GROW YOUR CAREER

We push our export customers to aim high and we do the same with our people. If you're prepared to develop, we can offer ways to help you grow.

We offer extensive in-house training and tools focused on the capabilities you need to be successful in your role. We also support external training if it’s right for your role and future aspirations.

We support international and local secondment opportunities, contribute to study fees and offer time off for assignments and exams.

We recognise the importance of whānau and the various caring responsibilities our people have. That’s why we’re flexible by default.

This might include working remotely, shifting the hours you work, or taking leave for big life events or career development.

Our approach to flexibility is simple: it has to work for you, your team, and for NZTE. And, while leave legislation varies by country, we aim to go beyond the minimum where we can.

For our New Zealand-based team, we offer 5 weeks' annual leave, 10 days' sick/wellbeing leave (which can be rolled over, up to 20 days), and 10 days' domestic violence leave.

Globally, for all new parents (primary and secondary carers) we offer an additional 6 weeks' Flexible Parents Leave, valid for use over 2 years.

In addition, NZTE pays any annual leave you've accrued while you were on parental leave at your regular NZTE salary level.

We take a holistic approach to wellbeing, recognising that everyone’s needs are different and change over time. Flexible working is a key part of this, whether that means working from home, adjusting your hours or location, or having supported and flexible return‑to‑work options following parental leave.

We also place a strong emphasis on health and wellbeing support. Our programmes include access to a dedicated mental health hub, providing tools and guidance to help manage change, stress and trauma, and to support the wellbeing of others.

Our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is available to all employees and extends to immediate whānau members, with up to 6 confidential counselling sessions per year. We also provide practical health supports such as free annual flu vaccinations, access to our group medical discount scheme with Southern Cross Healthcare, and corporate discounts at local gyms where available through via our local offices.

We want everyone to feel safe, welcomed, valued and heard at NZTE. We do this by celebrating the diversity and talent of our people, and by nurturing an environment that supports them to thrive. It's about manaaki.

We're proud to have won the Leadership Award (Medium-Large Organisation) at the Diversity Awards NZ. We were also the first in the Champions for Change group of organisations to reach the milestone of gender balance at all levels of leadership: at least 40% women, 40% men, and 20% of any gender.

Any of our people who whakapapa Māori and/or have direct responsibility to grow our Māori customers are invited to join Te Pora Māori. The kaupapa of this group is to be an internal voice on Māori partnership, to grow our Māori capability and leadership, and to offer whakawhanaungatanga.

To build whanaungatanga (a sense of belonging), NZTE invites new joiners to Kia Kaha, an overnight marae-based induction programme that will enhance your knowledge of your organisation, your colleagues and yourself.

In addition to our wellbeing, development and flexibility offerings, we provide a range of practical benefits to support our people at work and beyond. For our New Zealand people, this includes KiwiSaver employer contribution matching up to 3.5%.

We ensure you have the tools you need to do your job well, including a Microsoft Surface laptop, and an iPhone if required to support the needs of your role.

We’re also deeply committed to environmental sustainability, with carbon reduction targets and waste audits across our major offices. We have a growing community of employees who are actively generating ideas and leading initiatives to reduce our impact and support a more sustainable future.

It can be deeply rewarding to work for a purpose-driven organisation where the focus is on what's truly good for New Zealand, rather than the bottom line.

Occasionally we have internships available. When we do, they are published in our job listings. NZTE also participates in other internship programmes, like Summer of Tech and First Foundation.

We aim to respond to your application within two weeks of its closing date (be sure to check when the ad closes). We know it's hard when you are waiting to hear back about a job, so we will try our best to connect as soon as we can.

NZTE doesn't sponsor work visas. When we advertise roles, we always mention which visas are required.

How NZTE uses AI

NZTE may use approved AI tools to help with some parts of our recruitment process. We use AI to take care of administrative tasks, like drafting job ads, preparing interview questions or taking interview notes.

If we use AI during a call or interview, we’ll tell you and ask for your consent.

When we use AI, your personal information is handled by systems that NZTE has tested and approved, in line with our internal policies. We have safeguards in place, and our people remain responsible for how AI is used.

AI does not replace human judgement or make hiring decisions. Any AI‑generated content is reviewed by people before it’s used.

If we use AI to summarise data we do so after decisions have been made to ensure AI is influencing decisions. [?? this sentence is confusing]

NZTE also has governance in place to manage the ethical, privacy, and security aspects of using generative AI, alongside our existing privacy and security controls.

How candidates may use AI

You may choose to use AI tools when preparing your application or getting ready for an interview. We expect candidates to use AI responsibly and openly as a support tool, not a replacement for your own experience, thinking or judgement.

Reasonable use includes using AI to help structure your CV or cover letter, or to research NZTE ahead of an interview.

Unreasonable use includes submitting AI‑generated content without reviewing or editing it, reading directly from AI‑generated answers in an interview, using AI to impersonate you, or using AI to complete tasks or assessments without telling us.

You can reach out to us directly by emailing tas@nzte.govt.nz.

Customer Managers support New Zealand businesses to develop and deliver plans that build their export capability and international growth. They have a good understanding of the complexities of international business, and can help customers to identify areas of opportunity or solutions to specific challenges.

Business Development Managers (known as "Commercial Business Advisors" in Australia) work in our international offices and help New Zealand exporters evaluate market potential, develop go-to-market and in-market strategies, identify and introduce customers to the right in-market partners, and help organise events that support and sustain our customers' international growth plans. They have superb business acumen, strategic thinking and valuable local insights and connections.