NEW ZEALAND FACTS

• Capital City: Wellington
• Population: 4.5 million (newzealand.govt.nz)
• Government: Unitary parliamentary democracy, constitutional monarchy
• Currency: New Zealand Dollar ($, NZD)
• Main Languages: English, Maori, New Zealand Sign Language
• Main Religions: Christianity, although atheism & agnosticism are also prevalent

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EDUCATION SYSTEM

New Zealand's education system has three levels - primary, secondary and tertiary (higher) education. Although private options are available, primary and secondary education is predominantly funded by the state. School is compulsory from the ages of 5 to 16, but most students continue for at least another two years after this. Depending on the type of state school, parents may be asked for voluntary contributions to fund activities beyond those paid for by the government, and some must also pay the compulsory 'attendance dues'.

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COST OF LIVING

Some new migrants find that the cost of living in New Zealand is higher than anticipated.
Overall costs are relatively low, but salaries for some professions may be less than in other countries.
Whilelocally sourced goods are fairly cheap, imported items can be expensive.
The cost of living also tends to be higher in the north, with Auckland considered the most expensive place to live.

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TRAVEL

The motorways and main roads in New Zealand are generally of a high standard.
However, the country's stunning natural landscape has resulted in some challenging driving routes elsewhere, with bridges, tunnels and narrow winding roads all common outside the main city routes.
Combined with the changeable and sometimes extreme weather conditions, these routes require drivers to be alert and vigilant, so always check conditions before travelling.

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WORKING PRACTICES

The work week in New Zealand is typically 40 hours spread over 5 days, although reasonable overtime is permitted.
There are no standard hours, but most businesses work Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm with a lunch break of 30 to 60 minutes.
Work/life balance is considered important and anyone can ask their employer for flexible working arrangements with the expectation that their request will at least be considered.

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BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

Although there are large corporate organisations operating in New Zealand, it has a larger proportion of small businesses than in many developed countries.
This means that organisational structure tends to be quite flat, with managers and employees collaborating closely to foster a real team-orientated environment. Smaller businesses also tend to mean broader roles for workers, giving the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills and really influence the success of the business.

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