The IT industry in New Zealand continues to thrive post-pandemic, making up 8% of New Zealand’s GDP and employing 5% of the workforce. As the technology industry grows at a breakneck speed, so does the demand for capable and skilled tech talent, both in a permanent and contract capacity. 

With a fast-growing industry, and border restrictions put in place during the pandemic limiting access to international talent, more jobs and opportunities are waiting to be filled, resulting in demand for more contractors in the same field. 

According to an article released by Stats NZ in 2019, an upward trend in contracting in New Zealand can be seen in the coming years as the world enters the ‘gig economy’ where more people enjoy short-term contracts or freelance jobs. 

So why are so many people choosing to work as contractors? What benefits do they enjoy? Why should they consider entering the New Zealand market? 

Below are five reasons you should consider becoming a contractor in the IT industry in New Zealand today: 

1. The perks of a flexible lifestyle 

Since the IT/technology sector in New Zealand is thriving now more than ever, more job openings and gigs await you in the field. If you are someone who enjoys a flexible work schedule and is not keen on committing to a permanent role, contracting in one of New Zealand’s most competitive sectors should be your next big career move. 

According to a survey conducted between October to December 2018, 77% of contractors in New Zealand said they had a lot of control over how their daily work was organised. This means more satisfaction when it comes to work and more freedom in terms of how you manage your time and tasks, and overall work/life balance.

Moreover, contracting provides opportunities to work with a variety of different companies and clients, allowing you to gain experience in different areas of the technology industry, which may lead to career advancement later on if you decide to go full-time once your contract expires. 

2. Contracting in the IT sector gives you access to new skills 

Contracting has many benefits, but one of the greatest ones is that it gives you access to new skills. If you are interested in learning something new, or want to develop a skill that isn't required by your current employer, contracting can be the perfect option to expand your skillset. 

The New Zealand IT industry is constantly changing and evolving, with new technologies being developed every day and newer versions of software being introduced regularly. In order for you to stay relevant in this field, it’s important that you keep up-to-date with these changes by learning new skills and gaining more experience. 

As a contractor, you have the opportunity to do just that on an ongoing basis because most contracts last between 6 months and 2 years – potentially giving you exposure to new systems, technologies and projects on a regular basis.  

3. The compensation remains attractive for highly skilled professionals

Contractors tend to earn more than permanent employees, and you are in charge of your working hours. You can choose which contracts you take on and choose how many contracts you take on over a period of time. The more projects you handle and the more skilled you are in your niche of expertise, the higher compensation you can get. 

According to an article released in June, more technology professionals in New Zealand have a higher chance of getting a pay raise due to skills shortage forcing employers to offer more competitive compensation than in previous years. 

4. You have more control over your time 

One of the best things about working as a contractor is that you have more control over your time. You can choose when to work, how much time off you need, and how quickly projects need to be completed. As such, this works well with those who have families and want to spend more time with them or travel often. 

The freedom that comes from being a contractor also allows for flexible schedules; it doesn't matter if your client needs something done right now or next week—you can work at any point in between without having someone breathing down your neck! 

5. Contracting means greater job satisfaction and less bureaucracy

Contracting in the technology industry allows you to pick and choose interesting or challenging projects that appeal to you personally. Since more jobs are available in the IT sector in New Zealand, there is a pool of opportunities that await you once you enter the market. This means you have the freedom to choose which projects to take on giving you a greater sense of job satisfaction. 

The best thing about contracting is that you get to work on interesting projects. You can choose the ones that are right for you and your career goals. You will be doing a lot of learning, but it won’t feel like work because the tasks are so engaging and diverse. 

Now is the time to consider working as a contractor in the tech sector in New Zealand! 

To summarise, here are the reasons you should work as contractor in New Zealand: 

• You can enjoy a flexible lifestyle. You get to choose the hours you want/need to work, create your own schedules, and decide when you want (and need) to work. 
• There is a pool of job opportunities in New Zealand’s IT sector giving you more options for career growth and skills enhancement. 
• Since New Zealand’s IT sector is entering a new era of growth despite the pandemic, more employers are starting to offer competitive pay and benefits. 
• You can work whenever and wherever you are in the world. 
• More and more contractors in New Zealand are reporting a greater sense of satisfaction in their jobs due to the freedom and flexibility offered by contracting. 

Conclusion 

Working as a contractor in New Zealand’s IT industry has many perks! If money is your driving factor, then contracting will not disappoint. But if it’s the type of work that inspires you or the freedom to choose your own direction, then you’ll not be short of options either!  

It’s all about how you want to live and how much control you want over your life—being a contractor in New Zealand’s thriving tech sector can help make that happen. 

Visit Recruit IT’s website if you want to know how you can start your contractor journey in New Zealand’s tech industry today!