration Experts but, with over one million successful cases and counting, you can be certain that we shall find the best visa for you. Our professionals at Global Visas are highly qualified and shall work with you every step of the way before you go and after you arrive in the New Zealand. From selecting and applying for your visa to managing your entire immigration process, we will provide all the support that you need. You, your family and your dream life are in safe hands. 

Work in New Zealand

Our vast experience has taught us that employers in New Zealand receive thousands of applications for jobs from overseas applicants every year.  Many employers will reject the resume on the simple fact it is from overseas and the person would need a visa and that is a hassle to arrange. Our International Employment experts understand what employers in New Zealand want to see and they work with our clients to prepare their resume, references and qualifications for review at an international standard. Our team of experts provide an international qualifications assessment and conversion so employers are assured that you have the qualifications required to do the job. We also prepare your references to suit the local market and much more. Once we are satisfied you are ready for employment we issue our certificate of assurance for your future employer stating that, if they employ you, we shall secure the necessary visa. When you are emigrating you need to be certain you are supported in every way and not just securing a visa.

Job Hunting in New Zealand

Our team of employment experts do more than just prepare our clients for employment in New Zealand, we help you secure the best jobs in the New Zealand. We have thousands of links to employers we know and we also have strong relationship to recruitment companies who we have selected to work with our clients to pro-actively find the best employers in New Zealand for our clients. Even before you enter New Zealand, we will be working hard to secure you the best jobs in the New Zealand. We believe it is vital when you are emigrating to New Zealand you have the best support and not just a visa. 

Study in New Zealand

Since 1996 we have helped many people live and work in New Zealand who did not qualify for a working visa or family routes. For many people the fastest and best way to live and work in New Zealand is to secure a course in a college or university there. This allows you not only to work part time but also allows one spouse to work full time without restrictions. Many international students go on to finding employment, securing a work permit, and settling in the New Zealand. Our teams of International Study Experts will assist you find three of the best course to match your budget, previous qualifications and immigration needs. Once we help you select the best course for you we complete all the enrollment processes on your behalf to ensure you secure a place on the course of your choice and then secure your student visa. Our experience has taught us that everyone is different and it is important we can provide immigration solutions for everyone.  

Once we have decided the best route for you and your family we provide support in all other aspects of your relocation.

International Removals

We know just how important it is to have the best services available to ensure a hassle-free relocation. This is why we have hand-selected a panel of international removal companies to assist our clients. Global Visas manages over 20,000 relocations like yours every year. This makes us the biggest contract for any international removal company, so our suppliers are always ready and willing to offer our clients excellent rates and the best service. We work with these companies to safely ship your most treasured possessions around the globe to New Zealand.

Currency Exchange

From selling your home and exchanging money to sending money home on a regular basis, we’re ready to help you. To ensure that you do not lose money simply by changing currencies, it is important you secure the very best exchange rates. We have sourced the best FX companies worldwide and are confident the rates they offer our clients are some of the best available at any time. This means you can save thousands in fees and exchange rates, and you can keep more of your money to spend in New Zealand. We make sure that you save money throughout your immigration so that you arrive at your new home to enjoy a better quality of life.

More than a New Zealand Visa

We have thought of everything to put our clients in the safest hands and provide the softest landing in their new home. As the world’s leader in New Zealand visas, employment, and relocation services, Global Visas is prepared to assist with every aspect of your move to New Zealand. Take the next step today and contact Global Visas by clicking on the link below for your free assessment.

New Zealand Visa

New Zealand Working Visa

There are many different types of visas for New Zealand for those interested in moving to New Zealand for employment. These include temporary work visas, work to residence visas and working holiday visas. An NZ visa for is most commonly given to those who offer a specialist skill or show outstanding talent in their field, (particularly if their skill is related to the arts, culture or sport), and last between nine months and three years. If you wish to stay less than 12 months, (or up to 23 months for some nationalities), a working holiday visa for New Zealand can be obtained for many positions including professional jobs. Take the free assessment to determine your ideal New Zealand visa.

