You've got the interview. Now you need to know what they'll ask, and what to say.
The good news is that most New Zealand interviews follow a pattern. The same dozen or so questions come up again and again, whether you're interviewing for a nursing job in Hamilton, an apprenticeship in Christchurch or a policy role in Wellington. And most of the hard ones start with the same four words: "Tell me about a time..."
This guide covers the questions New Zealand employers ask most, with an example answer for each, how to use the STAR method, what to ask at the end, which questions an employer isn't allowed to ask, and what happens after. The advice comes from Tahatū Career Navigator (opens in a new tab), the government's careers service, and Employment New Zealand, linked as we go.
What to expect at a job interview in New Zealand
Most interviews in New Zealand are friendly but structured. You'll usually meet one person or a small panel, for somewhere between half an hour and an hour. Expect a few minutes of small talk, a short introduction to the job, then questions, then a chance to ask your own.
Many employers start with a short phone call to choose who to invite, and some interview entirely by video. Tahatū says employers often use phone interviews to decide who to bring in, and for applicants from out of town.
Some jobs add a step. Tahatū suggests checking whether the interview includes anything extra, such as a test, a presentation or group activities (opens in a new tab). A hospitality job might ask you to make a few coffees. An office job might give you a short writing or spreadsheet task. If you're not sure, ask when they invite you: "Is there anything I should prepare?" is a perfectly normal question.
Questions in New Zealand interviews tend to be behavioural. Rather than "Are you good with customers?", you'll hear "Tell me about a time you dealt with an unhappy customer." The interviewer wants a real example, because what you did before is the best clue to what you'll do next.
How to prepare for a job interview
Tahatū's advice comes down to four steps:
- Reread the job ad and description. Pick out the three or four things the employer wants most. These are what most of the questions will be about.
- Reread your own CV and cover letter. The interviewer has them in front of them, and they'll ask about what's there. Our guides to writing a CV for New Zealand jobs and writing a cover letter explain what they'll be reading.
- Prepare your examples. Write down five or six real stories from work, study, volunteering or sport that show the skills the ad asks for. Most behavioural questions can be answered with one of them.
- Practise out loud. On your own, or with a friend or whānau member. An answer that sounds fine in your head often comes out long and rambling the first time you say it.
Not sure which skills the ad is really asking for? Paste it with your CV into the free CV keyword scanner. It lists the ad's keywords and shows which ones your CV already covers, so you know where an interviewer is likely to push.
Then research the employer. Read its website, its "about us" page and any recent news. Tahatū says to find out what the organisation wants in an employee. You'll need it for "Why do you want to work here?", which comes up in almost every interview.
The STAR method: how to answer "Tell me about a time..."
The STAR method is the simplest way to answer a behavioural question without rambling. Tahatū recommends it. Your answer has four parts:
- Situation: where you were and what was going on. One or two sentences.
- Task: what you needed to do, or the problem.
- Action: what you did. This is the longest part. Say "I", not "we".
- Result: how it turned out, with a number if you can. And what you learned, if it fits.
Here's a STAR answer to "Tell me about a time you had to deal with a lot of pressure":
Situation: Last December I was working at a garden centre in Tauranga, and two of our five staff called in sick on the Saturday before Christmas.
Task: I was the most experienced person on the floor, so I had to keep the tills moving and make sure customers with big orders still got help loading.
Action: I asked my manager to open a second till and took it myself, moved our newest staff member to the plants section where questions were simpler, and set up a "click and collect" table by the door so pick-ups didn't join the queue.
Result: We got through our busiest day of the year with the queue never longer than about five people, and my manager kept the collection table for the rest of the summer.
That takes about a minute to say. Aim for one to two minutes per STAR answer. If the interviewer wants more, they'll ask.
The most common interview questions, with example answers
These are the questions that come up in almost every New Zealand interview, roughly in the order you're likely to hear them. Treat the example answers as a shape to follow, not a script. Interviewers can tell when an answer has been memorised, and the best ones are your own stories, told well.
1. "Tell me about yourself"
This is usually the first question, and it's not an invitation to tell your life story. Tahatū suggests summarising your experience, qualifications and goals. A simple shape is present, past, future: what you do now, what you've done that's relevant, and why you want this job.
