NZ Reference Letters and Referees — What Employers Expect

References are taken seriously in New Zealand. Most professional employers will contact your referees before making an offer — and a poor reference can undo an otherwise successful application process.

Who to Choose as a Referee in NZ

• Your most recent direct manager (most important)
• A senior colleague who can speak to your professional performance
• A client or stakeholder if relevant to the role

Personal referees (friends, family) are only appropriate for entry-level or first-job applications. For professional roles, all referees should be professional contacts.

What NZ Referees Are Asked

NZ reference checks are usually conducted by phone. Referees are typically asked: their relationship with you, how long they worked with you, your role and responsibilities, your key strengths, areas for development, whether they would rehire you, and whether you left on good terms.

Should You List Referees on Your CV?

Standard practice in NZ is to either include two full referee details on your CV, or write "References available on request." Listing referees is slightly preferred by NZ employers as it signals transparency and readiness.

Always Warn Your Referees

Contact each referee before including them in an application. Let them know: the role you are applying for, the company name, and what skills or achievements you would like them to emphasise. A referee who is prepared gives a significantly stronger reference than one who is caught off guard.