Living in New Zealand permanently

Permanent residence is available for those who have successfully applied for a work to residence visa, have invested a certain amount in the country, or set up their own successful business. A fresh New Zealand visa application is required to apply for residence, as it is not automatically given once you have reached these criteria. For help with your residence visa to New Zealand contact our team today with our free visa assessment.

Student Visa

Study visas are given to students upon acceptance of a place in an academic institution, once they have paid all or part of their tuition fees. A student visa is awarded for a maximum of four years. Find out the full eligibility requirements for study-based New Zealand visas using the free assessment above.

Travel Visa

If you wish to visit the country there different New Zealand visa requirements depending on your nationality and you may not need a visa at all. Find out further information on our New Zealand Immigration page. To see if this applies to you, take our free visa assessment now.

New Zealand Immigration

The assessment evaluates which type of visa you need to emigrate to New Zealand and within 24 hours one of our specialist consultants will call you back with in-house knowledge on your best chance of success.

Below is a summary of the different visa categories available for those who want a New Zealand Visa. For more in-depth knowledge, contact us by taking our free visa assessment now.

Pathways to Immigration to New Zealand

There are three main pathways to obtain permanent immigration in New Zealand: a permanent New Zealand Work Visa, an entrepreneur residence visa and an investor residence visa. For more information see below or take our free assessment.

Working Residence Visa

If you are working in the country and fall into the skilled migrant category, migration to New Zealand on a permanent basis is possible by obtaining a work to residence visa. Residence visas have many advantages such as access to government paid healthcare and universities (without the international student fee) and even the right to vote. Find out if you qualify using the free assessment tool above.

Entrepreneur Residence Visa

If you have successfully set up and operate a business in the country you can migrate to New Zealand permanently by applying for an entrepreneur residence visa. This type of visa gives you all the rights of a working residence visa. In addition, if you meet certain investment levels and created at least three jobs for the country’s citizens then you can fast-track your emigration to New Zealand under an Entrepreneur Plus scheme. Contact Global Visas to start applying today.

Investor Residence Visa

The Investor Visa makes it possible to migrate to New Zealand on a permanent basis if you have made a substantial investment in the country. Emigrating to New Zealand can also be fast-tracked if you increase your investment under an Investor Plus scheme.

New Zealand Work Visa

New Zealand Temporary Work Visas

If you do not wish to settle in the country you can apply for a temporary work permit for New Zealand. This type of visa is broken up into several categories and lasts between nine months and three years. If you have an offer of work, you can apply for an Essential Skills New Zealand work permit, (lasting up to three years), as long as your employers can prove they could not source workers locally. If you are between 20 and 35 and from a skilled profession then you can apply for a Silver Fern Job Search Visa. This working visa for New Zealand entitles the holder to remain living in New Zealand for up to nine months while they are searching for a job. Once they have an offer, the holder can then apply for a working visa for New Zealand which lasts up to two years. Start applying now by taking the free assessment.

Work to Residence Visas

If you want a long-term work permit for New Zealand then you can apply for a work to residence visa which lasts for 30 months, during which you are entitled to apply for a residence visa. This type of work visa for New Zealand is open to those with a job offer from an accredited employer, those working to fill positions where there is a skills shortage or those who offer exceptional arts, culture or sports talent. For help with all types of New Zealand visas contact Global Visas by taking our free visa assessment now.

New Zealand Working Holiday Visas

New Zealand working holiday visas are available for a range of positions and last between 12 and 23 months. Working in New Zealand can be an enormously rewarding experience. Contact our specialist visa team with our free assessment and find out how we can help you. Find out further information on our Silver Fern Visa page.

Silver Fern Visa

Silver Fern Visa New Zealand

To be eligible for Silver Fern Immigration, an applicant must meet the requirements to be classed as a skilled migrant. To do this, they must be between 25 and 55 years old, be in good health, and be considered to be of good character. In addition, they must have good English before they put in your application.

If you fit the criteria, you can make an “Expression of Interest (EOI),” which is your initial application listing your skills, experience and other benefits you feel you would bring to the country. EOIs are assessed under a points system. Those with EOIs above 140 points are automatically accepted for an invitation to apply for the Silver Fern program. Those with EOIs of 100 or above are assessed individually for their desirability.

