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How to write an NZ cover letter (with examples and templates)

Along with your CV, a cover letter is essential to any NZ job application. Let's get you started.

Every New Zealand job application should include a cover letter.

This document is key to showing an employer you’re serious about their vacancy, and for demonstrating what you bring to the table . Despite its importance, many people aren’t sure how to write a cover letter – and their applications suffer as a result.

That’s why we’ve created this guide, giving you advice on everything from what to include, to how to lay it out.

We’ve also snuck in a few examples to make life even easier for you … aren’t we nice?

Cover letters vs. CVs: what’s the difference?

To understand the role cover letters play in job applications, it’s important to realise how they differ from CVs:

1. Purpose:

CVs give a broad picture of you as an applicant – providing details such as educational background and employment history . By contrast, a cover letter targets why you want this specific role, and how your skills and experience make you a great candidate.

While there will be areas of overlap as you select qualifications or abilities to draw out in your cover letter, it definitely should not be an elongated version of your CV.

An NZ cover letter should be no longer than one page, while CVs are usually between one and two.

The most obvious visual difference between these documents and CVs hinges around bullet points.

While your CV should be a bullet point bonanza, cover letters favour full sentences. That’s not to say you can’t have any bullets in a cover letter, just use them more sparingly.

You should include a cover letter with every job application.

What to include in a cover letter

1. your contact info, the date and the business’ address.

At the top of your cover letter should be:

• Your full name, contact details and home address
• The date you submit the application
• The business’ postal address

It should look like this:

Head up your cover letter like this.

2. Your opener

People worry about how to start a cover letter , but there’s a simple formula and structure for getting this right:

Make it personal : start with ‘dear’, and address it to a person – i.e. the hiring manager. If their name isn’t in the job listing, try a good old fashioned stalk of the company website, or ring the business and find out. ‘To whom it may concern’ is a no go.

Make it clear : organisations often list multiple vacancies at a time, so make it obvious which position you’re applying for. A sentence like, ‘I’m writing to apply for the Marketing Assistant role, as advertised on Trade Me Jobs’, will do the trick.

Make it punchy : next, add a snappy one-liner summing up why you’re interested in the role and what you’d bring to their business. Remember, you can go into more detail in the interview itself. For example:

3. Why them

A common cover letter mistake is to only focus on yourself. Before choosing you, employers want to know why you’re choosing them. This helps sort candidates who are genuinely passionate about their organisation from those who are mass applying to anything and everything.

Warning : this section is not about inflating the hiring manager's ego by flattering the company – be positive, but be thoughtful.

Now, it’s time to sell yourself.

This section of your cover letter is where you highlight your most relevant skills and experience.

You can draw on anything from previous work experience to certificates and qualifications. The important bit is linking whatever you mention to the job – simply listing skills is not the answer.

To do this effectively, you need to carefully study the job ad and identify what capabilities the employer values most. If your Trade Me Jobs Profile is up-to-date, you can then quickly skim your skills and experience to find those which most closely match the job description.

Top tip: the more detail you can give, the better. Helped raise sales? Great. Helped raise sales by 6%? Even better.

If you want to add some extra skills or information to this section, a bullet point list is a good option. Note : only do this after introducing your headline examples in full sentence form, as above, and keep your list to three or four concise bullets.

5. Signing off

The end of your cover letter should (politely) prompt the reader to get in touch with you to arrange the next steps. Make sure you end on a high, and continue the energy from earlier in your closing sentence, for example:

How to format a cover letter

With your content sorted, it’s now about nailing the visuals. Cover letters are usually easier than CVs in this regard, as they’re laid out like a traditional letter. However, there are a few things to bear in mind:

• What font should I use? Keep it simple, and the same as on your CV. If your font is hard to read, or too small, the letter will end up in the wrong pile.
• How long should a cover letter be? New Zealand cover letters should be under one page long.
• Should I use paragraphs? Would you read huge, unbroken chunks of text? We doubt it, so make sure to break up your cover letters into paragraphs.
• What are the correct cover letter margins? Leave these at their default setting so your cover letter has plenty of blank space, and doesn’t look crowded.

All done? Not quite.

Perhaps the most important stage of cover letter writing is proofreading. After all that hard work, you don’t want a few silly typos or poor punctuation letting you down.

So check it yourself, then get someone else to have a look, then have a final glance.

Once you’re happy, it’s time to attach it to your application, and hit send.

Al Hall is a regular contributor at Trade Me Jobs and Trade Me Property. He’s dedicated to helping people succeed in their aspirations to find their dream job and place to live.

Other articles you might like

A good CV can make all the difference to your job hunting hopes. Check out our must-read advice and free templates.

A good cover letter intro is like a good espresso – short, sharp and energising. Here’s how to brew one of your own.

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Develop a New Zealand-style CV

Most employers will quickly scan your CV to decide if it is worth reading in more detail. So it needs to make a good impression quickly.

What to include in your CV

New Zealand employers only want to see relevant information on your CV. They do not need a list of every job or course you have ever done.

Employers are most interested in your:

• technical and personal skills
• work experience
• qualifications and education
• community and volunteer experience.

They also like to see some evidence of how you have applied your skills.

