Freelance in New Zealand

Freelance in New Zealand: how freelancers pay taxes, get paid by foreign clients and find work, and which skills are in demand. Hire or offer services on Kits.

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The freelance market in New Zealand

New Zealand has a strong creative and tech freelance community in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, including film and visual effects, design, software and writing.

Taxes and legal status

A sole trader uses their IRD number and files an individual income tax return including business income. After your first year, provisional tax may be due in instalments. GST registration is required when turnover exceeds NZ$60,000 a year. ACC levies for accident cover are charged on self-employed income.

This is general information as of 2026, not tax or legal advice. Rates and thresholds change, so check them with the tax authority or a local accountant before you register.

Getting paid

Local payments use bank transfers. Foreign clients pay through PayPal, Wise or SWIFT.

bank transfers
PayPal
Wise
Stripe invoices

Skills in demand

visual effects and film
software development
graphic design
copywriting
tourism marketing

Tips for freelancers in New Zealand

Plan for provisional tax in your second year.
Film and VFX studios in Wellington hire freelancers per project.
Your time zone is far from Europe: agree on communication windows.

Hiring a freelancer from New Zealand

Local time in New Zealand is UTC+12 (UTC+13 in summer), so agree in advance on the hours when you are both available for calls. Describe the task, the deadline and the budget in your first message, ask for examples of similar work, and fix what counts as done before work starts. If the work is for a local audience, a freelancer who knows the language and the market will save you rewrites.

Kits for freelancers in New Zealand

Kits is an international freelance marketplace that is not tied to one country. Freelancers in New Zealand can publish services with a portfolio and a clear price, or respond to clients' jobs, and talk to clients in the built-in chat. The first listing on each account is free, and the site works in nine languages, from English and Spanish to Russian, Turkish and Georgian.

Popular categories

All categories

Design Development & IT Writing & Translation Marketing & SMM Video & Animation Business Music & Audio

Frequently asked questions

Help center

How are freelancers taxed in New Zealand?

Freelancers are sole traders with an IRD number, pay income tax and provisional tax, and register for GST above NZ$60,000. Rules change, so check the current rates with the tax authority or an accountant before you register.

How do freelancers in New Zealand get paid by foreign clients?

The usual options are bank transfers, PayPal, Wise and Stripe invoices. Which one suits you depends on the client's country, the fees and how fast you need the money.

Which freelance skills are in demand in New Zealand?

visual effects and film, software development, graphic design, copywriting and tourism marketing.

Can I find a freelancer in New Zealand on Kits?

Yes. Kits is open to clients and freelancers from any country. Search the catalogue or post a job, compare portfolios and reviews, and agree on the details in the chat.