If you reach the next stage, you are invited to apply for your visa. Here you must prove all of your claims on your EOI form with medical and police certificates, proof of your English skills and documentation showing your qualifications and experience. The final stage of the process is an interview where you must prove that you have a strong desire to settle in the country permanently.

Silver Fern Job Search

Silver Fern Job Search is an initiative whereby those granted a Silver Fern visa can enter the country for up to nine months while they are searching for employment. To be eligible for this New Zealand Work Visa, applicants must be between 25 and 35 and show proof that they have enough funds to support themselves during the stay. The Job Search initiative is limited to just 300 places a year. For more information, or to apply, contact us by taking our free visa assessment.

Find out further information on our Working Holiday Visa page.

Working Holiday Visa for New Zealand

Duration

For most participating countries the working holiday visa for New Zealand is issued for 12 months. However for UK citizens it is issued for 23 months, of which the UK citizen must not work for a period of more than 12 months.

Eligibility Criteria

Country of Citizenship

New Zealand working holiday visa applicants must be from one of the following countries that have exchange program agreements with New Zealand:

• Argentina
• Belgium
• Canada
• Chile
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Hong Kong
• Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• Korea
• Malaysia
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Singapore
• Slovakia 
• Sweden
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Uruguay

Age

New Zealand working holiday visa applicants must be between 18 and 30 years of age.

Children

A New Zealand working holiday visa applicant is not able to bring children with them.

Employment in New Zealand

If considering migration to New Zealand on a New Zealand working holiday visa it should be noted that employment should be for the purpose of supplementing travel while in New Zealand. Those looking to work in New Zealand full time should look at the New Zealand Work Visa and the skilled migrant visa.

New Zealand working holiday visa applicants should not be seeking to undertake permanent employment while on this scheme. For those looking for longer term New Zealand Immigration Global Visas are the World's number one.

Some countries involved in New Zealand's working holiday visa scheme place restrictions on the amount of time that can be spent with one employer. In most instances this is three months, however please contact Global Visas for more details about employment restrictions for New Zealand working holiday visas.

Supporting funds and onward journey:

The amount of supporting funds required in NZ dollars will vary from country to country.

Application Submission

In the majority of circumstances New Zealand working holiday visa applications must be made in the country of origin.

Working holiday visa applications may be made in New Zealand for people applying under Canadian, Dutch, Malaysian, or Singaporean schemes. Find out further information on our Skilled Migrant Visa page.

New Zealand Skilled Migrant Visa

The New Zealand skilled migrant visa class operates on a points system and it may be necessary for the applicant to obtain a job offer from a New Zealand employer in order to be successful.

Duration

There are two ways that an applicant can be eligible for this type of New Zealand visa. The first is via a residence visa or permit and the second is via a work to residence visa or permit which will enable a successful applicant to establish themselves in skilled employment in New Zealand and gain residence.

Eligibility Criteria

Points will be allocated based on the criteria outlined below. If the required points level is achieved, applicants will be eligible to apply.

Age

This New Zealand visa class is designed to attract people considering migration to New Zealand and who are willing to make a long-term contribution to New Zealand.

Consequently more points are allocated for younger people, and people 56 years or older are not eligible to apply 

However people over 56 years of age may be eligible for New Zealand immigration as an investor, or to establish a business, or as a key employee of a relocating business.

Qualifications

New Zealand skilled migrant visa applicants will be judged on their standard of qualification in comparison to New Zealand qualifications.

Additional points may be allocated for study undertaken in New Zealand as well as for study in a shortage area.

Employment

Employment is a critical part of any New Zealand skilled migrant visa application. Applicants will have a better chance of qualifying for a New Zealand Work Visa if they have a relevant job offer.

Skilled employment includes jobs ranging from professional positions to people working in trades. Please note that relevant qualifications or relevant work experience may also be required.

Work Experience

Points will be allocated to skilled migrant visa applicants who have a job offer in New Zealand or work experience that is relevant to their qualification.