It is best to only include relevant details of your skills and experience and to give brief examples of how you have used your skills in the past.

Skills employers are looking for | careers.govt.nz

Previous employers

Local employers may not be familiar with the organisations you have worked for overseas. It helps if you include a short description of organisations you list on your CV, like:

• the number of employees
• the location
• a website link so they can get more information if they need it.

The careers.govt.nz website has tips on how to write a CV for New Zealand employers.

How to write a CV | careers.govt.nz

Make a good impression

It is important to make a good impression of yourself as a potential employee, but not to appear too boastful about your achievements.

Many people make the mistake of writing a CV and using it for every job application. New Zealand employers expect you to adjust your CV to suit each job so that it highlights the skills that are relevant to the job.

People suggested that my CV was not what New Zealand employers would look at. Where I come from we prepare a CV in a different way: we give all our experience right from day one. Here, nobody likes to read a story! Darshan Desai

Cover letters

Most New Zealand employers expect a cover letter with your CV when you apply for a job. A cover letter is a ‘sales pitch’ about why you think you are ideal for the job.

Your cover letter should:

• briefly introduce yourself
• outline your main relevant skills and experience
• make an argument for why you are the right person for the specific job.

Just like your CV, it should focus on details that are relevant to the job you are applying for and it should be brief – no longer than 1 page.

Use a formal and persuasive style when writing a cover letter. It is a good idea to have a generic letter that you can adjust to match the job description you are applying for.

How to write a cover letter | careers.govt.nz

Your qualifications

Remember to bring your qualifications with you to New Zealand. If you are sending them in with an application, send a copy. Keep the originals safe and get copies made and certified. If you are in New Zealand, a Justice of the Peace (JP) can certify them.

Find a JP | Royal Federation of New Zealand Justices' Associations

Helpful resources

The careers.govt.nz website has many resources that can help you to make a New Zealand-style CV and cover letter. There is material to help you:

• understand the parts of a CV
• learn how to put transferable skills on your CV
• learn how to write a cover letter
• fill in job application forms.

CV and cover letter templates | careers.govt.nz

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Simple New Zealand

How To Master a Cover Letter for New Zealand [Examples & Tips]

Although you might don’t want to, yet in most cases, you need to include a cover letter when applying for a job in New Zealand. NZ cover letter is similar to other countries; it should show the company why you are the right candidate for the job. Take your time to write a personal and customized letter. Never send the generic one; this can ruin your application from the start.

A cover letter is a monumental part of your job application in New Zealand. A good cover letter should answer the main question, which is why the company should hire you. Additionally, it must provide information on how you can bring value to the company and help them with the challenges. A cover letter should showcase the relevant skills and experience you have.

In most cases, businesses and recruiters in New Zealand will require you to attach a customized cover letter. And it’s a good thing for you. In the end, the cover letter is a claim for the role – it’s your chance to highlight and match your experience against the job description and to clearly state what you can offer your potential employer.

If you are looking for a job in New Zealand, I would highly recommend going through the Job Hunter’s handbook made by Careers.govt.nz.

Table of Contents

Is a cover letter necessary in New Zealand?

Unfortunately, yes, you need to include a customized cover letter when applying for a job in New Zealand. Almost  half of the recruiters reject applications without a cover letter. A high-quality, customized cover letter tells the manager you are a dedicated professional. It should be only a page long.

A resume or CV alone can show your achievements and qualifications, but it can’t tell the story and explain why you choose this company in particular. That’s why we need a cover letter. It’s also a great tool to show your personality and motivation. It must show the employer you are an asset to their company.

Are you resigning from your previous job? Read how to write a proper resignation letter .

Resignation Letter in New Zealand (Examples + Template)

Tips and guidance for a winner cover letter

So what is a cover letter, and why it’s so important for your job application in New Zealand?

• Cover letter is your first point of contact with employers .
• It should fit on one page .
• It needs to explain why you want this job .
• It should relate to your CV .
• It should describe your relevant skills, experience, and accomplishments .
• It should show the evidence that you have researched the company and that you are the right candidate.

If you follow these simple statements, you should already be able to create a decent letter. Yet, if you want more, read this article to the end and follow the advice.

The winning tactic here is focusing on  them , not just on  you,  which will ultimately make you stand out from other applicants

When writing your cover letter, pay attention to the following:

• Do very extensive research about the company. Show it in the cover letter.
• Reflect on the company’s vision.
• Highlight specific achievements and successes that show you can address the challenges the employer is facing.
• Show your personality.
• Prove that you understand the challenges of the company.
• Explain your motivation and fit for the position.
• Presents how your skills and experience as a solution for the company.
• Create a list of job keywords that are mentioned in the job ad. Include them in the cover letter.
• Address the cover letter to the right person, e.g., the hiring manager or recruiter
• Be clear and concise
• Have a structure in the letter – beginning, middle, end
• Use active words to describe your work – accomplished, achieved, led, created, increased, identified
• Finish with a call to action and ask for a meeting.
• Try to be funny
• Send a generic cover letter — customize each one for the specific job.
• Forget your full contact details
• Generic and boring opening paragraph
• Copy-paste from the CV or job ad
• Start every sentence with “I”
• Write more than one page

Looking for a job? Check out the best recruitment agencies in New Zealand .

