Some formal courses of study include a requirement to complete up to three years course-related work experience. The training provider will try to help you find suitable employment. There is some flexibility on how this employment may be obtained, eg. the possibility of suitable work post-education or the possibility of its being done in your own home country (under qualified supervision). 

The New Zealand Immigration Service will grant approval for you to work during the year if it is work experience related to course requirements. They may also give you permission to remain in New Zealand and work for up to two years in employment related to your course if it has not been possible to gain work experience during your studies and if this work experience is a condition of being awarded a certificate. 

If suitable work experience has not been arranged by the beginning of your stage four year study can still be undertaken. The required work experience must then be completed after study before a New Zealand Certificate can be awarded. You should inform The New Zealand Qualifications Authority of your arrangements. 

You need to apply for special permission from the nearest office of the New Zealand Immigration Service before you commence holiday employment over the Christmas period. Tertiary students and Year 13 students intending to go onto tertiary education are only entitled to the variation and may work only during the long summer holidays and only if you are taking a full time course of more than 12 months duration. Unless it is a requirement of your course of study, you are not permitted to undertake part-time employment during the academic year.

If your spouse wishes to work while you are in New Zealand an application must be made through an office of the New Zealand Immigration Service. Decisions on applications will depend on whether there are any unemployed New Zealand residents who can do the job which has been offered. For this reason, no definite assurance can be given whether an application would be successful.