July 26, 2018

Top cities for IT jobs In New Zealand

6 min read

If you’re an IT professional, New Zealand is the land of opportunity. In 2017 alone there were over 14,000 IT jobs created, exemplifying the need for people skilled in IT.

In fact, the New Zealand tech industry has been growing so fast that employers are struggling to find people with the right skills to fill the roles. This spike in demand is leading to an increase in salaries for IT jobs as the search for talented IT professionals gets even harder – so it’s an excellent time to be looking for IT jobs in New Zealand.

If you’re skilled in IT and considering a change in scenery, these cities should be high on your list:

IT Jobs In Auckland

Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city and home to diverse cultural environments and innovation. Ranking as one of the world’s most liveable cities, the city has a little something for everyone. Boasting world recognised eateries and bars, frequent shows and cultural events – Auckland will never leave you bored. If you’re after a slower pace, Auckland’s proximity to the countryside offers lifestyle living and a beautiful commute to work.

Auckland’s tech sector is one of the fastest growing in New Zealand. Auckland houses 20% of the highest revenue-generating tech export businesses, which shows that the sector is thriving and there is an abundance of IT jobs available.

The IT sector is fuelled by collaboration and knowledge sharing through successful programmes such as the GridAKL Innovation Precinct and the AR/VR which help ensure that IT professionals are up to date with global trends.

Auckland’s employed tech professionals also see the region as a great place to work, with 87% of IT professionals rating their current workplace highly offering flexible working conditions, career development and additional non-financial benefits. It also has some of the highest salaries in the country with an average median wage of $93,000 (4% higher than the national average).

So, what kind of IT skills are in demand in Auckland? Project managers are at the top of the list. A huge increase in the number of IT projects across the region means there is high demand for this skill set. Software development, digital skills and network infrastructure skills are also in high demand.

IT Jobs In Wellington

Nestled between rolling green hills and the Cook Strait lies Wellington, New Zealand’s capital. The city may be small in size, but it makes up for it in talent and influence.

Wellington is a foodie’s paradise, with more bars and restaurants per square kilometre than New York, and a lively entertainment and arts scene. You’ll get lost exploring the city’s laneways, chock full of cafes and retail spots, while also being in close proximity to staggeringly beautiful nature walks and cycle tracks.

Wellington is also emerging as New Zealand’s tech capital, having the highest concentration of digital tech and web-based companies in New Zealand. There’s not just quantity, but quality too, with the region producing a plethora of start-up success stories such as accounting software provider Xero and holographic technology start-up 8i. Wellington’s thriving film industry has also helped to grow the region’s tech capacity and startup incubators such as Creative HQ help to nurture up-and-coming tech talent.

With tech companies thriving in the region, tech talent in Wellington is in high demand – and they’re being paid well too. Wellington boasts the highest median wage for IT professionals at $95,000, and a generous contractor median rate of $100/hour.

It’s not just about the money though, it’s about the work environment as well. Wellington tech workers cite flexible work hours, health benefits and mobile phone allowances as some of the reasons they love working in Wellington. Plus, Wellington’s mix of government, research and start-ups allows for a great work fit for everyone.

Given the large number of new projects and digital transformation requirements, project management skills are cited as the most sought-after IT job skills needed right now. Agile and digital skills are also top of the list for Wellington IT employers, with the demand for skills outpacing the skill set available in the region.

IT Jobs Christchurch

Christchurch is a vibrant, energetic city and an adventure lover’s dream. Located in the middle of New Zealand’s south island, Christchurch is the gateway to some of New Zealand’s most Instagrammable spots. Within just a two hour drive you’ll be able to indulge in snow sports at one of the many snow-capped mountains in the region, catch a glimpse of whales, dolphins and seals, and visit one of the area’s delightful vineyards. Within the city itself you can get amongst their hip cafe and bar scene, shop until you drop or watch a show at the city’s arena.

In 2010, Christchurch was hit with a large earthquake that damaged a lot of the inner city and surrounds. Since then a $40 billion revitalisation project has brought the city back to life with significant work going into building revitalised public spaces.

Of particular interest to tech workers in the city’s investment in a thriving Innovation Precinct – a space dedicated to tech firms, innovators and entrepreneurs looking to build their business and community. The area is home to tech businesses such as Vodafone, as well as small startups, which fosters collaboration and idea sharing across a variety of different business types.

Christchurch’s economy is thriving and the second largest for technology businesses, with some of New Zealand’s most innovative software, hardware and electronics businesses calling the city home. The region is also well known for its food production, so there is the opportunity to contribute to some of the most cutting-edge agritech projects in Asia-Pacific.

Given that Christchurch has many software development companies, software, developers are in high demand. Software developers won’t have to look far for an interesting gig in the area, with plenty of businesses eager to find the right people with the right IT skills for the job. Business development and cloud skills are also high on Christchurch employer wish lists.

Other places to keep in mind

IT Jobs in Hamilton

Hamilton, the largest city in Waikato, has been New Zealand’s hub for dairy farming and agricultural for many years. It has a reputation as the innovation centre for the Waikato region with strength in utilities, manufacturing, ICT and agritech. The region is also seeing a lot of growth and employment in the health & education, and finance and business sectors which is in turn leading to an overall uptick in IT jobs in Hamilton. The city is situated halfway between Auckland and Tauranga, providing plenty of excellent road tripping opportunities, while Hamilton itself is home to some of the country’s most beautiful gardens.

