How to Write a CV in New Zealand (Complete Guide)

New Zealand CVs follow their own conventions — different from Australian, British, or American documents. This guide tells you exactly what NZ employers expect in 2026, and how to make your CV stand out in a competitive market.

NZ CV vs Resume — What Is the Difference?

In New Zealand, the document is almost always called a CV (curriculum vitae), not a resume — though employers use the terms interchangeably in practice. For everyday professional roles, your NZ CV is a concise, tailored 2–3 page document covering your career history, skills, and achievements.

NZ CV Format — The Non-Negotiable Rules

• Length: 2–3 pages for experienced professionals. 1–2 pages for new graduates.
• Page size: A4. Not US Letter.
• Font: Calibri or Arial, 10–12pt body text, 14–16pt section headings.
• Photo: Do not include. Not standard in NZ and can break ATS parsers.
• Spelling: NZ English throughout — colour, organise, centre, programme, recognise.
• Date format: MM/YYYY or Month YYYY (e.g., Jul 2021 – Jun 2025).
• Layout: A simple single-column layout is the safest choice across different recruitment systems. Use tables, text boxes and graphics sparingly because parsing quality varies.
• Order: Reverse chronological — most recent experience first.

Section by Section — What to Include

Contact details

Name (large, at top), phone number, email address, LinkedIn URL (optional), city and region, NZ citizenship or visa status. Do not include date of birth, age, or marital status.

Professional summary

Three to four sentences at the very top of the CV, before any section headings. This is the first thing recruiters read and it must be tailored to the specific role you are applying for. Include: your professional identity, years of experience, most impressive credential, and key skills most relevant to this role.

Key skills

A concise list of 8–12 skills directly relevant to the target role. Pull keywords from the job description and include them explicitly here. This section is critical for ATS keyword matching — the language matters.

Work experience

Reverse chronological order. For each role: job title, employer name, employment dates (MM/YYYY format), city/region, and 4–6 bullet points of achievements. Lead with what you achieved, not just what you did. Quantify wherever possible.

Education

Qualification name, major/specialisation, institution, year completed. Include academic achievements if notable (distinctions, scholarships).

References

Include two professional referees (name, title, company, phone, email) or write "References available on request." NZ employers do check references — your referees should be expecting contact.

What NOT to Include on a NZ CV

• Photo
• Age or date of birth
• Marital status
• Salary expectations (these go in the application form or cover letter if asked)
• Fancy graphics, logos, or two-column layouts
• Irrelevant work history from 20+ years ago