If you are hiring for the first time in New Zealand, posting the role on FindMeAJob.co.nz is completely free — no credit card, no contract, and no hidden costs.
What do first-time NZ employers need to sort before advertising a job?
Before you write your job ad, a few things are worth getting right. You do not need to be an HR expert, but having these basics in place means you can hire confidently and legally from day one.
- Employment agreement — every employee in NZ must have a written employment agreement before they start work.
- Minimum wage — the adult minimum wage is currently $23.95 per hour. If you are taking on someone under a training arrangement, the training minimum wage is $19.16 per hour.
- KiwiSaver — you must contribute a minimum of 3% of an employee's gross wages to KiwiSaver as an employer contribution.
- Annual leave — employees are entitled to 4 weeks of paid annual leave after 12 months of continuous employment.
- Sick leave — employees are entitled to 10 days of paid sick leave per year after 6 months of continuous employment.
- 90-day trial periods — only available if your business employs fewer than 20 employees. It must be written into the employment agreement before the employee starts.
Source: Employment NZ — Minimum Wage
Source: IRD — KiwiSaver Employer Contributions
Source: Employment NZ — Annual Holidays
Source: Employment NZ — Trial Periods
How do I post a free job ad in NZ as a first-time hirer?
The process on FindMeAJob is straightforward. You set up a free employer account at the employer portal — it takes about two minutes — then write your job description and publish. There is no credit card required for a standard listing. Once live, applications arrive in your employer dashboard as AI hiring briefs, each one scored against your job description. You see a ranked shortlist rather than a folder full of unread CVs.
What makes FindMeAJob different from other free options?
Most free job boards deliver raw applications and leave you to sort them yourself. FindMeAJob automatically analyses each applicant's CV against your role and delivers a structured brief with a score. Candidates are NZ-only, so you are not sifting through applicants who cannot legally take the job. If you need more reach, optional paid upgrades are available — a Pro listing at $29 one-off, or Unlimited at $99/month — but neither is required to get started.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really not need to pay anything to post a job?
Correct — a standard listing is free. You do need to create a free employer account first, but there is no credit card required and no contract to sign.
What if I am not sure what to pay the new employee?
Start with the legal minimums (adult minimum wage is $23.95/hour) and check current market rates on the Stats NZ wages data or Careers NZ for role-specific guidance.
Do I need an employment agreement before the person starts?
Yes — NZ law requires a written employment agreement to be in place before the employee begins work. See Employment NZ for templates and guidance.
Can I use a 90-day trial if I am a small business?
Only if your business has fewer than 20 employees, and only if the trial period is included in the written employment agreement before the employee starts.
Where do I see the applications once the job is live?
All applications come through your employer dashboard with email notifications. Each applicant is presented as an AI hiring brief, scored against your job description.
Ready to hire your first employee without the big invoice? Create your free employer account at FindMeAJob.co.nz and post your listing in minutes.