Best Recruitment Agencies in New Zealand 2024

1. Research about the company and position

Your knowledge about the company you are applying to work for is crucial. You must also know all the essential details about the advertised position and how your skills and experience fit in.

When someone reads your cover letter, they must be sure you are the right candidate for this position and for this company. That’s why you must include as many tailored to the job ad details as possible (yet not too many).

So, look for information on the company, its key products or services, its mission, and anything else that gives you an insight into them. Notice the most important details and mention them in the cover letter where appropriate.

You might want to check out the company’s website, its executives’ Twitter feeds, and LinkedIn profiles.

The culture of the organization is vital to note. This will influence your communication style. For instance, you might be more casual with start-ups or advertising agencies but more formal with banks and large corporations.

2. Show how you can help

A company hires you to solve a problem or to help with challenging tasks they are unable to manage. Point out the things you can do for a company and which potential results it might bring. Or maybe you already were challenged with similar tasks? Mention it in your cover letter!

3. Why are you a perfect fit?

The second paragraph of your cover letter should give a clear idea to the reader why you are the one and that you will satisfy the company’s specific needs.

Here you should match the keywords mentioned in the job ad with your skills and experience. You also must show the hiring manager why you want this job, not just any job. Include all the enthusiasm and passion you have.

Match your skills with a job ad

Highlight the key skills and qualities in the ad, e.g.:

• strong written and verbal communication
• technical skills
• analytical thinking
• team player or teamwork
• problem-solving
• time management
• knowledge of software & tools
• specialized or technical competencies
• high level of computer competency
• ability to work well under pressure
• enthusiasm and initiative
• excellent customer service

Include them in the cover letter with real-life examples.

Connections matter in New Zealand

About 70% of all jobs in New Zealand are so-called hidden. They are simply not advertised because hiring managers seek candidates within the company, their circle of colleagues, and people they know before they post a job ad. For that reason, having connections in New Zealand is very crucial.

You are more likely to be invited to an interview if you know a friend of a friend and they got a reference they you rather than just based on your qualifications and experience.

That might be good news for some and bad news for others. Nonetheless, it’s highly recommended to start networking as soon as you land in New Zealand. Join groups, participate in social and professional events, work on your Linkedin profile, and just be proactive.

And if you are lucky to know someone in the company you are applying to work for, mention it in the first sentence or two of your cover letter.

Don’t forget to include

Your cover letter shouldn’t miss these small but key elements:

Your personal value and personality

While skills and experiences are indeed critical, New Zealanders love human connection. If they find you an interesting and nice person, they are more likely to move forward with your application.

Try to be personal in your cover letter; tell them more unique things about you and your experience. Avoid being general at any cost.

Reflect on your experience that relates to the job ad and company profile. What challenges have you faced, and how did you solve them? You also want to provide evidence of the things you mention by using concrete examples, situations, numbers, and facts. For example:

“During the last quarter, my company was challenged by the supply shortage of …We have had 200% more orders than we can ever fulfill. To solve this problem, I was on the lookout for new suppliers for several weeks; after dozens of selling calls, I finally managed to sign a contract with our best supplier so far. I will never come across them otherwise.”

Your enthusiasm

In many cases, people don’t get hired because they aren’t enthusiastic and convincing enough. So, it’s not the lack of skills; it’s your desire and how you show it. If you make it as if it was your dream job, you are more likely to be invited. Avoid at any cost writing in a manner as you are doing a company a favor by working for them.

Hiring managers even say, “Enthusiasm conveys personality.” Some tips that help you to point out your enthusiasm include:

• Show that you have thought about the job and why you would like to work for them.
• Why is this company so brilliant? What they do the best? How they stand out?
• Mention their reputation, performance, and product.
• Remember, it’s about what you can do for them, not what they can do for you.

NZ cover letter structure

Following the formal structure when piecing together a cover letter is as much as important as its content. So, make sure you stick to New Zealand standards. Here is an example:

Dear [Ms. or Mr. Surname],

• Opening – Explain why you are writing this letter (add an interesting one-liner summarizing why you’re interested in the role and what you’d bring to their business.)
• Explain your interest in the job, show knowledge about the company and position
• Demonstrate your skills and experience related to the job
• Explain why you will fit into this role and which value you will bring to the company
• Sign off and offer them to contact you

Yours sincerely,

Your name – Andrew Black.

Make sure you check your cover letter via Grammarly for spelling and grammar mistakes!

Cover letter introduction

The introduction sentences will determine whether the hiring manager will read on or skip your resume. Start your cover letter in an unconventional way and hold the reader’s interest. Here are some tips for a stellar introduction:

• Highlight your achievements in the industry.
• Display your passion and enthusiasm.
• Mention some names and numbers.

A no-go cover letter introduction looks like this:

In response to your posting for the Digital Marketing Manager position, I would like to express my interest in participating in the recruitment process. As a digital marketing manager with 8+ years of experience, I am optimistic that I would succeed in this role.

Top cover letter example

Since you already know how to write the header, here is only the main part of the cover letter.

