Finding Work in New Zealand
Mardy shares practical advice drawn from his own experience and interviews with other Japanese expats who have built careers in New Zealand. Topics range from landing a first hospitality job to creative side gigs that help fund life abroad.
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Become a Barista in NZ — Even with Zero English
An interview with Jiro, who landed a barista job in Auckland just three weeks after arriving — despite not speaking English. His secret? Instagram. A practical, inspiring read for anyone worried about the language barrier.
Interview Auckland Working Holiday -
Earn Money Pet Sitting Worldwide with Pawshake
New Zealanders love animals — over half of all households have a dog or cat. Mardy explains how platforms like Pawshake let you care for pets, earn extra cash, and even sharpen your language skills along the way.
Animals Side Hustle -
One Year In: Leaving a New-Grad Job for a Working Holiday
Mardy reflects on his first full year in New Zealand after walking away from a fresh graduate position in Japan. He had recently switched from a Working Holiday Visa to a Work Visa, marking a major turning point.
Working Holiday Visa Lifestyle
Customer Service & Workplace Culture
Mardy doesn't shy away from opinionated takes on what it's like to work in customer-facing roles. His posts touch on the frustrations of difficult customers and the oddities of workplace norms — always with a personal, reflective angle.
- Standing all shift? Mardy questions why shop staff are expected to stay on their feet when sitting would make no difference to the customer experience.
- Dealing with tough customers: Honest reflections on navigating service work and keeping your cool under pressure.
The journey to finding work in New Zealand as a Japanese expat often begins with a single bold step, and the stories shared here reflect that truth. Whether you arrive with fluent English or none at all, the hospitality industry frequently serves as a welcoming entry point, especially in cities like Auckland. One common path involves leveraging social media to showcase your personality and interests before you even set foot in a café. Employers sometimes value enthusiasm and visual storytelling over polished language skills, opening doors that might otherwise seem closed. From barista positions to creative side projects, the accounts collected here reveal that persistence and a willingness to adapt can turn a working holiday into a genuine career foundation.
Beyond hospitality, many Japanese expats in New Zealand discover that their unique background becomes an asset in unexpected ways. Creative side gigs, from photography to content creation, allow individuals to supplement their income while building a portfolio that reflects their bicultural perspective. The practical advice shared across these experiences emphasizes the importance of networking within local communities and staying open to roles that fall outside one’s original plan. Language barriers often feel less daunting once you realize that many New Zealand workplaces value hands-on skills and a positive attitude. Over time, what starts as temporary work can evolve into a sustainable lifestyle, shaped by the confidence gained from navigating a new country and culture.
Related Reading
These categories dig deeper into the working-holiday lifestyle and day-to-day life in New Zealand:
- Work Holiday — visa transitions, budgeting, and expat interviews.
- Home — the latest posts and personal essays from Mardy.