The New Zealand Green List

Get New Zealand residency the day you land: check out the Green List jobs with residency pathways! Immigration New Zealand created the Green List to fast-track residency pathways for certain occupations, and consists of two tiers.


View the Green List

Find out if you can move to New Zealand

We’ve created a free 2-minute appraisal form to give you an idea of your chances to get a job in New Zealand and make the move here.


Get your free appraisal

In-person events in the UK

Members of our expert team are travelling the UK throught 2024, hosting in-person events where you can talk directly to them about your move to New Zealand. Click through to book your tickets and see if there is an event coming to a city near you.


Book your tickets

Queenstown

Queenstown is famous for its natural beauty. Iconic scenic views and the opportunity of a uniquely outdoor lifestyle makes Queenstown one of the most appealing places to live and work in New Zealand. This vibrant town offers exciting career opportunities, excellent living conditions, and world-class entertainment. Find where to live and work in Queenstown with Working In today. Plus, discover all the best things to do and see in the region.

Queenstown Population and Demographics

Queenstown is a resort town in the South Island of New Zealand. The town is known for its welcoming community, and is home to a wide mix of cultures and ethnicities. People of over 40 different nationalities currently reside permanently in the town. Queenstown’s population is small compared to other urban areas of New Zealand. However, the region has some of the country’s the highest population growth figures.

Queenstown Weather and Climate

In terms of weather, Queenstown is a pleasant place to live all year round. The region enjoys long summers, with an average temperature of 17C. The summer is a great time of year to enjoy the region’s many water-based activities, including jet-boating and white-water rafting. Autumn and spring offer milder weather and a more relaxed pace of life.

Winters in Queenstown are cool and crisp, with an average temperature of 6°C. The cold season opens up the opportunity for you to enjoy a wide array of snow sports. Queenstown features four ski fields, open from June to early October.

Major Industries in Queenstown

Queenstown is an international tourist hub that, year after year, attracts excited visitors from all over the world. Tourism plays a major role in its economy, with many employment opportunities related to tourism, food services and accommodation.

The winter months offer plenty of seasonal work – for work during these seasons, applicants are advised to apply early, due to high competition. Other key industries in Queenstown include construction, retail trade and professional, scientific and technical services.

Foreigners hoping to work in Queenstown must have a relevant visa. Information about the visa process is on the Immigration New Zealand website.

Places to Live in Queenstown

Queenstown offers various residential housing areas. Accommodation options include serviced apartments, hostels, hotels, lodges, resorts and more. Visitors and residents can choose between budget accommodation and more luxurious options. No matter where you stay, you’ll enjoy quality living in Queenstown.

The cheapest place to live in Queenstown is outside the town centre. Most of the outer suburbs are a short drive from the town centre. Suburbs such as Fernhill, Sunshine Bay and Kelvin Height are great, peaceful places to live, away from most of the tourist bustle but still a convenient distance away from major amenities.

Cost of Living in Queenstown

Since Queenstown is a tourist resort town, it’s more expensive than most other areas of New Zealand. Many of the shops feature tourist prices, as in some cases, you may have to pay more than what you’re used to.

Rental costs in the town centre are particularly high. Queenstown is a tourist hotspot, so finding affordable accommodation can be competitive. The average price for a room in the city is NZD 300 per week. However, prices can change depending on the season. Competition is generally highest during the winter peak tourist season.

The rent is generally much cheaper across the outer suburbs. In the suburbs, the cost of rent ranges from about NZD 170-250 per week.

Getting Around in Queenstown

Getting around Queenstown is easy. The town centre is packed with restaurants and activities, all within walking distance – one of the greatest perks of living in Queenstown. But if you’d like to travel further, Queenstown also has an excellent public transport system.

There are taxi services available throughout the region, as well as a bus and ferry network. If you don’t have your own car, rental car services are readily available.

Education in Queenstown

Getting an education in Queenstown can lead to many great career opportunities. The region is home to excellent primary and secondary schools, language schools and tertiary institutions. You can choose from a huge range of study options and training opportunities. These include hospitality, adventure tourism, the English language, business administration, computing and more. International students living in Queenstown will enjoy a welcoming and vibrant study environment.

Queenstown’s outdoor lifestyle offers a student experience like no other – with the town being one of the exciting places to study in New Zealand. Students can spend days off sightseeing, doing adventure sports, and enjoying the nightlife.

Queenstown Entertainment and Things to Do

Queenstown is famously known as “the Adventure Capital of New Zealand.” In every season, there is no shortage of activities in Queenstown. From jet-boating and bungee jumping to skiing and snowboarding, there’s a perfect activity for everyone. People from all over the world visit Queenstown to experience its adventure sports.

Queenstown is surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty and is an ideal location for outdoor enthusiasts or nature lovers. Popular outdoor activities include hiking, mountain biking, hunting and fishing. There are also scenic flights and cruises you can take to discover the region’s full beauty. Most of the activities in Queenstown be enjoyed all year round.

As well as thrill and adventure, Queenstown also caters well to people who are looking for a more relaxed way of life. Queenstown is home to world-class restaurants, wineries, movie theatres and great shopping. If you’re interested in history, you will enjoy the cultural shows, art galleries and museums. The town is also a popular hub for hosting large sporting events, such as the New Zealand Winter Games.

