New Zealand's economy has been growing strongly, while at the same time its law firms have suffered from the brain drain to the UK and elsewhere. The number of UK lawyers heading for New Zealand is a fraction of those who relocate to Australia each year, but the number is growing as people become more aware of the lifestyle benefits which New Zealand has to offer.
One disincentive for lawyers to consider New Zealand is the salaries on offer, which are some way off those in Australia and well below those in the UK. Additionally, many of New Zealand's leading companies and, in particular, its banks have been taken over by (mainly Australian) parent companies, which has had the effect of ensuring that the work handled by New Zealand law firms is primarily domestic.
That said, the willingness of UK law firms to hire Kiwi lawyers demonstrates that good quality work is handled by the country's law firms, and the lower legal salaries are offset by the cheaper property and lower cost of living offered in New Zealand. There are five or six firms in New Zealand which will consider sponsoring overseas lawyers but, as with Australia, they tend to only consider those with a top 10 UK (or US) firm background and those with transferable transactional skills are more likely to find a willing sponsor.
One disincentive for lawyers to consider New Zealand is the salaries on offer, which are some way off those in Australia and well below those in the UK. Additionally, many of New Zealand's leading companies and, in particular, its banks have been taken over by (mainly Australian) parent companies, which has had the effect of ensuring that the work handled by New Zealand law firms is primarily domestic.
That said, the willingness of UK law firms to hire Kiwi lawyers demonstrates that good quality work is handled by the country's law firms, and the lower legal salaries are offset by the cheaper property and lower cost of living offered in New Zealand. There are five or six firms in New Zealand which will consider sponsoring overseas lawyers but, as with Australia, they tend to only consider those with a top 10 UK (or US) firm background and those with transferable transactional skills are more likely to find a willing sponsor.
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