The greater the amount of work experience the greater the weighting of points that will be allocated to an application.

Additional points may also be gained for having work experience in New Zealand.

Identified Future Growth Area, Identified Cluster, Area of Absolute Skills Shortage

Bonus points may be allocated to applicants who have either a job offer in New Zealand in one of these areas and/or work experience in one of these fields.

Partner

Points may be allocated for an applicant whose partner has either an offer of employment in New Zealand and/or a relevant qualification.

Region

Additional points may be allocated to an applicant who has a New Zealand job offer outside of Auckland.

Family

Applicants can also be awarded points for having a close family member who is a permanent resident or citizen of New Zealand.

Find out further information on our New Zealand Permanent Residency page.

New Zealand Permanent Residency

One of our most popular services is New Zealand visas, particularly for permanent migration. If you wish to take up New Zealand residence, the most direct pathway is through its Silver Fern program. Silver Fern is initiative whereby, skilled young people who have the intention of settling in New Zealand, can do so if they have professional qualifications considered to be a benefit to the country. Applicants are considered on a points system on what can often be a lengthy and complicated process. For free advice on your Silver Fern application, contact us today by taking our free visa assessment.

Residency in New Zealand

If you are accepted onto the full Silver Fern program you can apply for NZ residency status immediately. If you are provisionally accepted but the government want to see how you settle in, you will be given a work to residence visa whereby you can apply to be a New Zealand permanent resident after an agreed amount of time working. In addition, if you are accepted onto Silver Fern’s sister program Talent Work, reserved mainly for those with occupations in sports or cultural pursuits, you can apply for your New Zealand resident permit after two years. Determine your ideal pathway to permanent immigration to New Zealand using the free assessment.

Other Pathways to a New Zealand Residence Permit

Those who wish to start a business in the country can apply for a New Zealand visa under the Long Term Business program and residence visas under the Entrepreneur and Investor program. In addition, those with family already settled in the country, can apply for residence through one of New Zealand’s many family programs. Find out if you are eligible online today by taking our free visa assessment and within 24 hours one of our specialist advisors will call you back with free advice tailored to your situation.

Contact Global Visas through our free visa assessment and take the first step towards your new life today.  Find out further information on our Long Term Business Visa page.

Investor Visa for New Zealand

People seeking to obtain a New Zealand visa via the investor visa category must have genuine intentions to remain permanently in New Zealand.

Duration

Successful New Zealand investor visa applicants are granted permanent residence in New Zealand.

Eligibility Criteria

Age

New Zealand investor visa applicants must be aged 54 or under when applying for residence in New Zealand under the investor visa category.

Employment/Business Experience

People wanting to migrate to New Zealand under the New Zealand investor visa must be able to show five years of business experience.

This is defined as having either at least a 25 per cent ownership share in a business or management experience.

For the purposes of this visa, management experience means having influence on the strategy, structure or organisation of the business.

Investment Capital

To be eligible for New Zealand residence under this category, applicants need to give NZ$2 million in advance to the New Zealand government for a period of five years.

Intention to Settle

People wanting to emigrate to New Zealand under the investor visa category must be able to demonstrate that they intend, and have the ability, to successfully settle in New Zealand and contribute to New Zealand's economy.

Additional Requirements

In addition to the criteria above, New Zealand investor visa applicants must have a basic standards of English as well as good health and character traits.  Find out further information on our Business page.

Business in New Zealand

New Zealand is a country with an economic outlook, free market philosophy and political stability that is highly geared for success.

The country is a sophisticated, highly technologically aware nation and its people are proven early adopters of a whole range of technologies.

Business structures

There are three main business structures in New Zealand

Sole traders

An individual owns all the assets of the business and is responsible for all of the risk associated with the business.

Partnerships

Partnerships governed by the Partnership Act 1908.

Companies

Companies governed by the Companies Act 1993.

 A company may be incorporated in New Zealand by registering certain documents with the Registrar of Companies and paying a prescribed fee.

