About the Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Industry in New Zealand
The tourism and hospitality sector is currently New Zealand’s second largest export earner, providing nearly 17.1% of total export revenues and impacting a range of sectors besides hospitality.
Visitors to New Zealand spent $10 billion for the year ending December 2016, with numbers only expected to increase. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) expects this number to reach almost $15 billion by 2024. Overseas visitor numbers, which topped 3.7 million in the year ending January 2018 (up 5% on the previous year), have doubled every decade since 1970. MBIE predicts that numbers will rise to 5.1 million by 2024.
Demand for Professionals in Hospitality, Travel and Tourism
New Zealand attracts visitors from a diverse range of countries and backgrounds, and it’s important to make everybody feel welcome.
Our top 10 tourism markets are:
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Australia
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China
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USA
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UK
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Germany
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Japan
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South Korea
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Canada
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Singapore
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India
Each of these groups have their own characteristics and expectations. To meet their demands, the industry has had to lift its game and work at truly international standards, in the process creating great opportunities for its employees.
Demand for workers is expected to stay high, driven particularly by growth in overseas tourist numbers. Tourism spending is forecast to grow to 15.3 billion in 2023 while visitor numbers will increase by 39%. That will equate to over 4.9 million visitors a year - each one of them needing tourism and hospitality workers to cater to their needs.
Locations with the Highest Demand for Hospitality, Tourism and Travel Professionals
The biggest concentrations of jobs in tourism and hospitality are, naturally, in the top tourist destinations:
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Auckland
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Queenstown
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Canterbury/Christchurch
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Rotorua/Bay of Plenty
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Wellington.
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However, tourism and hospitality jobs can be found almost everywhere.
Demand for tourism workers is highest in summer, which is when a third of international visitors choose to visit. About 20% of overseas visitors arrive in winter. Some tourism jobs are specific to different seasons, so job opportunities may be available for part of the year only. For example, kayaking guides are needed only in summer, while workers in snow sports, such as ski instructors, are needed in winter.
For Visa Applicants: Roles on the Skills Shortages List
If you are offered a job which appears on the list below, and you have the qualifications and experience to match, getting a work visa will be easier. This is because the government has identified that employers need to recruit people from overseas to help meet demand for your skills.
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Chef (Chef de Partie or higher)
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Outdoor Adventure Guide (Skydive Tandem Master)
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Snowsport Instructor
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Snowsport Instructor (including Technicians)
Featured Jobs
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Front of house & Kitchenhand
City:
Otago / Southland
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
19/01/2026
Temporary FOH & Kitchenhand Staff - Start ASAP!
We're looking for energetic, reliable Front of House and Kitchenhand superstars to jump into temporary roles starting immediately.
What's on offer:
Flexible temporary shifts
Competitive hourly rates + 8% Holiday pay
Fun, supportive team environments
Great way to gain experience quickly
What you'll be doing:
Serving customers with a friendly, professional attitude
Assisting in food prep and basic kitchen duties
Keeping service areas clean
Class 4 Driver
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
Extrastaff are looking for a Class 4 Civil Drivers with a proven track record in navigating construction sites. You might be driving tipper trucks, loaders, water carts or rollers! If you don't mind rolling up your sleeves and working with the crew on the ground then this is a role that has it all!
What's In It For You:
Work for a reputable company.
Opportunity for temp to perm placement.
Variety of work
Opportunity to learn new skills
Excellent team environment.
Variety of projects acros
Builder / Handyman
City:
Bay of Plenty
Job Type:
Casual / Temporary / Contract
Date:
19/01/2026
Builder / Handyman - Tauranga
Full-time | Hands-on | Varied work
Love working with your hands and take pride in a job well done? OneStaff Tauranga is looking for reliable, skilled builders, handypeople, and tradies to join local teams across construction and property maintenance.
What you'll do:
Assemble small structures and portable buildings
Handle general repairs, property maintenance, and minor renovations
Use hand and power tools with precision
Follow plans or job instructions
Work
Multi skilled handyman
City:
Christchurch
Job Type:
Permanent / Full Time
Date:
19/01/2026
Extrastaff are currently seeking a highly skilled and motivated individual to join our team as a Multi skilled handyman. This is a full-time position based in Christchurch, New Zealand.
As a Multi skilled handyman, you will be responsible for a wide range of tasks including carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, welding, painting, and general maintenance. You will work closely with our team of professionals to ensure that all repairs and maintenance work is completed to the highest standard.
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