Student Jobs in New Zealand (2025): Top Part-Time & Remote Gigs That Pay Well

Introduction: Why Student Jobs Matter in 2025

The rising cost of living in New Zealand has made student jobs more critical than ever. In 2025, monthly living expenses in Auckland average around NZ$2,500–NZ$3,000 for a single person, including rent, food, and transportation, according to recent estimates from LeapScholar. Wellington and Christchurch are slightly more affordable, but the financial pressure remains significant. For many students, part-time work is essential to cover these costs and reduce reliance on loans or family support.

The remote gig economy has expanded work options, offering flexibility that aligns with student schedules. This shift is particularly beneficial in 2025, as it allows students to work from home, save on commuting, and balance their academic commitments. Beyond financial support, student jobs provide valuable work experience, helping build resumes and develop skills like communication, time management, and reliability—skills that are highly sought after by future employers. For more on remote opportunities, check out our guide on Top 15 Remote and Online Jobs in New Zealand 2025.

However, students must navigate legal limits on work hours. For those on a student visa, the standard limit is 20 hours per week during the academic term, with the option to work full-time during scheduled breaks and holidays, as outlined by Immigration New Zealand. Understanding these regulations is crucial for compliance and effective job planning.

This comprehensive guide is tailored for New Zealand residents seeking student jobs, while also offering insights for international applicants. Need a professional CV to stand out? Try our free CV maker to craft a tailored application, and explore our Perfect CV Guide for New Zealand 2025 for expert tips.

Best Part-Time Jobs for Students (On-Site)

On-site jobs remain a staple for students due to their accessibility and straightforward application processes. Here are the most common and well-paying options for 2025, based on recent job listings from Seek NZ and Indeed NZ:

• Retail Assistants: Roles at major retailers like Countdown, The Warehouse, and Farmers involve customer service, stocking shelves, and cashier duties. These jobs offer flexible hours, making them ideal for students. Pay typically ranges from NZ$22 to NZ$28 per hour, with evening and weekend shifts often available. For more on retail opportunities, see our Retail Jobs in New Zealand 2025 guide.
• Hospitality Roles: Jobs in cafes, restaurants, and bars—such as baristas, wait staff, and kitchen hands—are in high demand, especially in tourist areas like Queenstown, Auckland, and Wellington. These roles pay around NZ$22–NZ$28 per hour, with tips adding to the income, particularly in busy periods. Evening and weekend shifts fit well with student schedules. Explore more in our Hospitality Jobs in New Zealand 2025 article.
• Tutors: Tutoring in school subjects, languages, or university-level courses is a popular choice, especially for international students. Pay can range from NZ$25 to NZ$35 per hour, depending on the subject and experience. Platforms like Preply and university job boards often list opportunities, and this role leverages academic strengths.
• Delivery Drivers/Riders: With services like Uber Eats and DoorDash operational in New Zealand, students with their own vehicle or bike can work flexible hours delivering food. Pay is typically around NZ$20–NZ$25 per hour, plus tips, making it a convenient option for those with transportation.
• Supermarket Staff: Supermarkets like Countdown and New World frequently hire students for evening shifts, which align with class schedules. Roles include cashier work, restocking, and customer service, with pay ranging from NZ$22 to NZ$28 per hour. Learn about similar roles in our Woolworths Jobs in New Zealand 2025 guide.

Tips for On-Site Jobs:

• Look for employers who offer flexibility to accommodate your study schedule, such as shift swapping or part-time hours.
• Average pay rates for these jobs are NZ$22–NZ$28 per hour, but some roles, like tutoring, can pay up to NZ$35 per hour, especially for specialized subjects.
• Consider roles that align with your skills or interests, such as hospitality if you enjoy customer interaction or retail if you prefer a structured environment.

Tailor your CV for these roles using our free CV maker and check our Perfect CV Guide for New Zealand 2025 for guidance.

