What Is the Best Job a Felon Can Get in New Zealand?

When someone leaves prison in New Zealand, finding a job isn’t just about paying bills-it’s about rebuilding a life. Many people assume a criminal record locks you out of work, but that’s not true. In fact, New Zealand law protects your right to work, and there are real, stable, and even respected jobs open to people with a past. The best jobs for ex-offenders aren’t hidden or risky. They’re legal, reliable, and designed for people who are ready to turn things around.

Government Jobs Are More Accessible Than You Think

One of the most overlooked paths is government employment. Public sector roles in New Zealand, including those in the Ministry of Social Development, Corrections, and local councils, actively hire people with criminal records. Why? Because these roles value rehabilitation, lived experience, and reliability over a clean record.

For example, roles like Community Support Worker or Rehabilitation Officer often go to people who’ve been through the system themselves. These aren’t entry-level jobs-they’re meaningful, well-paid, and come with training. A Community Support Worker in Auckland might earn between $52,000 and $68,000 a year. They help others navigate housing, addiction, or employment services. And if you’ve been there, you know what it feels like to be judged. That’s not just empathy-it’s a professional advantage.

The government even runs programs like the Employment and Training Initiative that connect ex-offenders with public sector roles. You don’t need a degree. You need to show up, stay consistent, and be honest about your past during the application process.

Trade Jobs: Skills Over Paperwork

Trade work is another strong option. Electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and welders don’t ask for background checks as strict as banks or schools do. In New Zealand, you can start an apprenticeship at 16, and many trades training providers accept applicants with criminal records.

Here’s how it works: You enroll in a Trade Training Centre-like those run by Te Pūkenga or local polytechnics. After completing your Level 3 qualification, you can work as a trainee under a licensed tradesperson. Within 3-5 years, you can become fully licensed. A qualified electrician in Auckland earns over $75,000 annually. A skilled plumber can make more than $90,000.

Employers care more about your work ethic than your record. If you show up on time, learn fast, and don’t cause trouble, your past fades into the background. Many former offenders tell the same story: “I didn’t get hired because I was a felon. I got hired because I fixed their leaky pipe before anyone else could.”

Warehouse and Logistics Work: No Questions Asked

Logistics companies like NZ Post, Amazon, and local distribution centers hire hundreds of people every month. These jobs don’t require background checks beyond basic identity verification. You’ll be loading trucks, scanning packages, or managing inventory-hard work, but predictable, safe, and steady.

The best part? Shift work. You can pick up day, night, or weekend shifts. Some people start part-time while rebuilding their credit or attending counseling. Within a year, many move into supervisory roles. Warehouse supervisors in Auckland earn between $60,000 and $75,000. There’s no college debt. No interviews with 10 people. Just show up, learn the system, and get paid.

Healthcare Support Roles: Compassion Counts

Healthcare isn’t just for nurses and doctors. Roles like Personal Support Worker or Home Care Aide are in high demand across New Zealand. You help elderly or disabled people with bathing, meals, and medication. These jobs pay $48,000-$60,000 and often come with flexible hours.

Background checks here are focused on violence or abuse history. If your record doesn’t involve harm to vulnerable people, you’re eligible. Many employers prefer candidates with personal experience-someone who’s struggled and come out the other side. It builds trust with clients who feel judged by society.

Training is short: a 12-week course through a community provider like St. John or a local health trust. Some programs even pay you while you train. That’s rare in other industries.

How to Start: What You Need to Do Now

Getting hired isn’t about luck. It’s about strategy. Here’s what works in New Zealand:

1. Get your record reviewed-Some convictions can be removed or sealed under the Clean Slate Act 2004. If you’ve been crime-free for 7 years and only had minor offenses, you may qualify.
2. Use free employment services-Organizations like Workbridge and Rehabilitation Services offer free job coaching, resume help, and interview prep. They know which employers hire ex-offenders.
3. Apply to government job boards-Visit govt.nz/jobs and filter for “no prior check required.” Many roles don’t even ask about convictions.
4. Start with short-term contracts-Temporary work through agencies like Hays or Randstad builds your resume fast. After 3 months, you’ll look like a reliable worker, not someone with a record.
5. Be honest-but strategic-If asked about your past, say: “I made mistakes, I took responsibility, and I’ve been clean for X years. I’m focused on building a future.”

What Jobs to Avoid

Some fields are off-limits by law. You can’t work in:

• Teaching or childcare (unless you get special approval)
• Law enforcement or corrections (unless you’re applying for a non-enforcement role)
• Financial services like banking or accounting (due to bonding requirements)
• Roles involving firearms or security licenses

But notice what’s missing? Most of the economy. Over 80% of jobs in New Zealand don’t require a background check beyond basic ID. That’s your playing field.

Real Success Stories

Mark, 38, served 4 years for a non-violent drug offense. He started at a warehouse in Otahuhu, earned his forklift license, and now manages a team of 12. He’s been clean for 6 years. No one at work knows his past unless he tells them.

Lisa, 29, was released after a theft conviction. She took a 12-week Home Care Aide course through a community program. Now she works for a nonprofit serving elderly Māori in Hawke’s Bay. She says, “I didn’t get hired because I was forgiven. I got hired because I showed up every day.”

These aren’t outliers. They’re common. New Zealand’s system is built to give people a second chance-especially if you’re willing to put in the work.

Final Thought: Your Past Doesn’t Define Your Future

The best job for a felon isn’t the highest-paying one. It’s the one that gives you dignity, structure, and a reason to keep going. Government jobs, trade work, logistics, and healthcare support roles aren’t just options-they’re pathways. They don’t ask you to forget your past. They ask you to build something better from it.

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to show up.

Start today. One application. One training course. One shift. That’s all it takes to begin again.