Business conduct

Business in New Zealand is controlled by three government agencies:

• The Commerce Commission,
• The Securities Commission and
• the Takeovers Panel.

The Commerce Commission is responsible for making sure businesses adhere to the rules and regulations of the Fair Trading Act 1986, the Commerce Act 1986 and the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993.

Business tax

The tax year for most businesses is April 1 to March 31. An income tax return must be completed each tax year. There are a number of taxes that New Zealand businesses will or may be involved with.

For all of these taxes your business will need to:

• Have an Inland Revenue (IRD) number;
• Complete and send various tax return forms to Inland Revenue each year;
• Make a number of tax payments each year.

Income tax is payable on the net profit from your business, which is the income earned less any business expenses. The resident business tax rate is flat 33%.

Note that income of husbands/wives/partners is treated separately for tax purposes. Goods and services tax (a consumption based tax known as GST) is charged at the rate of 12.5% on all goods and services in New Zealand with a few exceptions including financial services and domestic rents.

Fringe benefit tax is payable on certain items people may receive as part of an employment package (such as subsidised transport and low interest loans). There are also gift and stamp duties, minimal import tariffs and miscellaneous excise duties (for instance on alcohol and tobacco).

There are no capital gains taxes in New Zealand except for some classes of transaction. If your business operates as an employer, you will need to register with the Inland Revenue as an employer and make pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) and other deductions (such as student loan repayments) from your employee's wages each pay day.

Your business will also need to keep wages records, such as a wage book. On a monthly basis your business must notify Inland Revenue of who its employees are, how much they earned and what deductions were made from their wages.

Business tax and IRD numbers

If you already have an IRD number for non-business income and you are a sole trader, you will use the same number for your business.

If you are going to operate your business as a company, partnership or trust, you will need to get a separate IRD number.

Employing staff

Employing staff for your small business carries certain legal responsibilities with respect to your employees.

The Employment Relations Act 2000 is the principal statute regulating employment in New Zealand. There are also a number of other statutes regulating holidays, minimum wages and minimum working conditions for factories.

New Zealand law aims to prevent harm to workers and others in places of work. It does this by setting out the responsibilities of all people involved in the workplace to make sure it is safe.

Employers are responsible for:

• Making sure their employees are safe at work;
• Identifying all hazards in the workplace;
• Eliminating, isolating or minimising their employees' exposure to any hazards;and
• Having procedures for dealing with emergencies at work.

Licences and permits

Some businesses require licenses or permits in order to operate. It is important to have the correct business licences and permits required to legally operate your business.

Business immigration to New Zealand

New Zealand’s business immigration policy aims to attract migrants who will contribute to New Zealand’s economic growth through:

• Increasing New Zealand's level of human capital
• Encouraging enterprise and innovation and
• Fostering external links.

Currently the following business categories are available:

• New Zealand investor visa
• New Zealand long-term business visa 

Find out further information on our New Zealand Student Visa page.

New Zealand Student Visa

If you wish to study for more than three months, you must apply for the appropriate study visa in accordance with New Zealand embassy requirements. These fall into three categories:

Student Visa New Zealand

Student visas for school and college applicants are awarded on acceptance into an academic institution. Their length is dependent on the length of the course, and how many years’ tuition fees you have paid up front. If you are a scholarship student, your visa may be granted for the period of the award. In all cases, a visa is awarded for a maximum of four years. Start your free assessment to see if you can apply.

Exchange Student Visa

If you need an exchange student visa for New Zealand, you must have been accepted into an approved student exchange scheme, and prove that you have onward travel arrangements for when the scheme has finished.

Visas for Accompanying Parents and Guardians

If you have a child under the age of 18 studying in New Zealand you will also need to apply for a guardian visa. To be eligible, your child must have been accepted into an academic institution and have his or her study visa for New Zealand.

How to apply to study in New Zealand

Global Visas handle countless New Zealand visas every year. Start your application today with our free assessment, and within 24 hours you’ll receive a call from one of our experts to help you find a student visa for New Zealand that fits your requirements. Find out further information on our Partner Visa page. Click below to apply for your study visa today!