IT Jobs in the Bay Of Plenty

The Bay of Plenty’s economy is one of the fastest growing in the country, second only to Auckland. Tauranga in particular, the region’s biggest city, is seeing a huge demand in the construction and healthcare industries due to an increase in population and infrastructure upgrades. Because of this, IT jobs in the Bay of Plenty flourishing, and make a difference in the life of BOP residents. The region is also a wonderful spot lifestyle living and a nature lover’s paradise, with beautiful white sanded beaches and forests aplenty.

Get in touch

Interested in finding out more about the exciting IT jobs available around New Zealand? Check out job openings or get in touch with one of the team for more information.

Absolute IT

April 17, 2018

Contracting: a win-win for IT techs and employers

5 min read

With more and more of us seeking a better work-life balance, an increasing number of people are turning to contracting. Contracting can offer techs the freedom of maintaining a strong career while also choosing their own hours and projects, without sacrificing income. It also enables tech companies to respond quickly to new trends and find the right employees for a specific project.

While striking out as a contractor may seem a little intimidating, the benefits are numerous, especially for those who work in IT. And with more and more tech businesses favouring a fully or partially remote workforce, now is a great time for both IT professionals and companies to consider making the change to contracting.

Why contracting is good for IT professionals

Contracting in tech may is becoming more popular as businesses realise the benefits of hiring a contractor for specific projects. For contractors, this means that there are more opportunities than ever before, and the rewards speak for themselves.

1) Contracting can result in higher pay

One of the biggest benefits of being a contractor is the higher earning potential — doing the same work you would as an employee, but for better pay. As a contractor, you’ll be paid for every hour of work you do, and that rate is usually higher than that of employees working on the same project. And if you have specialist or sought-after skills, you can expect to earn even more, given the demand for what you’re offering. In addition to higher earnings, contractors are also entitled to tax perks, such as being able to claim work-related expenses. And while you will be responsible for your own taxes, there are a number of tax and payroll services that can helpfully explain your obligations, or take the burden off your hands completely.

2) Contracting can give you more flexibility

Not only does contracting in tech allow you to earn a higher hourly rate, but being your own boss gives you a lot of flexibility. The ability to choose your own IT job means that you can plan contracts around other commitments you might have, such as family responsibilities, hobbies or overseas travel. You even have the freedom to choose where you work, whether it’s in the office, from home or even out of a café abroad. This flexibility is also advantageous for those curious to try out contracting in tech, as a short or part-time contract can help you decide if contracting is right for you.

3) Contracting can boost your CV

Aside from the flexibility and monetary rewards that contracting can offer, it’s also a great way to boost your career in IT. This is due to the broad range of experience you pick up with new contracts and each new contract will allow you to grow professionally, whether that’s from gaining new skills or achieving exposure to new technologies. Not to mention that you can focus on aspects of the industry that excite you the most. With the constant development of your skills and network, you’ll be kept abreast of industry trends and your robust, impressive CV will help you secure more contracts.

Why contracting is good for tech employers

Clearly there are benefits to working as a contractor, but there are also many advantages for tech employers. This has become clear to many business owners in the last few years, with more companies choosing to hire contractors for specific projects than ever before.

1) Contractors can be a cheaper investment

While an employee is an individual hired to be part of a company’s workforce and is entitled to benefits such as annual leave, a contractor is self-employed and hired by a company to perform specific services. This makes contractors perfect to hire for one-off projects, whether for a few weeks or for a few months. And because contractors are brought on temporarily to work on one aspect of your business, the hiring process is usually much shorter than when taking on a permanent member of staff. The flexibility of hiring contractors can be particularly helpful for smaller businesses who can’t commit to hiring a full-time team member, or companies who experience busy periods at certain times of the year. Hiring a contractor means they’ll get straight to work, without needing company training or integrating into the company.

2) Contractors can meet an immediate need

Given that contractors are generally hired for specific projects, you’ll be able to find the right person for the job. Rather than hiring an all-rounder to join the team full time, you can hire someone with an extremely specialised or hard to come by skill set to tackle your issue head-on. This is especially beneficial when working on a project that involves new tech or trends that you and your employees may be unfamiliar with. Hiring contractors with particular skills for projects can also help your business gain a new point of view. With a fresh pair of eyes on your business problem, you may discover new ways to tackle it that you had previously never considered.

3) Contractors can help keep overheads low

Along with the ability to respond quickly to new tech, hiring contractors is a great way for a business to keep overheads low. Although contractors are paid more because they’re temporary workers rather than employees, there’s no need for lengthy training periods or to pay for upskilling. Contractors also work with their own equipment, and can usually assist you from any location, meaning businesses don’t need extra office space. Additionally, a company does not need to provide benefits such as holiday pay, sick pay or make KiwiSaver payments. And if you find that a partnership with a contractor isn’t working out, you can end the contract with a shorter notice period and with no reason needed.

If you’re thinking about getting started as a contractor and would like more information about how to go about it, get in touch with us today, submit your CV, or check out our latest IT job listings.

Absolute IT