See what you need to do to live and work in New Zealand as a teacher
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Last updated 1 July 2024
Once you have decided to live and work in New Zealand as a teacher, there are a number of important things you must do, and should know, when making the move. Read this page for more information. You can also view and download the guide and the checklist for overseas teachers moving to New Zealand in the popular resources section of this page.
There are a few things you can do before you arrive in New Zealand, including applying for a New Zealand bank account and an IRD (tax identification) number. You can find some practical tips on the New Zealand immigration website.
Your overseas teaching qualification needs to be approved and recognised by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). Check to see if your overseas teaching qualification has already been approved by NZQA.
Even if your qualification is on the pre-approved list of qualifications, you may need to complete an international qualifications assessment (IQA). The list was refreshed on 1 July 2024.
An International Qualifications Assessment (IQA) will be needed to show your qualification is comparable to a New Zealand ITE qualification. Your qualification will be assessed as quickly as possible if you provide verified qualification documents.
There are language competency requirements you need to meet before you register as a teacher in New Zealand. Check to see if you meet the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand’s language competency requirements.
To enter the teaching profession in New Zealand you need to register as a teacher and apply for a practising certificate with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Please note, if you have received an employment offer to teach at a New Zealand school, kura or early childhood centre, let the Teaching Council know. It is a priority to get teachers registered and certified when they have a definite job offer.
There is currently high demand for teachers in New Zealand, including:
secondary school teachers for subjects including sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics
teachers in remote or rural regions
teachers of te reo Māori and teachers in Kaupapa Māori/Māori-medium settings
relief teachers.
You can learn more about teaching opportunities across New Zealand on the Education Gazette.
You may also want to use a recruitment agency to help you in your search for finding a job.
Jobs for partners and family
If your partner or children want to look for roles, the careers.govt.nz job vacancy and recruitment webpage has an list of job sites in the geographical and work areas available.
To live and work in New Zealand, you must have a valid work visa. You must apply for your visa through Immigration NZ.
From 1 May 2024, secondary school teachers from overseas are eligible for the ‘Straight to Residence Visa’ to help address the pressure on teacher supply in secondary schools.
For pay purposes, you and your school will need to complete your salary assessment with Education Payroll. This includes providing recognition of relevant work from your previous educational employers.
Professional learning & development and mentorship
Teaching in a different education system means you will have a lot to learn about how the system works. There will also be cultural differences to understand, such as the Māori practices and language that we use in schools and kura. That’s why we offer to help you make a smooth transition to teaching in New Zealand.
Professional learning and development is important as it enables you to grow and thrive. From 2024, Tātai Aho Rau Core Education is providing professional development support for beginning teachers, including overseas-trained teachers with provisional certification. Go to the Tātai Aho Rau Core Education website for more information on this programme. You can also find useful information on our PLD site.
When you first move here, you will be allocated a mentor to support you during your transition to our system. Depending on your teaching area you will get a time allowance of 10 weeks for primary, intermediate and special schools, while composite (years 7-10) and secondary schools will get 20 weeks.
