Legal Recruitment New Zealand

Search our online database for New Zealand lawyer vacancies available now.  Our team at Burgess Paluch has extensive experience assisting and placing Australian lawyers into New Zealand roles.  Our local contact base means that we can offer you a broad range of opportunities in New Zealand, including in top-tier and global law firms, as well as in-house teams.

New Zealand and Australia’s Closer Economic Relations Agreement created a free market in which Australian and New Zealand citizens are able to live and work freely in each other’s countries.  This agreement also involves a mutual recognition of professional qualifications, including admission to legal practice.

A fresh approach to Legal Recruitment in New Zealand

Our team at Burgess Paluch includes recruiters with extensive experience in the New Zealand market.  We specialise in placing Australian lawyers in New Zealand firms and in moving Kiwis to Australia and overseas.  Our broad client base encompasses top and mid-tier firms, as well as in-house corporate teams.

We work hard to ensure that we place the most suitable lawyers into the job.  We make sure to learn about the strengths of our lawyers and the needs of our clients so that the lawyers we put forward are the best fit for the job.  This allows for quicker, more accurate placements.  Burgess Paluch assists its lawyers with all aspects of expatriate relocation, including advice on housing, schools and a host of other issues. That enables our lawyers to settle in and become productive members of their new team easily.

We are also able to assist with salary advice, the cost of living, the cultures of particular firms and even the nuances of individual partners. Our vacancy list reflects a blend of UK, US, Australian and large local firms and in-house corporate legal teams. Search our vacancies on this page or email a CV to [email protected] or call Kirsty McNay on +61 2 9216 9080 to find out more.

Why New Zealand?

Close enough to feel comfortable, but different enough to be exciting, New Zealand is the perfect place for Australian lawyers seeking overseas experience.  New Zealand is home not only to several national and global firms, but also to a vibrant culture and social scene.  This, together with the high ratio of in-house lawyers and legal opportunities, makes New Zealand the ideal destination for Australian lawyers with international aspirations.

Lawyers working in New Zealand

If you hold an Australian practicing certificate, being admitted to the legal profession in New Zealand is simple.  There’s no need to undertake further studies, just apply for admission to the High Court of New Zealand, then be issued with a practising certificate by the New Zealand Law Society.  You’ll be admitted as both a barrister and solicitor but issued with a practising certificate as either a barrister, or a barrister and solicitor.

Living in New Zealand

New Zealand is one of the world’s most popular destinations, and for good reason.  Spectacular scenery, great food and a rich culture are at the top of New Zealand’s list of charms, alongside glorious weather and some of the friendliest people worldwide.

Australia and New Zealand share a lot culturally.  We speak the same language and have the same laid-back attitude.  Both countries enjoy the outdoors and are obsessed with cricket and rugby, so you’ll feel right at home.  Even the biggest cities are only a few minutes from New Zealand’s numerous beautiful beaches, parks and wildlife.  New Zealand also has the added benefit of being one of the cleanest countries in the world and having only three species of venomous spider.

Australian citizens and permanent residents don’t need a visa to work or live in New Zealand, and the cost of living is lower than in most Australian cities.