I'm a registered nurse, and for the last three years I've worked on a busy medical ward at a hospital in Hamilton. Before that I did my new graduate year in aged care, which is where I found I really enjoy working with older patients and their families. I'm applying for this role because I want to move into community nursing, where I can follow patients over time rather than for a few days on the ward.
Keep it to about a minute. Leave out your age, family and hobbies unless they connect to the job.
2. "Why do you want to work here?"
This is where your research pays off. Give one or two specific reasons, and link at least one to yourself. "You're a great company" isn't a reason. Tahatū says to use what you've learned about the organisation.
I've been following your move into heat pumps and solar, and that's the work I want more of. At my current job I've done a few heat pump installs, and I'd like to do it every day and get more qualified in it. I also liked that your apprentices get time with each part of the business, because I want to keep learning.
3. "Why should we hire you?" or "Why are you the best person for this job?"
Match yourself to the ad. Pick its two or three most important requirements and give evidence for each, briefly. Tahatū suggests talking about how your personality, skills and experience would help.
Your ad asks for someone who's accurate, comfortable with Xero and able to work on their own. I've done the books for three small businesses for four years, all in Xero, and I reconcile about 400 transactions a month without supervision. My clients' accountants rarely send anything back, so I think I could take on your accounts quickly.
4. "What are your strengths?"
Name two or three strengths that the job needs, and give a quick example of each. A strength without evidence is just a claim.
I'm calm with upset people, which matters in a contact centre. Last month a caller rang about a power bill that had doubled. By the end of the call, they knew why and had a payment plan. I'm also quick to learn systems: I was taking calls on my own after a week, when training usually takes two.
5. "What's your greatest weakness?"
The interviewer isn't trying to catch you out. They want to see that you're honest and that you work on things. Pick a real weakness that isn't central to the job, then say what you do about it. Tahatū says to talk about how you manage your weaknesses.
Avoid "I'm a perfectionist" or "I work too hard". Interviewers hear them every day.
I used to find it hard to say no when people asked me for help, so I'd end up behind on my own work. Now I check what's already due before I agree to something, and if I can't do it straight away I say when I can. My manager noticed the difference in my last review.
6. "Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult customer"
A classic STAR question for any job with customers, patients, clients or the public. Show that you stayed calm, listened, and fixed what you could.
A customer came into the café furious because we'd got his order wrong for the second week in a row. I apologised and remade it on the spot. Then I asked what he usually ordered and wrote it on our regulars' board so the whole team would know. He's been back most mornings since, and the board now has about 30 regulars on it.
7. "Tell me about a time you worked in a team"
Or "...when you disagreed with someone". The interviewer wants to know how you work with people, including when it's hard. Say what you did, and keep it respectful. No one wants to hear you blame a colleague.
On a site in Ōtautahi, the drainlayer and I kept needing the same part of the site at the same time, and it was slowing both of us down. I asked him to grab a coffee with me before work, and we drew up a rough plan of who'd be where each morning. It took ten minutes a day, and we finished our parts of the job two days early.
8. "Tell me about a mistake you made"
Choose a real mistake, not a disaster, and spend most of the answer on how you fixed it and what you changed. This question tests honesty more than anything else.
In my first month as an administrator, I sent a meeting invite to the wrong mailing list, and about 80 people outside the team got it. I told my manager straight away, sent a short correction, and checked the attendee list was right. Since then I always send to myself first, and I haven't done it again.
9. "Why are you leaving your current job?"
Stay positive, and talk about what you're moving towards, not what you're escaping. Never criticise a current or past employer, even if they deserve it.
I've learned a lot in my current role, but the team is small and there isn't room to move into a supervisor role. This job gives me the chance to lead a team, which is what I want to do next.
If you were made redundant, say so plainly: "My role was disestablished when the company restructured." It's common, and nothing to be embarrassed about.
10. "Can you explain this gap in your CV?"
Tahatū's advice is to explain the gap briefly and honestly, say how you used the time and what you gained, and then focus on being ready for the new job.
I took eighteen months off to care for my mum after her stroke. During that time I managed her appointments, medication and the paperwork with her care agency, which kept my organisation skills sharp. She's now settled in a care home, and I'm ready to return to full-time work.
