In New Zealand, reference checks are a normal and important part of hiring. Many employers phone two or three referees before making an offer, and a strong, well-prepared referee can tip a close decision your way. Here is how to choose them, list them on your CV and get them ready.
Who makes a good referee?
The best referees have seen your work up close and recently. Employers want people who can talk about how you actually perform, not just confirm that you were employed.
- Your current or most recent manager or team leader (the strongest choice).
- A previous manager from a role related to the job.
- A senior colleague, client or project lead who knows your work well.
- For school leavers and graduates: a tutor, lecturer, coach, volunteer coordinator or part-time job supervisor.
Avoid family members and friends. Their opinion is seen as biased and can make an employer wonder why you could not name a manager.
How many referees, and where to put them
Two or three referees is common in New Zealand. You can list them in a short section at the end of your CV, or write "Referees available on request" and send their details when asked. Listing them can speed things up; keeping them back protects their privacy and lets you choose the best referee for each role.
For each referee, include their name, job title, organisation, how they know you, a phone number and an email address.
Before Referee: John, works at the café, 021 123 4567
After Mere Williams, Store Manager, Kiwi Grocers Hamilton. My direct manager from 2023 to 2025. Phone 021 123 4567, mere.williams@example.co.nz
Always ask first, and prepare them
Never list someone without asking. A referee who is surprised by the call, or who struggles to remember you, can do more harm than having no referee at all. When you ask:
- Check they are happy to act as a referee and confirm their current contact details.
- Send them the job advertisement and your latest CV.
- Remind them of two or three achievements you would like them to mention.
- Let them know when the employer is likely to call, and thank them afterwards.
What employers can and cannot do
New Zealand's Privacy Act 2020 shapes how reference checks work. Guidance from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner says employers should only contact the referees you nominate. If they want to speak to someone else, such as a manager you did not list, they must first get your express consent. If you refuse, they cannot contact that person anyway, although they can draw their own conclusions from your refusal.
Employers also need your prior consent before vetting checks such as qualification checks, criminal record checks, Police vetting (required for some roles) or credit checks. They may look at publicly available information about you, but the Privacy Commissioner says they should not ask for your social media logins or ask to befriend you online to check you out.
One more point to know: unless a referee's comments were given in confidence, the employer may have to share them with you if you ask.
What if you have no good referee from your last job?
It happens: a manager has moved on, or you left on difficult terms. Choose another person who saw your work in that role, such as a team leader or senior colleague, or a manager from an earlier job. Be honest if asked, and keep any explanation short and professional. When you leave a job, also ask your employer for a statement of service and, if they agree, a written reference to keep on file.
Put it all together
A tidy referees section is the finishing touch on a strong CV. Build yours with the free NZ CV builder, and read our step-by-step guide to writing a CV in New Zealand for the rest.
The quickest way to start: fill in a ready-made template, see the result live and download the PDF. You can even describe your background in a few lines and let the AI fill in the form, then check everything. Free, no sign-up.