” I am writing regarding the Marketing Manager position you currently have open. As a marketer with over 5 years of experience managing small and larger teams, I would love to take a challenge and work for your company. Marketing is my passion, so it’s to achieve monthly goals, generate new leads & sales, and train the team for success.

In my previous role at (company name), I reached not only the set marketing goals but exceeded them by 80% and, in some months, even 120%. Your company (name) already has brilliant strategies in place, you use paid advertising, social media, and outreach, but I would add other channels to ramp up the reach and revenue. I am experienced and knowledgeable in the SEO scene; hence we can explore new opportunities for your business in this area of marketing.

My previous team of marketing assistants was great! I love to work with people and guide them in our current strategies. At the same time, responsibility for people does not make me stressed or scared but ignites my motivation to bring even better results so we can all be proud as a team.

Besides, my Master’s degree in Business taught me fundamental knowledge about organizations, management, strategy, and agility, which I would be happy to apply when working for (company).

It will be great to talk in person one day. You can reach me at 123456789 any time or via email at [email protected] to arrange an interview. Thank you for your consideration, I look forward to hearing from you.

Cover letter for a visa application

Im most cases, Immigration New Zealand, will request a cover or so-called motivational letter together with your visa application. This is generally a less complex document that you would write for the employer.

Your cover letter for a visa should include:

• Reasons why you are moving or visiting New Zealand
• How are you going to support yourself
• Demonstration of how you meet the criteria for the visa

The content of the cover letter will vary depending on the visa type you are applying for. If it’s, for instance, to join a partner in New Zealand, you should include your relationship to them and explain it briefly.

Therefore, your cover letter should target your visa category’s main requirements. 

When I was applying for a student visa, my cover letter described why I decided to study in New Zealand and what are my plans after my studies. Immigration New Zealand also mentioned in their requirements that the cover letter must include these details.

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At MBIE we want to make applying to work with us as clear and easy to understand as possible. Our inclusive application process encourages you to showcase your whole-self; often our richest life experiences are gained outside the work place - through volunteering, family life, or involvement with church and the community.

Here, it’s not about seeing how you perform under pressure, but rather fostering an environment where you feel comfortable to talk about all the different sides to you.  This helps us to create a diverse workforce that better reflects the population that we serve.

At every stage of our recruitment process, you’re supported and treated with respect. We work with you through the process to ensure any individual needs are accommodated – ensuring accessibility for all. We will communicate with you during all stages of our recruitment process.

Tukanga tono a ipurangi - Online application process

All available MBIE positions are advertised here on our careers portal. To apply you’ll need to register and complete the online application form, attaching your CV, a cover letter and evidence of eligibility to work in New Zealand.    

If you can’t find the right position for you, register your details and we’ll email you when suitable roles arise.

Tāu tāhuhu tangata me te reta mō te mahi - Your CV and cover letter

A well-prepared cover letter and tailored CV will help you making a good first impression.

Remember, we’re interested in understanding much more than just your professional background and skills. We encourage you to include any community activities, volunteer work or special achievements and interests outside of your working life – it may not seem much to you, but it helps us to build a picture of you as a person, not just a candidate for a role.

For more useful information on how to write a cover letter, CV and templates, please read these tips on Careers.govt.nz.

Whilst we have no expectation about a particular style or format here’s a few pointers to help you get started;

• Keep your cover letter short and tell us why you are interested and which key attributes you can bring to the role.
• Don’t repeat in detail what is already in your CV, however, referring to your CV is fine.
• Are your cover letter and CV easy to read? Think about letter font you will use, paragraphs, are sentences not too long, use of bullet points, etc.
• Use someone you trust as a proof reader.  Also, check for grammar and spelling mistakes!  
• Are you using a standard CV, or are there elements you can tailor or move around so it is easier for us to pick up your relevant skills and experience to the job you are applying for?

Whakatakatū uiuinga - Panel interview preparation

The interview panel will consist of two or three people and will take approximately one hour including time allocated for you to ask questions. We use competency-based interviews with behavioural questions.  These questions help us assess how well you can demonstrate the competencies that are required for the position. 

Behavioural questions take the form of “Tell us about a time…” or “Give us an example of when…” and require you to talk about specific examples from your work experience.  You should try to think about examples that are more relevant to the role wherever possible.  

A good way to answer these types of questions is to use the STAR format:

• Briefly outline the Situation or Task; 
• Describe what Action you took and why, 
• Explain what the Result or outcome was. This can include what you learnt and anything you would do differently in hindsight

As part of the interview process you may be asked to prepare a brief presentation or complete an exercise. This will be discussed with you prior to the interview. 

Ētahi atu Aromatawai - Other Assessments

Whilst assessments are not part of our standard recruitment process, for some (specialist) roles or leadership roles they may be required.  We will make sure that what we assess is relevant for the role and looked at as part of the whole process.  We will inform you what these assessments are, how they work and what you need to prepare or bring if applicable.

Ngā kaiwhakaū (mahi) - Referees

Obtaining references is an important part of our process.  In some instances, we may use a digital process provided via Xref , but in most cases we will speak to your referees directly.

