In New Zealand, your CV is often the first impression you make on a potential employer. A well-formatted, concise, and tailored CV significantly increases your chances of securing an interview in a competitive job market.
Unlike in some countries where CVs can run many pages with photos and personal details, New Zealand employers prefer clean, professional documents that focus on relevance and achievements. In 2026, with ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) widely used, formatting matters more than ever.
This practical guide explains the standard New Zealand CV format, what to include and exclude, real examples, and a ready-to-adapt structure.
CV vs Resume in New Zealand
In New Zealand, the terms CV and resume are used interchangeably. Both refer to the same document — a concise summary of your skills and experience. A full academic CV (many pages) is only needed for research or university roles. For most private-sector and public-sector jobs, keep it short and targeted.
Ideal Length and File Format
- Length: 2 pages maximum (1 page for graduates or early-career). Recruiters spend less than 30 seconds scanning.
- File Format: Save and send as PDF to preserve formatting. Name it clearly: FirstName-LastName-CV.pdf.
- Margins: 2–2.5 cm on all sides.
- Line Spacing: 1.15–1.5 for readability.
Best Fonts, Layout & Design Rules
Use clean, professional fonts that work well with ATS:
- Recommended: Arial, Calibri, Georgia, or Times New Roman (size 11–12 for body text, 14–16 for headings).
- Avoid fancy designs, columns, tables, images, or photos.
- Use bold for headings and consistent bullet points.
- Plenty of white space makes it scannable.
Standard New Zealand CV Structure
- Contact Details (top of page 1)
- Professional Profile / Summary (3–5 lines)
- Work Experience (reverse chronological)
- Education & Qualifications
- Skills (key technical & soft skills)
- Additional Sections (optional: Certifications, Volunteer Work, Languages)
- References (available upon request)
Important: No date of birth, marital status, photo, religion, or full address.
Full CV Example (Mid-Career Professional)
Sarah Thompson Marketing Coordinator Auckland, New Zealand 021 123 4567 | sarah.thompson@email.com | linkedin.com/in/sarahthompson-nz
Professional Profile Results-driven Marketing Coordinator with 6+ years’ experience in digital campaigns and content strategy. Proven track record of increasing lead generation by 45% and managing successful social media campaigns for NZ brands. Seeking a Senior Marketing role in the Auckland region.
Work Experience
Marketing Coordinator ABC Retail Ltd, Auckland March 2023 – Present
- Led social media strategy that grew Instagram followers by 12,000 and engagement by 65%.
- Developed and executed email campaigns with average open rate of 28%.
- Managed Google Ads budget of $8,000/month, achieving 4.2x ROI.
Marketing Assistant XYZ Solutions, Wellington Jan 2021 – Feb 2023
- … (additional bullet points with achievements)
Education
Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing Major) University of Auckland, 2020
- Graduated with Second Class Honours
Skills
- Digital Marketing (Google Analytics, SEO, Meta Ads)
- Content Creation & Copywriting
- CRM Systems (HubSpot, Mailchimp)
- Project Management (Asana)
Certifications
- Google Digital Marketing Certificate, 2024
- HubSpot Inbound Marketing, 2023
References Available upon request.
What to Include & What to Leave Out
Include
- Achievements with numbers (%, $, time saved)
- Relevant recent experience (focus on last 10–15 years)
- New Zealand-relevant keywords from the job ad
- Right to work status (e.g., “NZ Citizen” or “Accredited Employer Work Visa – valid until 2028”) for migrants
Leave Out
- Photo
- Age / Date of Birth
- Full residential address
- Marital status, religion, nationality
- Irrelevant hobbies
- High school details (unless recent graduate)
Tailoring Your CV for ATS & Kiwi Employers
- Mirror keywords from the job description naturally.
- Use standard headings (Work Experience, Education).
- Avoid headers/footers, text boxes, or graphics.
- Tailor every application — generic CVs get ignored.
Common Mistakes Newcomers Make
- Using overseas formats with photos or long CVs
- Listing duties instead of achievements
- Not using New Zealand spelling (organised, realise)
- Sending Word files instead of PDF
- Including too much irrelevant information
FAQ
How long should a CV be in New Zealand?
1 – 2 pages maximum. Two pages is acceptable for experienced professionals.
Should I include a photo on my NZ CV?
No. New Zealand employers generally do not want photos on CVs.
What font is best for a New Zealand CV?
Arial, Calibri, or Georgia in 11–12 point size.
Do I need references on my CV?
Write “Available upon request”. Provide them only when asked.
How do I write a CV as a migrant or international student?
Highlight transferable skills, include right-to-work status, and focus on the last 10 years of experience. Tailor heavily to the NZ job market.
For official job search support, visit Careers.govt.nz – How to Write a CV.
Final Thoughts
A strong New Zealand CV is clear, concise, achievement-focused, and tailored. Follow the format above, customise for every role, and you will stand out to Kiwi employers in 2026.
While writing your CV, it’s also wise to understand the broader financial picture — see our Cost of Living in New Zealand 2026 guide to budget realistically during your job search.
Ready to build your CV? Combine this with our How to Get a Job in New Zealand and Minimum Wage in New Zealand 2026 guides for a complete job-hunting toolkit.
