• Skip to main content

MENU
  • Kea for business
  • Kea Connect
  • A service facilitating crucial introductions between businesses and industry experts
  • Kea for you
  • Becoming a member
  • Join Kea's global community and stay connected to home wherever you are
  •  
  • Jobs
  • Find and post local and international opportunities
  •  
  • Events
  • Connect with Kiwi through local, international and virtual events

  • Kea and our community
  • About Kea
  • Kea Partners
  • Contact
  • News and resources
  • Latest
  • World Changing Kiwi
  • Kiwi coming home
  •  
  • Kea Connect success stories
  • Businesses growing at home
  • Businesses going global
  •  
  • Global Kiwi
  • Launching your global career
  • COVID-19 recovery
  • World Class New Zealand
  • World Class New Zealand Network
  • Award winners 2023
  • Award winners 2022
  • Award winners 2021
  • Gallery 2023
  • Gallery 2022
  • Gallery 2021
  • Gallery 2019
  •  
  •  
  •  
Kea New Zealand

JOIN MY KEA
Kea New Zealand
JOIN MY KEA
  • Home
  • Kea for business
  • Kea for you
  • Jobs
  • Events
  • News and resources
  • World Class New Zealand
    • World Class New Zealand Network
    • Award winners 2023
    • Award winners 2022
    • Award winners 2021
    • Gallery 2023
    • Gallery 2022
    • Gallery 2021
    • Gallery 2019
  • About Kea
    • Kea Partners
    • Contact

Sign into My Kea

Register
Forgot your password?

Don't have an account?

This is available exclusively to our Kea community. Log in below or join our vibrant and diverse community of Kiwi explorers.

Join us Login

Returning Talent and Why They Are a Good Bet!

So, you are not sure about hiring this returning Kiwi talent that has been overseas and come home with their big ideas and grand views of the world? Will they fit into your culture after experiencing something new? Will they think they are superior to your current team? Will they want to settle back to life in New Zealand and want to stay?

Home Recruitment

Having been away from NZ for a minimum of two years and often over 7 (this is how long it takes to get a British passport), these returning Kiwis have learnt to be the new kid on the block. They have heard all the sheep jokes, had their accent (badly) copied every time they say fish (‘fush’). They have restarted their careers often for a lower salary or in a role they are more than capable of doing, because they have had to compete with their new local market. They have demonstrated they are willing to put themselves outside their comfort zone, be flexible, learn quickly and adapt to a new culture. Having done all of this and often multiple times for those who have worked in more than one country, now they want to come home. Trust me, they can fit into your organisation – we are New Zealanders after all, and these are some of our best traits. We love our country, have been patriotic and passionate about supporting anything home-grown while away and now we are home we want to add value in helping our Kiwi brands and business grow.

  • Many returners come home out of choice for lifestyle and family reasons, so have a vested interest in staying. If they came home after their 2 year Working holiday Visa expired, then they have done their OE and are more likely to be ready to settle down and commit to a role and employer.
  • They have often had exposure to organisations that work on a larger or global scale, so have garnered a range of experience and insight to potentially share with a new employer or team.
  • In the UK in particular, returners often become specialists in their field or industry and have in depth knowledge of their subject matter. In a larger marketplace a niche skill set sets you apart from the crowd and companies generally have specific role functions.
  • Taking a risk by moving to a new country requires a person to possess attributes of adaptability, flexibility, resilience, and desire to work hard to prove themselves as many have to start at a lower level to compete with the local market
  • Having experienced and developed a different view on the world brings fresh ideas and approaches and when combined with working in diverse organisations strong communication skills have evolved to speak to a broader audience or team.
  • The talent across our London and Auckland teams have often had experience in the London market place which is a financial services and technology hub with ex-patriates from the US/Europe/Asia and Australasia all working together in some of the globe’s most innovative, fastest-growing companies and markets. This is all valuable experience New Zealand employers can benefit from to compete on a national and global platform.
  • Many Kiwi’s initially return to regional areas be near and spend time with family but are often under the impression that they will have to move to Auckland to find the best work opportunities. There is a real opportunity for regional employers to tap into the talent who would like to stay local and maximise on ‘out of Auckland’ property prices and lifestyle opportunities.

Samantha Webster is a proud Kiwi, a London returner, and a Recruitment Professional with experience across both of these markets over the last 30 years. She is passionate about supporting and connecting talent to the best job opportunities in the New Zealand and UK markets.

After establishing Australasian Recruitment Company to provide exciting opportunities for New Zealanders and Australians arriving in London in 2003, which now has long-standing relationships with clients such as Google, Facebook, Imperial College, Mace Construction, Net-A-Porter, Deliveroo and Science Museum to name a few, she returned to Auckland and set up HOME Recruitment with another London returner, Minta Smith, in May 2018. HOME’s mission is to help returning New Zealanders make a smooth career transition and connect them with employers that recognise the value of their overseas work experience.

HOME Recruitment has spoken with over 800 people recently who are looking to return or have come home, and this number is set to increase over the coming months. Fortunately NZ employers are starting to recognise the opportunity this presents . This pandemic will be one of the biggest opportunities for New Zealand employers to hire some of the best talent coming back to New Zealand..

COMING HOME?

Join

Join the Kea community, NZ’s online home for returning Kiwis.

READ MORE

Resources

We’re here to support returning Kiwi. Here’s our list of resources to help you plan your return and next steps.

READ MORE

Jobs

Looking for a new role in New Zealand? Visit the Kea job portal and find your next career opportunity.

READ MORE

Related

Hospo owner turns tech entrepreneur Kiwi company Bustle was founded just over ten years ago in a Wellington coffee shop and cocktail bar. The cloud-based point of sale system was designed to make life easier for hospitality businesses.
READ MORE
Personal mission fuels Kiwi tech company Anvil Banez is on a lifelong mission to help his dad walk, seeing him launch his company Dennisson Technologies, which develops cutting edge artificial muscles to facilitate movement.
READ MORE
Returning Kiwi key to New Zealand’s global growth NZ returner Scott Maud talks to Kea about the lessons he learnt living in London twice and shares his advice for other Kiwi looking to build their own international skill set.
READ MORE

Filed Under: Kiwi coming home, Launching your global career Tagged With: Kea Connect, Re-Leased, resources, United Kingdom

Our Partners

ASB Logo

Kea nurtures a vibrant and diverse community who share a strong passion for New Zealand and the success of its people and businesses

  • Home
  • Kea for business
  • Kea for you
  • Jobs
  • Events
  • News & Resources
  • World Class New Zealand
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
JOIN MY KEA

© 2025 Kea New Zealand