Country Guides: New Zealand

New Zealand's mythical landscape, used as the backdrop for much of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, imbues an adventure lifestyle of white water rafting, bungee jumping and other adrenaline-inducing activities. Small in size but big on variety, its North Island is home to Volcanoes, sandy beaches and farmland, while the South Island boasts glaciers, fjords and snow-capped peaks.

It covers all bases from ski resorts to cosmopolitan cities through to areas rich in Maori and Pacific Islands heritage. A passion for the outdoors and a love of Rugby Union unifies the country's large European-descended population and indigenous Maori groups.

Demand for Teachers

High, competitive

Main TEFL Regions

Christchurch, Auckland, Wellington

Main Types of Teaching

• Private Language Schools: General English, Cambridge PET/FCE/CAE, IELTS, High School English

• University EFL Departments: General English, EAP, IELTS

• Study Tours: General English, English for Younger Learners

Busiest Periods

Feb-May & Jul-Dec

Salary

• NZ$25-$40 (€11 - €17) per hour

• Pay is commensurate with a teacher's qualifications and experience.

Tax

23-33%

Contracts

3-9 months

Visa Requirements

Australians do not need a work permit

Teachers with UK, Irish or Canadian passports aged under 30 can apply for a 12-month working holiday visa

Requirements

• TEFL qualification

• English speaker