Best Remote Jobs for Students in 2025

Remote jobs have seen a surge in popularity among students, offering flexibility, no commute, and often higher pay. In 2025, the remote job market in New Zealand includes a variety of opportunities, as seen on platforms like FlexJobs and SEEK. Here are the top remote gigs:

• Freelance Writing & Editing: Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and NZ-based job boards allow students to take on writing, editing, or content creation projects. Pay can range from NZ$25 to NZ$35 per hour, depending on experience and specialization, with opportunities for building a portfolio.
• Virtual Assistants: Many small businesses and startups need help with administrative tasks like email management, scheduling, and social media coordination. This role is ideal for students with strong organizational skills and pays around NZ$25–NZ$30 per hour, as seen in recent SEEK listings. See more in our Top Admin Jobs in New Zealand 2025 guide.
• Online Tutors: Platforms like Chegg, Preply, and local NZ-based tutoring sites offer opportunities to teach subjects like math, science, or languages. Pay can be NZ$25–NZ$35 per hour, with the added benefit of building teaching experience and working from anywhere.
• Social Media Management: Students with a knack for digital marketing can help local brands or influencers manage their social media presence. This role often pays NZ$25–NZ$30 per hour and is great for building a digital portfolio, as noted in discussions on Reddit.
• Data Entry / Transcription: Entry-level remote jobs like data entry or transcription are flexible and pay around NZ$20–NZ$25 per hour. These roles are ideal for students looking for straightforward, low-commitment work, with listings available on Indeed NZ. Learn more in our Data Entry Jobs in New Zealand 2025 guide.
• Remote Tech Support: IT students can leverage their skills in remote tech support roles, helping businesses troubleshoot technical issues. Pay can range from NZ$25 to NZ$35 per hour, depending on expertise, with opportunities listed on SEEK and FlexJobs. Explore tech roles further in our IT Jobs in New Zealand 2025 article.

Why Remote Jobs Are Rising:

• Remote jobs offer no commute, flexible hours, and often higher pay (NZ$25–NZ$35 per hour), making them ideal for students.
• They allow students to build a digital portfolio, which is valuable for future career prospects, especially in tech and creative fields.
• The gig economy has made it easier to find remote work through platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and local job boards, with recent data showing over 600 remote job listings on SEEK in March 2025.

Highlight your qualifications effectively with a polished CV using our free CV builder. For detailed tips on showcasing your skills, see our Perfect CV Guide for New Zealand 2025.

Where to Find Student Jobs in NZ

Finding the right job as a student requires knowing where to look. Here are some of the best resources for finding part-time and remote jobs in New Zealand, based on recent research and student feedback:

• Websites:
  • Student Job Search NZ (SJS): A dedicated platform for students and graduates, offering casual, flexible, and long-term roles, with over 40 years of connecting young talent to employers (SJS).
  • Trade Me Jobs: A popular job board with a wide range of part-time and casual positions, updated daily (Trade Me Jobs).
  • Seek NZ: Lists both on-site and remote jobs, with filters for student-friendly roles, showing 828 student jobs in March 2025 (Seek NZ).
  • Indeed NZ: Another comprehensive job search platform with part-time and remote opportunities, listing over 400 part-time student jobs in October 2024 (Indeed NZ).
• University Career Hubs: Each university in New Zealand, such as the University of Auckland, Victoria University, or Otago University, has a career hub that lists jobs specifically for their students. For example, the University of Auckland’s career hub (UoA Careers) offers access to MyCDES+, advertising internships, part-time roles, and graduate programs. These hubs often include tailored opportunities and career advice.
• Social Media & Community Boards:
  • Facebook Groups: Many local groups, such as "Student Jobs NZ" or "Auckland Student Jobs," post job opportunities, with active discussions on flexible roles.
  • Reddit (r/newzealand): A great place to find job advice, insider tips, and occasional job postings from other students, with recent posts highlighting remote work success stories (Reddit NZ).

Stay organized by tracking applications with a spreadsheet, and tailor your CV for each role using our free CV builder. For more job search strategies, explore our Career Blog for the latest tips and job guides.

Tips for Getting Hired

Getting hired as a student requires preparation and strategy. Here are key tips, drawn from Careers.govt.nz and student experiences shared on Reddit:

• Tailor Your CV: Highlight your availability, relevant school projects, and any work experience. Keep your CV concise (2–3 pages) and include contact details for referees. For example, mention part-time availability and any tutoring experience if applying for retail roles.
• Cover Letter: Have a basic template ready to customize for each application. Explain why you’re a good fit for the role and mention your flexibility as a student. Get it checked by an English speaker for clarity, especially for international students.
• Be Upfront About Your Schedule: Let employers know your availability upfront to avoid conflicts later. For instance, mention exam periods or class times during interviews to set expectations.
• Practice Interviews: Prepare for common interview questions (e.g., “Why do you want this job?”) and practice with friends or career advisors. Dress neatly and arrive early for interviews, bringing a notepad with questions to show engagement.
• Get Your Documents Ready: Ensure you have an IRD number (for tax purposes) and a New Zealand bank account set up before applying for jobs. This streamlines the hiring process and shows readiness.

