How many hours per week can I work part-time in New Zealand during the term, and how much could I earn per week before tax?

The weekly work limit for eligible New Zealand student visa holders increased from 20 to 25 hours on 3 November 2025, so if you are researching older material online, double-check it reflects the current 25-hour cap rather than the previous figure.

Work-Hour Rules

• During term time: up to 25 hours a week, provided your visa conditions permit work; this depends on your specific course and visa category, so check your eVisa or visa letter directly.
• During eligible holidays: full-time work may be allowed, again depending on your course and visa conditions.

What 25 Hours a Week Actually Pays

New Zealand's adult minimum wage rose to NZ$23.95 an hour from 1 April 2026. At that rate, weekly gross pay scales as follows: 15 hours yields NZ$359.25, 20 hours yields NZ$479.00, and the full 25 hours yields NZ$598.75. This is gross pay before your employer deducts PAYE income tax and the ACC earners' levy, so your actual take-home will run somewhat lower depending on your total annual income and tax code.

Why the Increase Matters

The jump from 20 to 25 hours effectively raises your maximum legal part-time earning potential by 25 percent at the same hourly wage, a meaningful change for budgeting living costs against New Zealand's relatively high cost of living in cities like Auckland and Wellington.

This Information Is Also Available On

Immigration New Zealand's guidance on working on a student visa, and Employment New Zealand's minimum wage rates page.

My Advice

Treat 25 hours a week as your legal ceiling, not your target; consistently working right up to the limit alongside a demanding master's course load is where many international students see their grades slip. Confirm your specific work-hour condition on your actual visa letter before accepting any job, since not every study category carries the same entitlement.