One or two sentences about the gap, then move on. You don't have to share medical or family details you're not comfortable with. Tahatū has more on returning to work after a gap (opens in a new tab).
11. "Where do you see yourself in five years?"
The employer wants to know whether you'll stay, and whether this job fits where you're heading. Be honest and connect your goals to the role.
I'd like to be a qualified electrician in five years, and ideally still here, running my own jobs. That's why I applied for an apprenticeship with a company that has a strong record of keeping its apprentices once they're qualified.
12. "What are your salary expectations?"
Research before the interview. Look at what similar jobs pay: many ads on our job board show a salary, and you can filter to those that do. Then give a range, with the bottom of it a figure you'd genuinely accept.
From what I've seen for similar roles in Wellington, I'd expect something between $68,000 and $75,000, depending on the full package. I'm flexible, and I'd like to know more about the role before I settle on a figure.
If the ad already gives a salary, it's fine to say: "The range in the ad works for me." For hourly work, every employee aged 16 or over who isn't a starting-out or training employee must be paid at least the adult minimum wage, which has been NZ$23.95 an hour since 1 April 2026 (opens in a new tab).
13. "When can you start?"
Know your notice period before you walk in. It's in your current employment agreement, and two or four weeks is common. Employers expect you to work your notice, and offering to leave without it can worry them more than it impresses them.
I need to give four weeks' notice in my current job, so I could start on Monday 7 December.
If you're on a visa, this is a good moment to say where you stand if they haven't asked: "I hold an open work visa valid until March 2028, so I can start whenever suits you." Employers must check you can legally work in New Zealand before they employ you.
14. "What do you know about Te Tiriti o Waitangi?"
This question is common in the public sector, health, education, local government and many community organisations, and some private employers ask it too. Tahatū says an employer might ask what you know about Te Tiriti and how you'll apply its articles to your mahi (opens in a new tab), and suggests talking about your understanding of Te Tiriti and how you show the articles in your work decisions and relationships.
You don't need to be an expert. A good answer shows a basic understanding of what Te Tiriti is, and gives a practical example of what it means in this job. Tahatū's page explains the three articles in plain language, and it's worth reading before the interview.
Te Tiriti is the founding agreement between Māori and the Crown, and for me as a social worker it means making sure whānau have a real say in decisions about their own lives. In my current role, I start by asking who the whānau want involved, and I've worked with our kaumātua so that hui are run the way the family is comfortable with. I'm keen to learn more about how your team works with local iwi.
Tahatū also notes you can ask the employer what they're doing to honour Te Tiriti.
15. "Do you have any questions for us?"
Always say yes. Having no questions can look like a lack of interest. Tahatū suggests asking about the type of work, training and progression, the team, and the organisation's culture and future. Remember, the interview is also your chance to decide whether you want the job.
Good questions to ask at the end of an interview:
- "What does a typical day or week look like in this role?"
- "What would you want the person in this job to achieve in their first three months?"
- "Who would I be working with most?"
- "What training or development do people in this team get?"
- "What do people enjoy most about working here?"
- "What are the next steps, and when can I expect to hear from you?"
Save questions about pay, leave and hours for later in the process, unless the interviewer raises them, or you need to know before you can go further.
Interview questions for your kind of job
As well as the common questions, every job has its own. Before the interview, think about what the work involves day to day, and prepare an example for each part.
- Trades and construction: expect questions about health and safety ("Tell me about a time you stopped a job because something wasn't safe"), the tools and plant you've used, and your licences and tickets. See our electrician, builder and construction labourer CV examples for the skills employers look for.
- Health and care: expect questions about patient safety, privacy, handovers, and how you deal with families and difficult situations. Some employers ask about your registration and practising certificate. See the registered nurse, healthcare assistant and support worker examples.
- Hospitality and retail: expect questions about busy shifts, cash handling, food safety and difficult customers, and often a short practical test. Employment New Zealand says it's acceptable for an employer to ask a barista applicant to make two or three coffees unpaid, but working a whole shift, or even a few hours, would likely be considered employment (opens in a new tab), which must be paid. See the barista, chef and retail assistant examples.
