Work while studying
Under present immigration regulations international students on long term student permits are entitled to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and 40 hours during the summer break.

International students may be eligible to work up to 20 hours per week if they are:

Students must not undertake employment in New Zealand until they have permission from the New Zealand Immigration Service. This permission stating rights to work is automatically printed on student visa label provided the student applies for variation of conditions to student permit while visa application.

Work Permits for Partners of International Students
The partners of postgraduate students may apply for a work permit valid for the same period of time as their partner’s student permit. If your partner is interested in working they should approach the New Zealand Immigration Service and make an application.

Work after graduation
International students who have graduated with a NZ qualification are now eligible to apply for the Graduate Job Search Work Permit. This one year permit/visa allows International Graduates to work for any employer in New Zealand.

If during the one year period, students find employment relevant to the qualification studied, they may then apply to New Zealand Immigration to have the work permit/visa extended for up to 2 years.

To be eligible to apply for the Graduate Job Search Work Permit, students should have successfully completed, in New Zealand, a qualification that would gain points under New Zealand Immigration Skilled Migrant Category.

Student summer jobs

As if working hard during the school, university or polytechnic year is not enough work, many students work over the summer holiday period. Summer jobs for students can be skilled, with a focus on your area of study, or unskilled, giving your brain a rest between one semester and the next. Whether you are looking for some extra cash for the year ahead, a step along the way towards your perfect career, or a course-related job, there will be summer work to suit.

If you are a student looking for a cool summer job, try:

Seasonal work

If you want to enjoy the great outdoors while working in New Zealand, there are seasonal summer jobs that will let you do just that. Seasonal jobs provide the ultimate working holiday experience, with flexibility, great locations and the chance to meet other travelers or seasonal workers. Much seasonal summer work is available through New Zealand thriving horticultural sector picking, grading and packing fruits and vegetables in the Nelson, Marlborough, Otago, Hawkes Bay and Bay of Plenty regions. There is also a demand over the busy summer months for workers in the hospitality and tourism industries, at cafes, restaurants, bars, tour companies and retail outlets.

For seasonal jobs over the summer months, try:

Find other fruit picking jobs, hospitality jobs and summer work and seasonal jobs in New Zealand.

Paying Income Tax
Before you start work, you need an IRD (Inland Revenue Department) number. It normally takes 8-10 days to process your application.

As soon as students receive income from your part-time job or from other New Zealand income sources, they are legally obliged to pay tax to the government. This is usually automatically deducted from the wages by the employer. The tax deducted may vary from 15 cents to 39 cents per dollar, depending on the earnings. However, this deduction can go up to a high, non-declaration rate of 45 cents per dollar if the student does not fill a Tax Code Declaration Form given by the employer at the beginning of work.

If students work only for part of the year, they are probably entitled to a tax refund. To check the eligibility for a refund, students have to contact the IRD for a personal tax summary.