The 10 most in-demand jobs in New Zealand
Current unemployment rate is 4.6% and inflation rate is 1.60%
The twin-island country, New Zealand is known for its natural beauty and landscape. New Zealanders make around 45,000 annually. Apart from medicos, there are also other high-paying jobs in New Zealand. We have rounded up the list of those jobs for you.
- Information Architects
Training needed: Minimum bachelor’s degree in computer science or computer engineering. A master’s degree is preferred with several years of work experience.
Job outlook: Information architects are chiefly responsible for directing, planning, organizing, evaluating and controlling the operations of information systems and electronic data processing (EDP). They meet with clients to discuss the timelines, system requirements, costs and specifications. New Zealand hosts medium- and large-sized IT companies which cater their services to businesses within New Zealand and also export to Australian businesses and elsewhere.
Median salary: $135,000
2. Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence
Training needed: Minimum bachelor’s degree in computer science or computer engineering. A master’s degree is preferred with several years of work experience.
Job outlook: Data mining and business analytics are useful tools to aide business services in this modern era. A better understanding of data and business analytics plays a vital role in the growth of large corporations. Companies are always on the lookout of IT specialists that possess the skills of data modeling and database design.
Median salary: $115,000
3. Cybersecurity Specialists
Training needed: Minimum bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer systems, information technology, engineering or a related discipline
Job outlook: According to the Investing News Network (INN), “together, the expanding number of cyber-attacks, the increasing severity of these assaults and the amount of money companies are spending on cyber security illustrate why it is such an important market.” Computer geeks with the concentration of cyber security and ethical hacking courses are generally suitable for these jobs. Their job is to protect the company’s data and other vital information from being breached. Looking at the recent WannaCry attacks in May 2017 which affected more than 300,000 computers worldwide, the significance of this role has increased dramatically.
Median salary: $105,000
4. Construction Project and Contract Management
Training needed: Minimum bachelors or diploma degree in civil engineering. A master’s degree in project management is usually required
Job outlook: For any construction projects to succeed, the budget and timeline are key points. Some companies have multiple projects working concurrently, and it is hard for them to keep track on these underlying factors. Project managers are responsible for delivering their entire projects on time and on budget. It is relatively a new concept wherein the skills of technical and managing the project are given priority. In a country like New Zealand, we expect more development in infrastructure and private construction activities. This business impetus derived from both the government and the private sector could increase the demand of such professionals in the years to come.
Median salary: $105,000
5. IT sales
Training needed: Minimum diploma or bachelor’s degree in business administration or in a related field. Candidates with the IT background academically or practically are preferred.
Job outlook: if you think you are good at convincing clients to buy the product that you sell, IT sales could also be a right avenue for you to get on the board. IT sales professionals mainly sell hardware or software products to their clients. Be it a small or large business, owners believe in having the automated operations and try to use the maximum technology.
Median salary: $105,000
6. Mine/quarrying managers
Training needed: Generally speaking, extensive quarrying or mining experience is a must. You also need to obtain an Extractives Certificate of Competence from WorkSafe New Zealand
Job outlook: Mine and quarry managers are responsible for all activities on a work site. This includes coordinating production, monitoring site systems and managing staff.
Salary range: $100,000 – $ 155,000
Source: Leitch Chris, “Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in New Zealand.” Career addict
7. Finance managers and controllers
Training needed: Minimum bachelor’s degree in business administration, economics, commerce or a related field is required. Some positions may require a master’s degree with finance concentration.
Job outlook: There are openings for this role in all sized corporations. If you are passionate about numbers and overseeing the company’s financial health, get on the board and take your company ahead of others.
Median salary: $100,000
8. Database experts
Training needed: Minimum bachelor or diploma degree in computer science or in mathematics.
Job outlook: Currently data is equated with the traditional commodities such as crude oil or gold. Some might think that it is an utter disconnect to this comparison. But, no; it is true. Companies have multiple departments filled with a variety of information stored in a database bank. In some cases, data is an asset and at the same it is the duty of a company to protect the confidentiality of clients’ data. Here comes the important role of data administrator or any designation suffix you name after data/base. There are IT companies to which the data storing job is also outsourced. Looking at the current labor market of New Zealand, we believe the demand for this occupation will remain stable for the years to come.
Median salary: $95,000
9. In-house legal counsel
Training needed: A bachelor’s degree in law along with the registration and experience of years.
Job outlook: Whether there is a reasonable or frivolous lawsuit looming over the company, the legal department swings into action to counter the allegations or fight the right on behalf of his client. However, some issues/legal matters merit the reconciliation by means of the out-of-court settlement as no company is interested in investing its resources in a long-winded process of cases. To streamline various legal matters for interior or exterior issues, in-house legal counsel makes more sense. With the inevitable business growth of some companies, in-house legal counsel costs lesser than retaining a full-fledged senior counsel from the market.
Median salary: $95,000
10. Quantity surveying
Training needed: Minimum bachelor or diploma degree in engineering or a related field. Usually it is one of the branches of project management also.
Job outlook: Another respectable and sought-after techno job! This occupation saves a lot of money and time for construction companies. The job duties include preparing the complete feasibility studies to estimate labor costs, time and materials. Furthermore, quantity surveyors are also responsible for analyzing, negotiating and preparing contracts and bidding.
Median salary: $95,000