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Before you can get a visa or enter New Zealand to visit, work or study we check that your reasons for coming here are genuine.

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What genuine intentions are

Evidence to include with your application, how we make a decision, if we decide your intentions are not genuine.

When you travel to New Zealand on a temporary visa you must have genuine reasons for coming that match what you tell us in your application.

We use all the information we have, including the information you give us in your application to confirm that you:

• plan to stay in New Zealand temporarily
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• can leave New Zealand at the end of your stay.

You must answer truthfully when you complete your visa application or New Zealand traveller declaration.

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If you are travelling on a visitor visa or visiting from a visa waiver country , your reasons for coming to New Zealand can include, but are not limited to:

• staying with family and friends
• playing amateur sport
• getting married.

If you have a special visitor visa, you must visit for the specific reason your visa was granted. For example, if you have a Medical Treatment Visitor Visa, your reason for visiting must be getting medical treatment.

Student visas

If you are travelling on a student visa, you must have genuine intentions to study in New Zealand.

To be granted a student visa to attend a programme of study that will last at least 3 months, you must:

• have an offer of place, or confirmation of enrolment if you are a returning student, from a New Zealand education provider
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• have medical and travel insurance for your stay, unless you are a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) student or have a New Zealand scholarship administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).

If you are under 18 years old, your offer of place must include confirmation that your accommodation complies with the ‘Code of Pastoral Care for International Students’.

Code of Pastoral Care for International Students — New Zealand Qualifications Authority

If you are travelling to New Zealand to work, you must have a visa that will let you work in New Zealand.

Unless your visa will let you work in any job, you must intend to work in the specific occupation, for the employer, and in the location listed in your visa.

Here are some examples of evidence that you can include in your application, that help show you have genuine intentions for your time in New Zealand.

Evidence of your travel history

Provide a copy of your current and recent passports, including:

• the photo page, and
• all pages with visa records, and entry and exit stamps.

If you live in a different country to your citizenship

If you live in a country that is not your country of citizenship, provide a copy of the visa allowing you to live in that country.

Declined visa applications

If you have ever had a visa application declined by any other country, provide:

• a copy of the letter from that country's immigration authority declining your application, or
• a letter explaining why your application was not successful, if the original letter is not available.

Evidence you are visiting family or friends

If you plan to visit family or friends in New Zealand, provide their:

• contact addresses and phone numbers, and
• their New Zealand visa or citizenship status.

Evidence of your travel plans

Provide evidence of your plans while in New Zealand. This could include copies of:

• hotel and accommodation bookings
• attraction bookings, or
• transportation bookings.

Evidence of your study plans

If you plan to study in New Zealand, you must provide:

• your offer of place or confirmation of enrolment in an approved programme of study with a New Zealand education provider
• evidence you have enough money to live on while you are in New Zealand
• evidence how you have paid, or will pay, your tuition fees.

If you do not need to pay tuition fees, or if you are eligible to pay by instalment, you must provide confirmation from your education provider.

You can also write a cover letter or statement of purpose explaining why you want to study in New Zealand. This will help us decide if you are a genuine student. If you are using an education agent or licensed immigration adviser they cannot write the letter for you.

Examples of things you could write about in your letter or statement include:

• what your study plans are and why you chose this course
• what you want to do after you finish studying, for example applying for a different visa or returning to your home country
• how you are paying for your study
• any gaps in your recent education or work history.

If you plan to apply for another visa (for example, a work visa) after your studies are finished, include this in your cover letter or statement of purpose.

Student visa application information sheet – first-time international students PDF 527KB

Student visa application information sheet – continuing international students PDF 461KB

Evidence of your home country circumstances

Provide evidence of your work, study and living arrangements. This will help us decide if you are likely to return to your home country at the end of your trip.

Depending on your circumstances, you could include:

• evidence of your employment, such as a letter from your employer approving your leave and confirming your return to work, and financial evidence of your employment
• evidence showing you are a student in your home country, such as a letter or student identity card from your school or other education provider
• evidence of your relationships with close relatives in your home country
• evidence of assets you own in your home country, such as your home or a business
• a retirement certificate or evidence you receive a pension.

Provide good quality evidence

Include all the evidence that you want us to consider. We decide each case based on the information and evidence provided. If you do not provide enough evidence it may take us longer to process your application, or we may decline your application.

You must provide genuine evidence. If you or your agent provide counterfeit evidence or false information, we may decline your application.

If your evidence is not in English, you should provide a translated copy, as this will help us to process your application faster.

Providing English translations of supporting documents

If you are applying online make sure your evidence is in an acceptable file format.

File formats for uploading documents and photographs

To decide if you have genuine intentions, we look at:

• the information and evidence you provide with your visa application
• the information you provide in your New Zealand traveller declaration
• any information we have about your personal circumstances
• any information we have about your previous applications.

Evidence you provide with your application

We look at evidence you provide with your application to check it:

• shows you meet all the criteria for the visa you are applying for, and
• supports your reasons for spending time in New Zealand.

Your personal circumstances

When we assess information about your personal circumstances, we look at:

• the strength of family relationships you may have in your home country or in New Zealand
• any personal, financial, work or other commitments you may have in your home country or New Zealand
• any circumstances showing you may not be able to return to your home country.

