The New Zealand CV sits between the UK and Australian styles: two to three pages, a personal summary and key skills section near the top, detailed achievements under each role, and referees commonly listed or offered. Photos and birth dates stay off under the Human Rights Act 1993. Kiwi hiring culture prizes understatement backed by evidence — confident claims with numbers, minus the bravado. For migrants, stating your visa or residency status clearly matters in a market where employers routinely ask about work rights in the first screen.
Quick facts: the New Zealand CV
| Length | 2–3 pages |
|---|---|
| Photo | Never |
| Personal details | None (Human Rights Act) |
| Tone | Genuine, capable |
| Language | NZ English |
| ATS screening | Used at larger employers |
The rules New Zealand recruiters expect
- 2–3 pages is standard
- No photo, date of birth, or marital status (Human Rights Act 1993)
- Personal summary (3–5 lines) plus a key skills section near the top
- Detailed achievements under each role
- Referees: 2–3 named, or "available on request" with them briefed and ready
- NZ English spelling (organisation, specialise)
- State visa/residency status if you are not a citizen or resident
- Community and volunteer involvement is well regarded
Mistakes that get New Zealand applications rejected
Imported bravado
Overselling reads badly in NZ. Let quantified results carry the confidence.
One-page US resume
NZ recruiters expect enough detail to assess you; one page reads as thin.
Unclear work rights
Employers ask immediately. "NZ Permanent Resident" or "Accredited Employer Work Visa eligible" pre-answers it.
No referees prepared
Reference checks happen fast in NZ's small market; have two or three briefed referees ready.
Skip the manual reformatting. Upload your current CV, pick New Zealand, and AlterCV rewrites it in the exact local format — rules above included — with a live ATS score.
Applying to other countries too?
Every market has different rules — that's the whole point of AlterCV. Related guides: Australia resume format · United Kingdom CV format · Singapore resume format — or browse all 15 country formats.