A free, ATS-friendly NZ CV builder for the kiwi job market — 2–3 pages, achievement-focused, with the right balance of detail and Antipodean directness used by Xero, ANZ NZ, Fonterra, and the NZ public service.
A New Zealand CV is similar to the Australian style but slightly shorter — typically 2–3 pages. NZ recruiters value clarity, modesty, and a personable tone over flashy self-promotion. Achievements with numbers are essential, but the overall vibe is grounded and professional.
Like Australia and the UK, no photos, no personal data, and referees are usually listed at the bottom of the CV. For visa holders, work eligibility (Resident Visa, Work Visa, Working Holiday) should be stated upfront — kiwi employers want to know on page one.
Use our free builder to create an NZ-style CV with the right tone, structure, and ATS-friendly formatting that recruiters across Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch expect.
Six rules every New Zealand cv must follow.
Standard NZ CV length. Up to 4 pages for senior leadership or academic roles.
British-style spelling: "organisation", "realise", "colour". Set spellcheck to en-NZ.
NZ Human Rights Act discourages photos, age, marital status, religion, sexual orientation.
Quantify wins using NZ$ and percentages — "reduced churn 22%", "saved NZ$340K".
"March 2020 – June 2023". Written out, not numerical.
If not a citizen — state your visa type and duration on page 1.
The exact structure recruiters in New Zealand expect.
Name, suburb + city, mobile (NZ format), email, LinkedIn URL, visa status if applicable.
3–5 sentences: experience, specialty, top wins, what you're seeking.
8–12 keyword-rich skills relevant to the target role.
Reverse chronological. Employer, role, location, dates, 4–6 achievement bullets.
Degree, university, year. Include NZQA-equivalent for foreign credentials.
CA ANZ, IPENZ/Engineering NZ, NZ Law Society, NZ Nursing Council.
Valued in NZ — adds character and "kiwi fit".
Two professional referees — name, title, organisation, phone, email.
Quick reference of country-specific rules.
| Length | 2–3 pages standard |
| Photo | Never |
| Spelling | NZ English (British-style) |
| Visa Status | State upfront if you're not an NZ citizen |
| Tone | Modest, achievement-focused, friendly |
| Referees | On the CV — 2 professional referees |
| NZQA Assessment | Required for many regulated professions if studied overseas |
| Volunteer Work | Genuinely valued — adds 'kiwi fit' |
| Cover Letter | Always expected — 1 page |
Copy-ready opening lines and impact statements.
Two to three pages is standard. Up to four pages is acceptable for senior leadership, academic, or government roles. Aim for substance, not length.
Yes — usually 2 professional referees at the bottom with their name, title, organisation, phone, and email. Confirm permission first.
Yes, if you're not a New Zealand citizen. State "NZ Citizen", "NZ Resident", "Work Visa (Type)", or "Working Holiday Visa" right under your contact details.
Yes for many regulated professions (engineering, nursing, teaching, law). NZQA (NZ Qualifications Authority) provides credential equivalency assessments — list the result on your CV.
Confident but modest. Quantify wins, but skip the over-the-top US-style self-promotion. New Zealanders value humility paired with competence — "strong contributor" lands better than "results-driven rockstar".
Yes — it's genuinely valued in NZ. Volunteer roles, sports clubs, marae involvement, or community boards all add character and signal cultural fit.
Yes — almost always. NZ employers expect a 1-page cover letter explaining motivation and fit. Make it conversational and specific to the role.
Never. NZ Human Rights Act discourages it, and most recruiters will discard CVs with photos.
Applying internationally? Each country has unique resume conventions — pick the right format for your destination.
ATS-friendly format for Aussie recruiters
Bilingual-ready, no photo, achievement-focused
Tabellarisch format with photo & signature
Photo, nationality, visa status included
2-page format, personal statement, hobbies
1-page, no photo, achievement bullets
Pick a New Zealand-friendly template, fill in your details, download a polished PDF in minutes — completely free.
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