Canterbury

Find jobs, courses, business support and events in Canterbury, home to New Zealand’s digital city and largest agricultural region

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Free career advice

Are you looking for career advice?

Book a free one-on-one session with a qualified career expert who can guide you in:

  • looking and preparing for job opportunities
  • exploring study and training options
  • understanding your transferable skills
  • creating a personalised career plan

Online and phone appointments are available across the country. To request an appointment, call us at 0800 222 733 or email  direct_careers@msd.govt.nz

Appointments are available at the following Work and Income sites:

Linwood
Where: Work and Income, 154 Aldwins Road

Papanui
Where: Work and Income, 56 Langdons Road

Rangiora
Where: Work and Income, 4 High Street

Hornby
Where: Work and Income, 25 Shands Road

Sydenham
Where: Work and Income, 39 Durham Street South

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Work with Christchurch City Council

Are you interested in working for your local community contribute to making positive impacts?

Christchurch City Council offers diverse career pathways that contribute to the development and wellbeing of our vibrant city. From planning and infrastructure to community engagement and environmental sustainability, there’s a role for every passion and skill set. 

Currently, there are multiple job opportunities within the Council. 

Look for current vacancies (external link)

Work at Downers

Do you want to work for a leading infrastructure company?

Downer is the leading provider of integrated infrastructure services across Australia and New Zealand. You will be working in teams with a focus on delivering Transport & Infrastructure, Utilities, Social Infrastructure & Citizen Services, Rail & Transit Systems and Industrial & Energy services. You will be in an inclusive and flexible workplace that is both challenging and fulfilling.

Click on the link below to check out current vacancies available.

Apply now (external link)

Work with St John NZ

Explore meaningful work that can make a positive difference.

St John New Zealand offers a range of rewarding career opportunities that support community wellbeing and emergency response. Whether you're passionate about frontline care or prefer a role behind the scenes, there are plenty of ways to make an impact. 

Click on the link below to check out current vacancies available.

Follow for current vacancies (external link)

Selwyn District Council Jobs

Join Selwyn District Council who are making a positive difference for its residents. 

Selwyn District Council has roles available in everything from planning and consenting new developments to servicing new facilities, including libraries, swimming pools, parks and playgrounds and many more in-between. 

Click on the link below to check out vacancies available. 

Apply Online (external link)

Waimate jobs

Explore jobs in the beautiful district of Waimete. 

Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) in partnership with Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) and Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is working to support you into employment that ranges from full-time, part-time, seasonal work, casual jobs, apprenticeships to volunteer vacancies.

Explore jobs (external link)

Work at McCain Foods Timaru

Are ready for an exciting new opportunity in the food processing industry?

McCain Foods is a Global business specialized in creating great tasting food for over 60 years. You will be joining a team that is guided by a purpose to bring enjoyment to people's lives through great tasting food, bringing sustainable growth and positive change.  

Click on the link below and follow the website for current vacancies. 

Explore available vacancies (external link)

Work at Alpine Energy South Canterbury

Would you like to work for an organisation that is committed to their people, culture and community?

Alpine Energy offers many different careers in a variety of fields. You will be working within an environment that promotes collaboration and productivity. 

Click on the link below to find about current vacancies available. 

Explore available vacancies (external link)

University of Canterbury Jobs

Be part of a world-class organisation that aims at providing holistic education. 

At UC, you will have more than just a job with a range of benefits and support during your time working here. UC is committed to supporting the holistic wellbeing and professional development of its staff members.

Current vacancies range from Advisor roles, technician and teaching jobs. 

Explore jobs (external link)

More Canterbury jobs

Looking for other work? Check out Work and Income’s recruitment website Kimi Mahi Mai.

Kimi Mahi Mai, Find a Job is for anyone looking for work – you don’t have to be on a benefit. If you find a job you’re interested in, contact Work and Income to be put in touch with the employer.  

Visit Find a Job (external link)
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Bros For Change

Gain new skills and be empowered. 

An intensive 16-Week wānanga designed to empower rangatahi tanga (young men) aged 15-24. The purpose of Bros for Change is to give young people who have been labelled, a second chance to create real change through real talk with real people. Here you will be involved in:

  • Mahinga kai
  • Learning about the environment & conservation
  • Māori performing arts through kapa haka, learning Te Reo Maori, Karakia, and hīmene
  • Hauora (health and wellbeing) sessions and physical training
  • Reality therapy and Workplace readiness training
  • Wānanga on the marae and overnight camps (at least three per course)

Duration: Tuesday to Thursday (for 16 weeks), 8:45am – 3pm
Location: 132 Wainoni Road, Avondale, Christchurch 8061

Register today (external link)

Taking the First Step Course

Free confidence, well-being and pre-employment course for women.

Taking the First Step is running their course during the term from Wednesday - Friday from 9.30am – 2.30pm over a period of 4 weeks.

This is a confidence building and pre-employment course for women, that can help you:

  • discover your strengths and value
  • build confidence and self-esteem
  • develop skills to help you take the next step towards your future.