- Office, admin and customer service: expect questions about juggling priorities, the systems you've used, accuracy, and handling complaints. See the office administrator, receptionist and customer service representative examples.
- Tech and data: expect a technical conversation or a take-home task, as well as questions about explaining technical work to people who aren't technical. See the software developer and data analyst examples.
- Teaching and early childhood: expect questions about behaviour, learning needs, working with whānau, and often Te Tiriti. See the primary teacher and early childhood teacher examples.
Each of our CV examples lists the words employers in that job look for, which is a good guide to what they'll ask about.
First job, or a graduate role
If you don't have much work experience, use examples from study, part-time and seasonal work, volunteering, sport and whānau responsibilities. "Tell me about a time you worked in a team" can be answered with a group project or a netball season. Our graduate CV guide and page for graduates show how to turn those into evidence.
Changing careers
Expect "Why the change?" early on. Answer in a sentence or two, then show what transfers, using the new field's words. Our guide to changing careers in 2026 and the page for career changers cover how.
Moving to New Zealand
If you're new to New Zealand, interviews here may be less formal than you're used to. Interviewers often use first names, and they'll expect you to talk about your own achievements, not only your team's. Be ready to explain your visa and when you can start, and to describe overseas employers and qualifications in terms a New Zealand employer will understand. Our guide to visa sponsorship jobs in New Zealand and the page for international candidates have more.
Questions an employer shouldn't ask you
The Human Rights Act 1993 covers job interviews. Employment New Zealand says it's unlawful to ask a job applicant questions that indicate an intention to discriminate (opens in a new tab) on any of the grounds the Act covers. These include:
- age
- race or colour, ethnicity or national origins
- sex, including pregnancy or childbirth
- sexual orientation
- disability
- religious or ethical belief
- marital or family status
- employment status
- political opinion
- being affected by family violence
So questions like "Are you planning to have children?", "How old are you?" or "Where are you really from?" shouldn't come up. There are narrow exceptions in the Act, and some questions are fine when they're about the job itself. "Can you lift 20 kg, as this job involves?" is about the job. "Do you have any health problems?" isn't.
Questions about your right to work are legitimate. Employers must check that you can legally work in New Zealand, so "Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident, or do you hold a visa that lets you work here?" is a normal question.
If you're asked something that crosses the line, you can steer back to the job without making it awkward: "I can assure you that won't affect my ability to do this job. What I can tell you is..." If you think you've been discriminated against, the Human Rights Commission (opens in a new tab) can help.
Phone and video interviews
Tahatū's advice on video and phone interviews (opens in a new tab):
- Find a quiet spot, silence your phone and close anything that sends notifications.
- For video, dress as you would in person, and use a tidy or blurred background.
- Put the camera at eye level, make sure your face is well lit, and look at the camera, not the screen, to make eye contact.
- Test your camera, microphone and connection beforehand, ideally with a friend or whānau member.
- Keep your CV, notes, a pen and a glass of water nearby.
- If an employer calls unexpectedly and you can't talk, it's fine to ask to arrange another time.
One advantage of a video or phone interview: you can keep a few prompts in front of you, such as the headlines of your STAR examples. Just don't read from them.
On the day
- Arrive on time. Plan your route, allow for traffic and parking, and have a backup plan. Aim to be there about ten minutes early.
- Dress a step above the job. Tahatū says you don't need new or expensive clothes, but you should look smart and tidy. For a site job, clean work gear is usually fine. For an office, think one level up from what the staff wear.
- Bring a copy of your CV, the job ad, your questions, and any examples of your work the job calls for, such as a portfolio or licence.
- Take your time. Tahatū says it's fine to say, "Good question, let me think about this one," and to ask for a question to be repeated if you didn't follow it.
- Keep answers short and to the point, and give examples.
After the interview
Tahatū's advice on what to do after the interview (opens in a new tab):
- Send a thank-you email the next day. Thank them for their time, say you're still keen, and add anything you forgot.
- Let your referees know the employer may be in touch.
- Write down the questions you were asked, and note any you'd answer better next time.
- Follow up if you haven't heard back by the time they said you would.
- If you don't get the job, ask for feedback. Most employers will give a few pointers if you ask politely, and it's the fastest way to improve.