Start your journey to New Zealand…

Explore New Zealand

Auckland

A city built by volcanoes, Auckland came to life when some 53 of the rumbling mountains were created between 60,000 and 140,000 years ago, and the vibe of New Zealand's largest settlement is every bit as exciting as you might expect from a town born this way. Auckland...

Central Plateau

Often called the North Island Volcanic Plateau, the Central Plateau is located in the centre of the North Island. The area is famous for its three active volcanoes: Mount Tongariro, Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Ruapehu. Taihape in the South, Ohakune, in the West, Taupo...

Christchurch

If you are planning to move to Christchurch, you are in the right place. Here we have collected all the vital information for anyone considering settling in the “Garden City”, including the cost of living, key industries, places to live, public transport options and...

East Coast

The East Coast is found on the North Island, between the Bay of Plenty and Hawke’s Bay. The region’s biggest city is Gisborne, located at the northern end. Captain Cook himself gave the area its name, and the East Coast was the very first part of the country...

Gisborne

Gisborne is famous for its sunny climate, friendly community and gorgeous beaches. Find out where to live and work in Gisborne on Working In today. Discover a range of job opportunities in the region and find affordable housing. Plus, get useful information on...

Hamilton

Discover the vibrant city of Hamilton and its thriving workforce. Experience top-notch dining, a buzzing nightlife and an active outdoor lifestyle. Find where to live and work in Hamilton and enjoy the perfect work-life balance. With a range of job opportunities to...

Hawke’s Bay

On the east coast of the North island, you’ll find Hawke’s Bay. Renowned as a world-class wine region, it will come as little surprise that this corner of the country is one of its sunniest. The pace of life here is what you might call ‘relaxed’ - if it’s a beach...

Kerikeri

Kerikeri is found in the warm heart of Northland. A small town alive with character, Kerikeri is surrounded by lush natural countryside, but in its centre, you’ll find galleries, museums and restaurants throughout. In fact, Kerikeri is awash with history - some of the...

Nelson

Established in 1841, Nelson is one of the oldest cities in New Zealand - and it’s one of the sunniest, too. With an average of around 2,500 hours of sunshine per year, only neighbouring Blenheim enjoys more of the big yellow ball. Two of New Zealand’s largest bays can...

Northland

The winterless North’ - a place where the sun rarely hops out of vision. That’s what the Kiwis call Northland, and it’s easy to see why. Just one glance at the weather forecast on any given day will show you just how warm Northland can get, making the region one of...

Otago

Otago is one of New Zealand's most scenic and therefore photographed, regions. The sky-piercing mountains of the southern Alps, a collection of spellbinding glacial lakes and miles of winding, wild coastline mean that Otago is a popular destination for tourists, but...

Palmerston North

Found roughly halfway between Taupo and Wellington on the country’s North Island, Palmerston North is the hub of New Zealand’s Manawatu region. Though perhaps it may not have the pull of the nation’s larger cities right now, it’s growing fast and needs skilled...

Rotorua

Drenched in Maori heritage, Rotorua is a literal hotbed of life. Found in an area of restless geothermal movement, Rotorua has attracted visitors to its smoking cracks and craters for time immemorial. The famous bubbling mud pools and thermal springs scattered across...

Southland

As its name suggests, Southland is found in the deep south of New Zealand. Though it might lack the big-city thrills that come with Auckland or Christchurch, Southland more than holds its own when it comes to quality of life, career opportunities and a genuine slice...

Stewart Island

Found at the southern tip of the South Island, Stewart Island is NZ’s third-largest, though it’s much smaller than the main two. With a total area of under 2,000 square kilometres, Stewart Island is made of rugged granite and is one of the last stop before Antarctica...

Taranaki

Out on the wild west coast of the North Island, the Taranaki region is another one that’s famous for its laidback lifestyle - aren’t they all? Here, you’ll find an awesome mix of things to see and do - climb a mountain, surf a wave, check out the art galleries -...

Taupo

Taupo could be considered Queenstown’s northern brother. Full of natural wonders (including New Zealand’s largest lake) in which you can partake in a myriad of heart-racing extreme activities, Taupo attracts visitors both permanent and temporary alike. Whether you’re...

Tauranga

The city of Tauranga is an excellent choice for those seeking to balance work in New Zealand with a fantastic lifestyle. If you are considering moving to Tauranga, read on to discover what you can expect from this naturally beautiful and friendly city on New...

Bay of Plenty

Over 250 years ago, Captain James Cook, when circumnavigating New Zealand, came across an area of the country that was abundant with natural resources, both on the land and in the sea beneath the Endeavour. As such, he described the region as ‘a bay of much plenty’...

Waikato

The Waikato region is located on New Zealand’s North Island, stretching from the Coromandel through Lake Taupo in the centre, heading on down to King Country in the Island’s southern half. Just under half a million people live in the area, with Hamilton the main...

Wairarapa

For a taste of the real New Zealand, you can’t go far wrong if you choose to settle in the Wairarapa region. Miles of beaches, endless countryside and rustic villages all make this corner of the nation an enchanting place - and that’s before we even get onto the...

Wellington

New Zealand’s capital city is a fantastic place to settle down in – diverse, scenic, and filled with art, culture and entertainment. Discover more about moving to Wellington and what you can expect from the weather, the cost of living, the job opportunities in New...

See all locations