Employment Expo

We spoke with Matt Thompson, National Site Based Trainer at Cook Brothers Construction.  

What’s the coolest thing about working here?

We've built an awesome culture that continues to attract amazing people — all working together to deliver some truly remarkable buildings. The Otago team, in particular, has a tight-knit, supportive, and inclusive community. They’re a great bunch to work alongside and make every day on site a rewarding one.

What types of roles are you currently offering or looking to fill?

Roles pop up from time to time, so keep an eye on our Careers page. 
 
We offer a wide range of opportunities beyond carpentry – including Health & Safety, Quality Assurance, IT, Marketing, Quantity Surveying, Estimating, and Project Management. Our Apprentice Academy is designed to support apprentices right from their pre-trade training through to becoming qualified carpenters. 

But it doesn’t stop there – we’re committed to developing great people, and that means continued support and opportunities to grow your career wherever you want to take it. If you're keen to be part of a culture that values people and progress, check out our website and see where your future might lead. 

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to students wanting to work in your industry?

Before applying, take the time to research the company and understand where a career with them could take you. Look into the culture, the projects they work on, and the opportunities they offer. Talk to people – current employees, sub-contractors, or others already in the industry. Reach out to those you might know and ask questions. Hearing firsthand experiences is one of the best ways to get a feel for whether a company is the right fit for you.

What can students do now to make themselves stand out when applying for jobs?

Before applying or going to an interview, take the time to find out what the company does and what they stand for. It’s important that you want to work there — the right fit goes both ways. Come prepared with a few questions about the company and its people. It shows you’ve done your homework and makes you stand out as someone who’s genuinely interested.

Most importantly, be honest about your experience and skills. A company like Cook Brothers Construction values attitude and potential — we’re all about helping people grow and providing the training and support to help you get better every day.

We spoke with Flight Sergeant Lachie Haddon.

What’s the coolest thing about working here? 

The people! We are all equally motivated, driven and passionate about what we do. We also have a lot of variety, no two days are the same.

What types of roles are you currently offering or looking to fill? 

We have over 100 different roles that we constantly recruit for throughout the year. Come talk to us to find out more!

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to students wanting to work in your industry? 

Just do it! Get paid while you learn and travel!

What can students do now to make themselves stand out when applying for jobs like yours? 

Be proactive!

We spoke with Esther Undunty, International Consultant at Healthcare Australia.

What’s the coolest thing about working here?

If you're a Kiwi nurse thinking about crossing the ditch, one of the coolest things about working in Australia is the incredible variety of opportunities both professionally and culturally. You’ll find roles in everything from bustling metro hospitals to remote outback clinics, aged care, mental health, and even community-based nursing. The healthcare system is well-resourced, and there's a strong focus on work-life balance, with flexible rosters and generous leave.

But what really stands out is the chance to experience a culture that’s “same-same but different”. Australia and New Zealand share a lot values, humour, and a laid-back vibe but working here gives you a fresh perspective. You’ll encounter a broader mix of cultures, including a strong Indigenous presence and a diverse migrant population, which adds depth to your nursing practice and cultural competency. Plus, the pay is often higher, the weather’s warmer, and the beaches aren’t too bad either!

What types of roles are you currently offering or looking to fill?

If you're a nurse from New Zealand thinking about making the move, Healthcare Australia (HCA) has a huge variety of roles that could be just what you're looking for. Whether you're after a short-term adventure or a long-term career shift, HCA offers:

• Acute Medical & Surgical Nursing – High demand across public and private hospitals, especially in metro and regional areas.
• Mental Health Nursing – Opportunities for those with psych assessment and emergency department experience.
• Aged Care & Community Nursing – Perfect for nurses passionate about continuity of care and working closely with clients.
• Rural & Remote Contracts – For the adventurous, HCA offers surge deployments and travel nursing gigs in some of Australia’s most unique and rewarding locations.
• Midwifery & Maternity Care – Especially in regional centres and growing urban hubs.
• Clinical Care Management – For experienced nurses ready to step into leadership roles, with relocation support and career progression pathways.

What makes HCA especially appealing for Kiwis is the flexibility—you can choose casual shifts, locum contracts, or permanent placements. Plus, they offer support with AHPRA registration, visa guidance, and even help you connect with other travelling nurses, making the transition smoother and more social.

Whether you're chasing sunshine, career growth, or a bit of both, HCA helps you turn your Aussie dream into a reality—with great pay, lifestyle perks, and a supportive team behind you.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to students wanting to work in your industry?

If you're a student studying nursing in New Zealand and thinking about heading to Australia, the best advice is: be open to stepping outside your comfort zone and say yes to new experiences.
Australia’s healthcare system is similar in many ways to New Zealand’s, but it also offers a broader scope of practice, more diverse patient populations, and opportunities to work in everything from high-tech city hospitals to remote Indigenous communities. That means you’ll grow fast both professionally and personally.

Start preparing now by:

• Getting familiar with AHPRA registration requirements.
• Building your clinical confidence and get post graduate experience—ask questions, take initiative, and make the most of your placements.
• Networking—connect with Healthcare Australia, attend virtual info sessions, and talk to other Kiwi nurses who’ve made the move.