For expert CV and cover letter tips, use our free CV builder and read our Perfect CV Guide for New Zealand 2025. Prepare for interviews with our Job Interview Preparation Guide for New Zealand 2025.

Rights & Legal Info for Student Workers

Understanding your rights as a student worker is crucial for a fair and safe work environment. Here are the key legal points for 2025, based on information from Employment New Zealand and Immigration New Zealand:

• Work Hours: Students on a visa can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic term. During scheduled breaks and the Christmas/New Year holidays, they can work full-time, provided their course meets specific criteria (e.g., full-time for at least 2 academic years or Level 4+ on the NZQCF).
• Minimum Wage: As of 2025, the minimum wage is NZ$22.70 per hour for all workers, including students, ensuring fair compensation for their time.
• Rights: Students are entitled to sick leave, rest breaks, and fair treatment under New Zealand employment law. Employers cannot ask students to agree to less than the minimum rights, and all workers must have a written employment agreement outlining wages, hours, and conditions.
• Additional Protections: International students have the same rights as local workers, including protection from discrimination and access to holiday pay. For more details, visit Employment New Zealand or contact Immigration New Zealand for visa-specific guidance.

Clearly state your visa eligibility in your CV and cover letter. Tailor your application to New Zealand standards using our free CV builder and check our Perfect CV Guide for New Zealand 2025 for visa-related tips.

FAQs

To address common questions from students, here are detailed answers based on recent research and legal guidelines:

• Can I work more than 20 hours?
  During the academic term, students on a visa are limited to 20 hours per week to ensure they prioritize their studies. However, they can work full-time during scheduled breaks and the Christmas/New Year holidays, as per Immigration New Zealand. PhD and Masters by research students have no hours restriction, provided they study full-time if working full-time.
• What’s the highest-paying student job in NZ?
  Jobs like tutoring, freelance writing, and remote tech support can pay up to NZ$35 per hour, based on recent listings on SEEK and student feedback on Reddit. For example, online tutoring on Preply often pays NZ$25–NZ$35/hour, depending on the subject. See more high-paying options in our High-Paying Jobs in New Zealand 2025 guide.
• Are international students allowed to freelance?
  Yes, international students can freelance as long as they have the right to work in New Zealand and their freelance work complies with visa conditions. They cannot be self-employed without proper work rights, and all income must be reported for tax purposes, as noted by Employment New Zealand.
• What jobs fit around university hours?
  Jobs with flexible hours, such as retail, hospitality, delivery driving, and remote work, are ideal for fitting around university schedules. For instance, evening shifts at supermarkets or remote tutoring roles allow students to work after classes, as seen in discussions on Reddit. Check our Top 20 Part-Time Jobs in New Zealand 2025 for more options.

Final Tips

To maximize the benefits of student jobs, consider the following advice, drawn from career guides and student experiences:

• Build Soft Skills: Focus on developing communication, time management, and reliability, which are valued in any job. These skills can be honed through roles like customer service in retail or managing deadlines in remote work.
• Use Jobs to Build Your Resume: Every job, no matter how small, adds value to your resume and provides local work references. For example, a retail job can demonstrate customer service skills, while a tutoring role can highlight teaching abilities.
• Try Something New: Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone—every experience adds to your personal and professional growth. For instance, trying a hospitality role can build resilience, while exploring remote tech support can open doors to tech careers.

For broader career strategies, explore our Ultimate 2025 Job Guide. Build a winning CV with our free CV maker and prepare for success with our Job Interview Preparation Guide for New Zealand 2025.

Sources

1. Part-Time Jobs in New Zealand for International Students 2024
2. Working on a Student Visa Immigration New Zealand
3. Employee Rights and Responsibilities Employment New Zealand
4. New Zealand Reddit Community Discussions
5. Remote Part-Time Jobs in New Zealand SEEK
6. Student Jobs in New Zealand SEEK
7. University of Auckland Career Hub Job Search Sites
8. Student Job Search NZ Official Site
9. Trade Me Jobs New Zealand Job Listings
10. Indeed NZ Part-Time Student Jobs
11. FlexJobs Remote Jobs in New Zealand
12. Careers.govt.nz Job Hunting Guide