A short thank-you email might look like this:
Kia ora Aroha,
Thank you for taking the time to meet me yesterday about the Community Nurse role. I enjoyed hearing about how your team works with whānau across the Waikato, and it's made me even keener on the job.
I mentioned I'd send through my practising certificate, and it's attached.
Ngā mihi,
Mere
If you're offered the job
You'll be sent an employment agreement. Read it carefully before you sign. Employment New Zealand says every employee must be given a written copy and a reasonable amount of time to get independent advice (opens in a new tab) before signing. Tahatū suggests checking the start date, time and place, what to bring, and any conditions such as a police check, drug test or trial period. It's also the moment to talk about pay, if you want to.
If the agreement includes a 90-day trial period, it's only valid if it's in the written agreement and you sign it before you start work, as Employment New Zealand explains (opens in a new tab). You must be paid during a trial period, like any other employee.
Your interview checklist
- I've reread the job ad and picked the three or four things it wants most.
- I've reread my CV and cover letter, and I can talk about everything on them.
- I have five or six STAR examples ready, with results.
- I can answer "Tell me about yourself" in about a minute.
- I know why I want this job, at this employer, in one or two specific reasons.
- I've researched the salary range, and I know my notice period.
- I've read up on Te Tiriti, if the job is likely to ask.
- I have three or four questions to ask them.
- I know where I'm going, how long it takes to get there, and what to wear.
- I'll send a thank-you email the next day.
How SmartCVs helps you prepare
The hardest part of preparing is turning your own experience into answers. That's what the SmartCVs Career Coach is for.
Ask it what the interviewer is likely to ask, how to answer "Tell me about yourself", what to say about a gap, or what to ask at the end. It knows your profile and the jobs you've saved, including the requirements your CV doesn't answer yet, so it knows where an interviewer is likely to push. For "Tell me about a time..." questions, it helps you shape an answer with the STAR method from your own experience. It won't invent jobs, results or experience you don't have.
Keep track of where each application is with the job tracker: move a job to Interviewing when they get in touch, and keep your notes with it. And if you haven't applied yet, find a job on the job board and SmartCVs will tailor your CV for it, with a matching cover letter, so the interview starts from a CV that already answers what the ad asks for.
The free plan includes 2 coach messages to try it, and Pro gives you unlimited coaching. Want to see how your CV reads first? Try the free CV check.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common interview questions in New Zealand?
"Tell me about yourself", "Why do you want to work here?", "Why should we hire you?", "What are your strengths and weaknesses?", "Why are you leaving your current job?" and behavioural questions that start with "Tell me about a time...". Almost every interview ends with "Do you have any questions for us?"
What is the STAR method?
A way to answer behavioural questions: describe the Situation, the Task you had, the Action you took and the Result. Tahatū Career Navigator, the government's careers service, recommends it. Spend most of your answer on what you did, and give a result with a number if you can.
How long should my interview answers be?
About a minute for "Tell me about yourself" and most simple questions, and one to two minutes for a STAR answer. If the interviewer wants more detail, they'll ask.
What should I wear to a job interview in New Zealand?
Something smart and tidy, a step above what people in the job wear day to day. Tahatū says you don't need new or expensive clothes. For a trade or outdoor job, clean, tidy work clothes are usually fine.
Is it OK to say "Kia ora" in an interview?
Yes. "Kia ora" is a common, friendly greeting across New Zealand, and many interviewers will greet you with it. Use it if you're comfortable, and pronounce people's names carefully, including Māori names.
Can an employer ask how old I am in an interview?
They shouldn't. Age is one of the grounds in the Human Rights Act, and Employment New Zealand says it's unlawful to ask questions that indicate an intention to discriminate on those grounds. An employer can ask whether you can legally work in New Zealand.
Do I have to do an unpaid work trial?
A short task as part of the interview, like making two or three coffees, can be unpaid. Employment New Zealand says working a whole shift, or even a few hours, would likely be considered employment, and employment must be paid.
Should I send a thank-you email after an interview?
Yes. Tahatū recommends emailing the interviewer the next day to thank them for their time. Keep it short, say you're still interested, and add anything you forgot to mention.
