Anbody wanting to teach in New Zealand should start by applying for registration with the New Zealand Teachers Council. They should also request assessment of their qualifications by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

Both of these applications should be made as soon as possible. Without registration you can't teach and without the NZQA assessment you can't have your correct salary assessed.

However, it is not uncommon for teachers from overseas to be put on the rate allotted to unqualified teachers at first, even if their papers are in order.

Timing is crucial in getting a job. The New Zealand school year runs from January to December and is divided into four ten-week terms, with three two-week holidays and a six-week Christmas break. Most vacancies come up late in the year.

Applying for jobs from the UK can be difficult, especially before the scramble to fill posts in December and January. If someone in New Zealand is available to fill a vacancy then an overseas candidate’s chances are slim, especially without a face-to-face interview.

British passport holders have three options for entering New Zealand:

• Get a standard six-month visitor’s visa, then apply for a work visa once a job offer has been secured. However, those entering on a visitor’s visa must have an onward or return air ticket.

• Secure a job before leaving the UK. This enables you to apply for a work visa before setting out, removing the onward-flight requirement.

• Apply for residency, which permits UK citizens to stay in New Zealand permanently. Residency is decided on a points system that takes into account qualifications, age, funds and any job offers. This is a requirement if staying for more than three years.

Useful Resources

• Log on to TeachNZ

• New Zealand’s government-run equivalent of The TES is the Education Gazette 

• The accredited recruitment agencies are: Oasis Education, Select Education  and Education Personnel

• New Zealand Education has a guide to universities, colleges and schools in New Zealand

• Move to New Zealand has advice for people looking to emigrate to New Zealand.