Your previous applications

We look at information from your previous applications and travel to New Zealand. This can tell us if you have:

• stayed in New Zealand after your visa expired
• breached your visa conditions
• have a family member who is in New Zealand without a visa.

We may not grant you a visa or allow you to enter New Zealand if we:

• do not believe your intentions are genuine
• believe you gave false or misleading information, or withheld relevant information.

If you are refused entry to New Zealand

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Score your ideal job now!

CV's and Cover Letters will typically take up the most amount of time and effort when preparing your ACE application to the NETP and NESP programme, so start preparing these documents to be ready before applications open on the 12th of April.

For more information about CV and Cover Letter preparation, head to careers.govt.nz or www.health.govt.nz/our-work/health-workforce/career-planning for more information and advice.

You are encouraged to communicate with and do some research on the employers that you have chosen to apply to. Information about your employers can be found by researching their career websites and asking key people in the organisation questions about their organisation. From this information you will come to understand that each employer has specific areas of practice that may be of interest to you. Some of these areas will be similar to other employers, some will be different and specific to that employer and the region that they cover; therefore, each cover letter should be very specific for the employer that you are interested in applying to. Cover letters should never be more than 1 page long appx 330 words. You should include:

Brief Introduction Brief summary of your skills and abilities: You should clearly communicate your nursing philosophy to your prospective employers

Your main reasons for choosing each employer: You should first clearly state your main reasons for choosing that employer as one of your preferred places to work. Tell each employer why you are interested in a NETP/NESP position at that organisation and what you can offer them. Note that employers cannot see the order in which you've ranked them. We recommend you pay close attention when writing your cover letters and ensure that you are not addressing them to the incorrect employer. Your application will not seriously be considered if you are applying to Whanganui DHB and yet you are talking about why you want to work for Lakes DHB.

Practice settings: You can also choose up to 3 practice areas or specialties that you are interested to work in, and again there will be some differences in practice settings offered across the 3 employers that you have selected. For each employer you've selected, you should make every effort to include the full reasons why you have chosen your areas of clinical practice and why you have set these in your order of 1/2/3. Employers will be able to see your choices of specialty in the order you have selected them. If you are highly focused on gaining a position in your first chosen specialty area, you should say so. If you would be happy working in any one of your 3 choices, again you should note that on your cover letters. Please be aware that employers may offer you an interview in a practice setting that you did not select. It is recommended that you do not decline an interview in this case, but you should discuss this in further depth with the employer.

Finally, include any other details that you think are relevant to your application for a NETP/NESP position. You should also consider who you address your cover letter's to, our recommendations are as follows:

You should address your generic cover letter to: Dear NetP Coordinator, Kind Regards, Applicant

Each individual employer cover letter should be addressed to: Employer DHB Dear NetP Coordinator, (Employer names can be found in the employer information section). Kind Regards, Applicant

ACE recommends addressing the letter to the NETP coordinator directly and include the full address of the organisation at the top left of your cover letter. This small attention to detail will signal to the coordinator that you are taking the time to address them individually. You can find an up to date version of their details in our employer information section. Remember to conclude your cover letter by thanking them for considering your application and leave all of your current contact information.

More than 150 experts sign open letter calling on Government to legalise all drugs

• Melania Watson

Related video: New Zealand's drug laws need to change as criminal justice approach fails. Credits: WBD / Getty Images

More than 150 experts have signed an open letter to the Government calling for the legalisation of all drugs in New Zealand.  

Harm Reduction Coalition Aotearoa (HRCA) presented the letter on Tuesday, calling on Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to end drug prohibition and legalise all drugs.  

The letter includes 155 signatures from experts in drug policy and criminology including professors, academics, researchers, clinicians and health professionals.  

More from Newshub

HRCA, an independent organisation which launched on Tuesday, is calling for a new "fit-for-purpose drug law".  

Founding member of HRCA Wendy Allison was instrumental in bringing drug checking to New Zealand.  

"It is clear that the Misuse of Drugs Act is not fit for purpose," she said in a statement.  

"After 50 years it has failed to reduce drug use or drug harm. In fact, every problem we have around drugs in Aotearoa has developed under prohibition."  

She said she believes the country deserves better, and "it's time for a new approach".   

HRCA chair Lachlan Akers added to the statement, saying a new drug law would "benefit our society as a whole".  

"It's time to stop funding criminal organisations by letting them control New Zealand's drug market. We need to end prohibition to prioritise the health and wellbeing of people who use drugs," he said.   

In the letter , HRCA calls for the "failed and damaging prohibitionist drug laws" to be rescinded and replaced by a new Psychoactive Drugs Act that would legally regulate the supply of all psychoactive drugs.  

"It's time to chart a new pathway forward - one guided by compassion, science, evidence, experience and human rights," the letter reads.  

"Aotearoa New Zealand has the opportunity to be a world leader with transformative, fit for purpose, evidence-based drug laws.  

"Together we can build a more just, humane and coherent approach to legal and illegal drug use in Aotearoa New Zealand."                                           

Signatures include those from eight professors, 31 doctors, 29 organisations and supported by experts from 14 countries across North America, South America, South Africa, Europe and Australasia.   

