Before I start, I just want to say this is my personal opinion—no offence or complaints! I’ve had a great time in New Zealand, and my family loves this country - and me too! But some things surprised me, especially when it comes to work.
A Different Business Culture
One thing I noticed is that many small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in New Zealand prefer to stay stable rather than grow aggressively. In bigger markets, competition pushes companies to expand fast, but in NZ, many businesses focus more on maintaining what they have.
This also affects hiring. Instead of looking for fresh ideas or diversity, companies often prefer people who fit in culturally and feel familiar. It’s not a bad thing, just different from what I expected.
New Zealand Is Not a Startup Country
New Zealand is beautiful, but it’s not really known for startups. People here are more cautious and don’t follow the “fail fast, fail often” approach like in the US or Europe. Here’s why:
Small Market
- With only about 5 million people, NZ is much smaller than places like the US or Australia. A small market means fewer customers and fewer chances for a startup to grow quickly. It’s a great place to test ideas, but not always the best for scaling a global company.
Geographical Isolation
- NZ is far from major business hubs like Silicon Valley, London or Asia. This makes it harder for startups to build international networks, attract investors, or bring in top talent.
Risk Aversion
In some countries, failure is seen as a learning experience. But in NZ, people tend to be more careful. Many prefer stable jobs over risky startup adventures, which can make it harder for new businesses to take off.
Limited Venture Capital
There are investors in NZ, but not as many as in bigger startup ecosystems. Without substantial financial backing, many startups struggle to grow and have to rely on bootstrapping
Job Applications in New Zealand
Another thing that surprised me is the job application process. Compared to other places, it feels slow and less transparent. One big difference is the cover letter requirement.
In many countries, cover letters are becoming less important. But in NZ, they are still a big deal! Employers see them as a way to understand your personality and communication skills. It makes sense, but it also feels like an extra step when you’re already trying to stand out in a competitive job market.
Also, the hiring process can take a long time, and sometimes there’s little feedback. In fast-moving job markets, you usually get quick updates or interviews lined up within days. Here, it can take weeks or even months. It’s something that takes patience!
Dependence on Key Persons
Another work habit I noticed in NZ is the strong reliance on key persons in a company. Of course, key people are important—they make big decisions for the team. But in some companies, if that person is on leave (sick or on holiday), the rest of the team or even the bosses will wait until they return instead of moving forward.
This is not a good habit. A key person should prepare a good plan to cover their responsibilities before going on leave, and in urgent cases, the company should have a way to reach them. Also, companies should develop more people to take on key roles. When I was in Asia, my boss used to say, “In a company, everyone should be replaceable.”
Final Thoughts
New Zealand is a fantastic place to live, and I’ve had a great experience here. But work culture, startups, and job applications are quite different from what I was used to. Of course, this is my personal view, and everyone’s experience is unique.
I’d love to hear what others think! Have you had similar experiences in NZ, or do you see things differently? Let’s chat!