And remember, moving to Australia isn’t just about work—it’s about lifestyle. You’ll gain independence, meet new people, and experience a culture that’s “same-same but different” in the best way.

What can students do now to make themselves stand out when applying for jobs like yours?

To stand out when applying for nursing roles with Healthcare Australia, show that you’re adaptable, enthusiastic, and ready for a challenge. Be open to working in different settings whether it’s a busy city hospital or a rural community and highlight your soft skills like communication, flexibility, teamwork, and cultural awareness.

Start connecting with Healthcare Australia early, attend info sessions, and let your passion for nursing and adventure shine through. Showing that you’re proactive and genuinely excited about working in Australia can make all the difference.

We spoke with Healthvision Registered Nurse, Andrina Palmer, an OP Bachelor of Nursing graduate.

What’s the coolest thing about working here?

I started here as a new graduate RN, straight out of finishing my Bachelor of Nursing. The coolest thing about working here is the supportive team. If I have a question, a query, or just need a bit of support, I can reach out to anyone on the team, anywhere in the country, and get an answer to my question, or some moral support. I also love getting out into the community and spending time with my clients, as well as gaining clinical knowledge.

What types of roles are you currently offering or looking to fill?

We are currently looking for community support workers in Dunedin and the surrounding areas. A community support worker goes into clients' homes and helps them around the house or with personal cares after an accident, or longer term. A support worker has the privilege of getting to know people at a vulnerable time in their life and helping them recover from their injury. In the next few months, we may be looking for RN and OT graduates as far as Invercargill. Working at Healthvision as a new graduate nurse has been very rewarding, and I would encourage you to apply for a role if they come up. 

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to students wanting to work in your industry?

One piece of advice I would give is to keep an open mind about what kind of job you want to work in – nursing is so much wider than just the hospital, and you can have amazing experiences working outside of a hospital environment. 

What can students do now to make themselves stand out when applying for jobs like yours?

I advise students to prioritise learning interpersonal communication skills and making sure that you have a wide range of placement experiences. I work as a registered health professional and undertake ACC assessments, as well as go out into the community for wound care and catheter changes. My wide range of placement experiences gave me a strong grounding in a lot of different areas of nursing, and I am able to use my strong interpersonal communication skills to build rapport with clients from all walks of life.

We spoke with Sian Loughran, Program Coordinator at Smaller Earth.

What’s the coolest thing about working here?

It's not just any old job! By working at a summer camp, you'll develop leadership skills, professional experience and build your CV, all while making incredible friendships and having an unforgettable summer.

What types of roles are you currently offering or looking to fill?

At camp you can either be a General Counselor or an Activity Specialist. A General Counselor is responsible for supporting and leading a group of children through their everyday activities, ensuring that their needs are met and they are having fun – this is a hands on role that requires you to get involved and participate in all of the activities camp offers. Leading by example! 

An Activity Specialist teaches a certain skill to different groups of campers throughout the day, anything you are passionate about you can teach. Activities include horse riding, swimming, kayaking, archery, ziplining, rock climbing, singing, dancing, gymnastics, football, basketball, art... to name a few! You don't need experience teaching these skills, camp will provide full training to get you up to speed.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to students wanting to work in your industry?

Take the leap! Travelling to the other side of the world can be scary, but stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something new will allow you to gain and develop so many important skills for your future endeavours.

What can students do now to make themselves stand out when applying for jobs like yours?

Take any additional leadership opportunities that are available to you. Spend time on your hobbies and passions, the more experience you have in an area the better. Get some more experience working with children, coaching, babysitting or volunteering at a youth group - any experience working with children will be a great addition for your application.

We spoke with Raymond Clark, Operations Manager at Workforce Central Dunedin.

What’s the coolest thing about working here?

You get to help build Dunedin’s largest infrastructure building in a generation.

What types of roles are you currently offering or looking to fill?

We are looking at a wide range of skills in the finishing trades: flooring, painting, joinery but also concreting and fabrication.  

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to students wanting to work in your industry?

I recommend you join the Polytech to complete a Level 3 Pre-trades qualification in your chosen area. It increases your opportunity for employment and your ability to be productive with an employer from day one.

What can students do now to make themselves stand out when applying for jobs like yours?

Have a solid track record of reliability, present yourself well, and work on your people skills not only your trade skills.

Watch a video from Workforce Central Dunedin

We spoke with YES National Programme Manager, Trelise.

What's the coolest thing about working here?

You get to connect with people from all kinds of industries and backgrounds. Every YES employer brings something unique to the table, which means there's always something new to learn and someone interesting to meet.

What types of roles are you currently offering or looking to fill?

Our employers all offer different opportunities, ranging from internships to casual coffee dates. That's the beauty of YES: there's something for everyone, no matter where you're at in your career journey!

What's one piece of advice you'd give to students wanting to work in your industry?

Just give it a go. Put yourself out there, and don't be afraid to try something unfamiliar; you might surprise yourself. Finding out what doesn't work for you is just as important as finding what does.

What can students do now to make themselves stand out when applying for jobs like yours?

Be proactive. Reach out to businesses you're interested in, even if they're not advertising roles. That kind of initiative sticks with people, and when opportunities do come up, you'll already be on their radar.