When: 3 days a week, over 4 weeks from Wednesday – Friday, 9:30am – 2:30pm
Where: Level 1, 242 Ferry Road, Waltham, Christchurch

Express your interest (external link)

Māori and Pacific events - MPAC

Experience and become part of ARA's Māori and Pacific community.

Are you part of the Māori or Pacific Peoples community and want to explore your study options, Ara is running special info sessions for you and your whānau. These events are a great way to find out what it’s like to study there and what support is available.

Ara’s Māori and Pacific Engagement team will be there to:

  • show you around and explain your study options
  • support you with applying
  • help you make connections once you start.

When: Thursday 18 September, 6pm
Where: 130 Madras Street, Christchurch

Register today (external link)

NZMA Youth Guarantee programmes

Study for free and move towards a brighter future with government funded courses.

If you're not sure what to do, take the first step with a Level 2 Foundation course or one of NZMA excellent Level 2 and 3 courses. 
If you are aged 16-24, the Youth Guarantee scheme gives you the chance to study free for up to one year. You can find courses in the following areas :

  • Building and Construction
  • Sport Recreation and Exercise 
  • Hospitality
  • Carpentry
  • Horticulture, and more. 

If you're Māori or Pasifika and aged 16 to 40, you could get a scholarship to study a Trades course for free. You'll also get career coaching, help finding a job, and extra support while you learn.

Enrol now or contact NZMA to find out more about these courses and your eligibility.

Find out more (external link)

LineTrust South Canterbury Scholarship Fund

Are you interested in a career in the electrical industry?

Do you dream about making a difference in the electricity distribution industry?

LineTrust South Canterbury are encouraging the potential of future innovators and individuals interested in the electricity industry. 

The scholarship will support students studying:

  • Computer Science 
  • Mathematics
  • Data analytics
  • Electronic or electrical engineering
  • Sustainability
  • Master of Science, or similar disciplines.

Applications close September each year.

Find out more (external link)

Learn Te Reo Māori for free

Are you a beginner in Te Reo or know some already, these courses can help you learn and grow in the Māori language.

This year, all five levels of Māori language courses at Ara Institute of Canterbury are free. 

The courses are taught by passionate and experienced Māori language teachers, and can be studied full-time over 19 weeks or part-time over a year. 

The only cost is a small compulsory student levy. All five levels start in February so apply now!

Find out more (external link)

Pre-Professional Programmes

Take the next step with one of Hagley's tertiary pathway Level 3 programmes.

Are you finishing high school and planning to continue your education. At Hagley, pre-professional courses are a next step beyond school to prepare students for entry into a variety of professional tertiary programmes within a nurturing environment.

Programmes range from health to design courses. 

Contact Hagley College at 03 379 3090 to enrol.

Find out more (external link)

Teaching and Early Childcare Programmes

Study at Te Rito Maioha that is committed to delivery of world-class childhood education.

With 60 years of experience, Te Rito Maioha has helped grow skilled skilled teachers across the motu. You can explore a variety of diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that are on offer in the following fields:

  • Montessori Pasifika
  • Home-based Care
  • Teaching
  • Education, and more. 
Find out more (external link)

Choose your course

Whatever level you’d like to study at, you can find a course to suit you in Canterbury.

Click on the link below to find the field of study and type of qualification to interest you. Qualifications range from certificate level 1-3 to doctorates.

Find your course now (external link)
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Business Buddies

Have you considered working with a business mentor? 

With a mentor you can step outside the day-to-day running of your business to take a look at your business as a whole.

Business Buddies is a new mentoring service established by The South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce where you can be matched with someone who is experienced in commercial aspects of business operations and ownership.

Find out more and register (external link)

Free online business start-up course

Exploring starting a new small business in North Canterbury?

Enterprise North Canterbury have developed a free online course that is accessible 24 hours per day and in bite-sized chunks so that you can learn at your own pace. It is packed with resources, advice, videos and useful links and will take you step by step through the process of getting started.

Explore more and register (external link)

Start-Up Guidance

Discover a free hub for business resources.

Business but Better is a free hub for business resources, created by ethical entrepreneur Brianne West. Here you can gain digital membership and entry into an active community of mission-led brands who want to sell out (without selling out).

You will receive guidance and resource towards starting up or growing a business that is financially sustainable.

Discover more (external link)

Your business and tax

Attend face to face seminars or webinars to guide you setting up your business correctly to meet your tax obligations.

Inland Revenue (IR) offers three practical sessions:

  • Starting a business? Introduction to Business offers information on the different ways to structure your business, expenses you can claim, and how income tax and provisional tax works.
  • Are you registered for GST or thinking of registering for GST? GST is to help you learn who needs to register for GST, what GST is charged on, what information must be recorded and how to send this to them, and ceasing your GST registration.
  • Are you employing? The Employers session covers who needs to register as an employer, and what information must be recorded and how to send it to IR.

With a choice of format, don't miss out and register today!

Follow for upcoming events (external link)

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