Why you should work in Wellington

It’s people who make a city, and Wellington is home to people from all walks of life, people who are following their dreams, at their own pace, backed by a community to support and drive them, and opportunities to grow.

Wellington offers genuine pathways to success and stimulation, alongside world-class culture, hospitality, events and nature. New Zealand’s cultural and creative capital is a place of opportunity and a place where everyone belongs.

Before you make the move to Wellington, take a look at this basic checklist and do some homework to alleviate any stress and hassles. The New Zealand Immigration website is jam-packed with useful information to help get you settled as well,

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The capital is a connected and collaborative place to live a life of ease and balance, a city — and region — where you can truly have it all.

The city’s creative spirit fosters innovation and success, attracting different people for many individual reasons.

From the creatively inclined to culinary leaders, tech enthusiasts, filmmakers, game developers, beer brewers, academics, and social entrepreneurs, in Wellington you can be yourself. Reach great heights in different industries, locally and globally, in your own way, at your own speed.

And it doesn’t have to mean spending 40 hours a week behind a desk. Flexible hours, state-of-the-art offices, and social work cultures mean going to work becomes less of a chore and more of a fun way to spend your day.

Career opportunities are in abundance in a city that prides itself on trying something new. Wellington offers thousands of exciting possibilities regardless of your background, with career pathways, internships, and graduate programmes to help you propel your career.

The capital has many strong industries: tech/fintech, gaming, screen, food and beverage, and hospitality in particular. Wellington is home to New Zealand’s public sector, which makes up 17% of the city’s workforce. Wellington also boasts world-class education institutes, creators of Hollywood blockbuster films, and a flourishing information and technology industry.

Wellington truly is a place where start-up companies thrive, wild ideas are encouraged, and business ventures can get off the ground.

Like most cities with growing economies, Wellington has a range of job opportunities, particularly in up-and-coming industries. High-priority areas include ICT, engineering, business and finance, health, and construction.

About 81% of people in Wellington have a formal qualification, and 33% hold a tertiary qualification or equivalent — compared with 25% of New Zealand as a whole (Statistics New Zealand, 2018).

The average Wellington household income sits at NZD$120,451, with the mean individual annual earnings at NZD$72,113. The creative thinking of Wellington’s business leaders complemented by the talented people they recruit means Wellington boasts New Zealand’s most educated and highest-paid workforce.

Wellington may be small but there’s a lot going on. New Zealand’s government buildings and most ministerial offices are based in the city and surrounding suburbs, giving businesses access to top policy- and decision-makers.

Wellington has quickly become known as the country’s high-tech capital and is a hub for digital and technology start-ups. The city is also at the forefront of ground-breaking research and development, with many of New Zealand’s key national research institutes basing themselves in the region.

The capital’s thriving film and gaming scenes have produced some of New Zealand’s best-known actors, performers, and industry professionals. In 2019, Wellington became a UNESCO City of Film.

Wellington may sit at the edge of the world but is a place where start-up companies can flourish, individuals can tap into opportunities, and companies can compete on the world stage.

Considered to be New Zealand’s creative capital, Wellington is fuelled by creative energy and is full of world leaders and game-changers.

Wellington has a thriving art and cultural scene, known for supporting and encouraging creativity across all industries, and a creative approach to getting things done. It allows big aspirations and career goals to come to life alongside thriving ideas and new ways of thinking.

Boosted by funders and incubators like Creative HQ and Callaghan Innovation, Wellington is a region that builds up creative thinkers with wild ideas. It’s no wonder thousands of world-class entrepreneurs, collaborators, thought-leaders, artists, performers, and creators of all types have made a niche for themselves in the capital.

Use the Skills Shortage lists to see if your skills are in demand in New Zealand. It means if you’re offered a job that’s on one of the lists, and you’ve got the qualifications and experience to match, getting a work or residence visa could be easier.