Health Minister Shane Reti has been asked for comment.

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Letters to the Editor: George St, Gaza and MMP

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War of words about George St unceasing

There is a well-known Māori whakatauki: "He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata! He tāngata! He tāngata!" (What is the most important thing in the world? It is people! It is people! It is people!)

Ani Ngawhika summarised this well when explaining about how the Kāi Tahu and settler narratives are interwoven into George St’s long overdue redesign ( ODT  10.5.24). Similarly following the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes the story of tangata whenua and other peoples is now an integral part of Christchurch’s architecture and place names.

Instead of denouncing the much needed upgrading of George St, we can celebrate that this part of Dunedin’s CBD is now a pleasure to explore and to shop in. Cities should be designed to accommodate people, not cars.

Playground scoffed at

I have had a look for myself at the children’s play area, literally built in the middle of George St. I had to go back for a second look because I could not believe my eyes.

There are two giant see-saws and another piece of apparatus which resembles a mechanical unstable platform. All of these items appear too large for children, built more for grown-ups.

Also the adjacent raised areas with wooden surfaces: difficult to determine their purpose. Maybe an area for tap dancing demonstration.

What an incredible waste of time and money. The concept of a children’s play area in the middle of the street is fraught with danger, even with a low speed restriction.

Churlish behaviour

A certain business owner who churlishly banned the previous mayor from his shop and campaigned against changes on the main street, believing loss of parking and a one-way system would ruin businesses, is somewhat muted these days.

I note his and all the other businesses in that block seem to be thriving.

Now that he is now a councillor, how does he feel that businesses in Albany St may lose their parking spaces courtesy of the cycleway and be imperilled because of this, or is this "not an issue" for him any more?

[Cr Brent Weatherall replies: I can’t quite understand whether Graham Bulman is advocating for parking spaces and businesses in Albany St or for cycleways. I am in total agreement with Tony Williams’ thoughts in his letter ( ODT  24.4.24) that Albany St is one of the more cycle-friendly streets in Dunedin at present.

All businesses do need convenient parking and accessibility for survival and I would be more than happy if approached to work with Albany St businesses that would be impacted by the introduction of the cycleway.

For your information I was not on the subcommittee that decided the parking changes in Albany St.

I don’t agree with their findings (which were not unanimous). However, the consultation period has been extended.

This means the final design for the street has yet to be decided and I sincerely hope a compromise can still be achieved.

There are now 8 x empty shops in the Farmers Block. In regards to your comment that businesses in the Farmers Block are thriving, I feel it’s a shame Spec Savers and Milburn Optometrists moved out of our block, which may have helped you see the reality of the situation with more clarity.]

Open minds needed, not blinkered ideologues

I would like to comment on the article ( ODT  8.5.24), which had a photograph of a group of Otago University faculty members, waving around a letter addressed to university management, requesting action on the genocidal actions of Israel in Gaza.

The definition of genocide, is a crime, where acts are committed, with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. Why are these morally bankrupt people, not applying the same standard to Hamas? A terrorist organisation which has as part of its charter the destruction of Israel and death to all Jews.

How can any educational institution, allow people who are so morally compromised, to have contact with young impressionable people? This group, would like to have free rein to replicate the disgraceful "rent a mob" protests, now happening in the USA and Australia, where Jewish students are in fear of their lives when on campus.

These faculty members will not open their minds to allow for legitimate debate, and will shut down any attempt at contesting their views. They are ideologues, who need to be rooted out of our educational system and replaced by people who have a moral compass, can think for themselves and that are not captured by group think.

Compelling comparison

Glen Morgan (Opinion  ODT  10.5.24) gives us a penetrating comparison of responsibility for failures at Boeing and the direction that "NZ Inc" appears to be taking. As I read his fascinating assessment, I couldn’t help but substitute the University of Otago for the above two institutions. The similarities are compelling.

A fair return on investment in 120+ MPs?

With the directive of the coalition government to reduce the number of public servants and consultants , a look at how many MPs are actually required should be considered.

The MMP system voted for in the 1996 election gave us 120 seats to allow for the mixed member representation, 72 electoral and 48 list seats. What plays out now is that the party vote determines who the government is and the electoral vote becomes irrelevant. An electoral MP toes the party line and no benefits to any region happen, so what do they do for the benefit of their electorate?

Running the government are 20 ministers in Cabinet and eight ministers outside Cabinet. Associate ministers are not from the back benchers, so what do the other members, roughly 90 of them actually do? It is time for MMP as a voting system to be reviewed, especially now when MPs are up for a generous salary increase.

Free the cone

I understand that loose herds of road cones have been observed in the urban landscape. Given these strange objects are charged, daily, to the rate/taxpayer at an average cost of $1.30 a day, each, plus installation, maintenance and removal , it would seem only humane to return them to peaceful retirement when, as is common, they loiter unemployed for months on abandoned roadworks?

Think of the river

To have multiple dairy farms, a known high water-use industry, at the driest place in the country defies logic. The sole source of water for these farms is the Manuherikia River. A modest river in flow at best — one does not need to be Einstein to see the outcome of this noses-in-the-trough practice on the health of this river.

Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email:  [email protected]

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Convicted double murderer Scott Watson’s art to be exhibited in Christchurch gallery

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Prison art created by notorious double murderer Scott Watson will be exhibited at a Christchurch gallery this month - around the same time as he appears before the Parole Board for his next bid for freedom.

Watson was jailed for life with a minimum non-parole period of 17 years for the 1998 murders of Olivia Hope, 17, and Ben Smart, 21.

The friends disappeared after boarding a stranger’s yacht early on January 1, 1998, after marking the new year with friends at Furneaux Lodge, a century-old, boat access-only resort in Endeavour Inlet. Their bodies have never been found.

He has always denied killing, or even ever meeting , Hope and Smart after New Year’s celebrations in a Marlborough Sounds holiday hideaway.

He has repeatedly been denied parole since he became eligible and continues to fight to clear his name.

His next appearance before the board is scheduled for the end of this month.

While in prison, Watson has taken up painting and carving to occupy his time.

On May 24 an exhibition will open at the Rei Gallery in Lyttleon featuring work Watson has completed.

The exhibition titled “in the public eye” will run until June 20 and has been organised by the Whakaraupō Carving Centre Trust.

The Herald has reached out to the trust for comment.

One woman has voiced her objection to the exhibition on the trust’s Facebook page, where the exhibition has been advertised.

“I want to see our local artists and carvers,” she said.

“Will you invite Ben and Olivia’s family and friends to hui first?

“He should rehab in private not given opportunities Ben and Olivia will never have.

“Where is the sense in this ... Watson did time because he did the crime. Just because he did the time ... doesn’t mean he gets to grossly use Ben and Olivia’s murder to profit.

“Please have a heart for the murdered Ben Smart and Olivia Hope, their family and friends and the kids and the mokopuna they never got to have.”

Whakaraupō Carving Centre trustee Tahu Stirling acknowledged there may be some who don’t agree with the exhibition given Watson’s offending.

“We’re aware of the case, and acknowledge all those who’ve been affected by it. And the community is quite challenged by it, I guess,” he told the Dominion Post .

“But for us, we want to promote art in itself, and it can be exploratory, and challenging, and that’s what art is all about in our society - to make us think about where we stand, and viewpoints, which can be opposing to what’s out there.”

The Herald has reached out to the exhibition organiser and the Rei Gallery for comment.

A Trust spokesperson provided a statement that said:

“‘in the public eye’,by Scott Watson, is an exhibition showcasing some of Scott’s whakairo and rauangi (carving/visual art) practices which he has produced over a 26-year period of incarceration.

“Curated by WCCT, ‘In the public eye’ will provide a visual narrative of Scott’s creative journey.”

The spokesperson explained that over the last 10 years the trust had supported both Māori and non-Māori prisoners with their release from prison, and with their reintegration back into their communities.

“This is done by providing a Māori kura kaupapa whose primary aims are uplifting tikanga, kawa, and Mātauranga. This is achieved by supporting the tino rangatiratanga and mana motuhake of individual creative practices, skill sets and aspirations.

“As part of the WCCT kaupapa, a community collective has emerged, Te Whare o Rei (Rei Gallery). This is a space for creatives to undertake Toi Hua, a kaupapa Māori Toi Principle which focuses on the exhibition of creative mahi to a wider group or community.”

The Herald on Sunday revealed Watson’s artistic side in 2008 , saying he was using his work to make a political statement protesting his innocence.

One work contains the statement “Rob Pope murders me”, apparently suggesting the man who led the investigation got it wrong.

Another of Watson’s paintings contains the phrase “A Commissioner’s Chickens”.

At the time, his father Chris Watson said his son’s works should not necessarily be interpreted literally.

“If he paints one with a boat, then of course that means people think he’s thinking about dropping people in the water. He knows that,” he said.

At the time, Chris and his wife Beverley were purchasing art supplies for Watson which they sent to his prison in Christchurch.

Chris said his son sent his work home to be given to friends and family.

Art experts compared Watson’s art to work by Picasso and Colin McCahon, though not always favourably.

Art dealer John Gow, director of John Leech Gallery, said Watson had painted some interesting pieces but “none would be hanging on my wall”.

Watson had obviously read some quality art history books in prison, said Gow, and had recreated works reminiscent of Picasso’s imagery.

Some of the “nicer” paintings were styled on the Russian Constructivist movement, said Gow.

Poorer pieces could be compared to McCahon.

”Well, it’s only like McCahon in that there are words over paint. It’s a political statement in the medium of paint. But it’s bad art.”

Jon Bywater, head of the Elam School of Fine Art at Auckland University, said Watson’s work was “at a beginner level”.

“Frankly, in themselves, the paintings are pretty uninteresting,” he said in 2008.

”The ones that stand out are the ones mentioning Rob Pope and Commissioner’s Chickens.

”Watson hints at a secret truth, ‘something that I know and you don’t’, because it’s cryptic.”

Anna Leask is a Christchurch-based reporter who covers national crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 18 years. She writes, hosts and produces the award-winning podcast A Moment In Crime, released monthly on nzherald.co.nz

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