Overview
In New Zealand, a CV (curriculum vitae) or resume (the terms are used interchangeably) is the standard job application document. A typical NZ CV is 2-3 pages. New Zealand has strong employment and human rights legislation covering discrimination. Photos are not standard. NZ employers value a clear, professional, and concise document.
Key CV Guidance
Including a photo on a NZ CV is not standard practice and may raise concerns under the Human Rights Act 1993 (NZ), which protects against discrimination based on appearance, age, sex, and other grounds. Most NZ employers do not expect or request a photo.
Date of birth should not be included on a New Zealand CV. The Human Rights Act 1993 (NZ) protects against age discrimination in employment. Most NZ careers advisors recommend omitting date of birth.
Marital status is not included on NZ CVs. It is a protected characteristic under NZ human rights law.
Nationality is generally not included. Work authorization status (e.g., "New Zealand citizen", "Permanent Resident", "Work Visa holder") may be relevant for certain roles or immigration applications.
Length & Formatting
Most NZ CVs are 2-3 pages. Early career roles may be 1-2 pages. Senior roles may be 3-4 pages. Academic CVs are longer.
Clear, professional, and easy to read. A4 paper format. Good use of white space. Clean headings. Save as PDF unless otherwise requested.
ATS are used by many NZ employers, especially larger organizations and public sector. Match keywords from job postings. Use standard section headings.
Work Experience & Education
Reverse chronological order. Bullet points. Quantify achievements. Action verbs. Both paid and relevant volunteer experience are valued in New Zealand.
Include degree, institution, location, and year. NCEA, NZ Qualifications Framework (NZQF) levels, and trade certifications are relevant. Include overseas qualifications with NZQA recognition if applicable.
Technical skills, software proficiency, and language skills are relevant. Industry-specific skills and safety certifications are valued. Iwi/community involvement may be relevant for some NZ employers.
Key Differences — New Zealand CV
- Both "CV" and "resume" terms are used interchangeably
- A4 paper format (not US Letter)
- No photo, no date of birth (Human Rights Act 1993)
- NZQA qualifications framework recognition may be relevant
- Referees are commonly requested
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Including a photo
- Making the CV too long
- Not acknowledging NZ qualifications framework equivalents
- Ignoring NZ-specific spelling (British/NZ English)
- Not including referee contact details when requested
Official Sources
This guidance is based on general New Zealand practice and publicly available information. CV requirements vary by employer, industry, and role.
Use our free CV builder to create a professionally formatted New Zealand CV with country-specific guidance applied automatically.