Want to travel without quitting your job? More Kiwis are trying this

Wednesday, 24 December 2025

Twenty years ago, the idea that someone could put 'digital nomad' on their CV was barely a thought bubble.

If only you could guarantee the weather was sunny when you took your summer break.

Couple that with the thought of going back into the office after your time at the beach, away from the laptop. Perhaps it’s time to consider working remotely.

You wouldn’t be the only one wanting to.

Searches for remote roles on job seeker app Zeil have jumped 41% in the past six months, as workers look for ways to combine income with travel rather than putting their careers on hold.

Interest in remote work spans all age groups, but one group stands out.

“The biggest group we're seeing on Zeil searching [for remote work] is women under 35 in particular,” Zeil spokesperson Caitlin Langlands said.

She said many people built career momentum during the pandemic and they don't want to give that up, but they do want to see the world.

“They're trying to find roles within their career that can give them that flexible work overseas, maybe stay in New Zealand for a little bit, and just have that freedom,” Langlands said.

Remote work does not necessarily mean working overseas full-time, Langlands said, but rather having flexibility around location and when the work is done.

“Some remote jobs say you've got to be in certain time zones because of the work requirements,” she said.

Southeast Asia has emerged as the most popular destination for remote-working Kiwis.

“We're seeing a lot of people go to Southeast Asia,” Langlands said, naming Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and Bali as top locations.

This could be your office if you go remote.

“They've got a very low cost of living,” she said. “There’s a lot of other people there already, a lot of expats working remotely, so you can kind of find those communities.”

‘Lifestyle leave’ is growing

Beyond location flexibility, workers are also prioritising lifestyle benefits that allow extended travel.

Searches on Zeil for jobs offering ‘lifestyle leave’ have increased 54% in the four months to the end of October, mostly driven by women under 35.

Langlands said remote work and travel perks were becoming more important than salary.

“A common example… is that companies will allow you to take maybe up to three months off,” Langlands said.

She said companies are becoming increasingly open to negotiating such arrangements.

Flight Centre is seeing people take a year off work and Round the World bookings from January to October increasing by 62% compared to the same period in 2023.

People are staying an average of 30 days in the Philippines.

General manager, Heidi Walker said the tickets allow people to spend a few months in each continent and travel around, before moving on to the next.

For remote working, ticket sales have increased or extended trips taken in Samoa, Singapore, Dubai and the Philippines.

The average length of stay had also increased in key destinations, with people spending 19 days in Thailand, 18 days in Vietnam, 30 days in the Philippines, 21 days in Dubai, 34 days in France, 30 days in Italy and 21 days in Vancouver.

Walker said visa settings were shaping how people planned their stays.

“Most places have three-month visitor visas, so you can stop and stay for a good length of time,” she said.

“Digital Nomad visas give you even greater flexibility.”

“Anywhere with an internet connection can now be a remote working destination,” Walker said.

“Check visa requirements with your agents, but remote working literally opens up the world for you.”

Which jobs are best for remote working?

Many of the remote roles allowing this flexibility are with overseas employers.

“A lot of the remote listings are with big US tech companies,” Langlands said.

“They like having people around the world always on different time zones.

If you work from Taupo, you will have the Tongariro National Park on your doorstep.

“The tech industry is definitely the leader in offering those remote jobs,” she said.

Mid and senior-level IT roles has a lot of opportunity in remote working, followed by marketing and then sales, Zeil’s data shows.

For people outside those industries, entry-level options still exist in administration and data entry, Langlands said, and there is a rise in people hiring virtual personal assistants.

Where is good to remote work in New Zealand?

Most urban places, to be honest, due to the better connected wifi. Places that are more rural do not have as strong of a connection. Co-working spaces are popping up all over the country if you need a more formal workspace.

Though if you could work from anywhere, it would be good to work near a beach or a get out in nature. Raglan, in Waikato, has a beachy, laid-back atmosphere but its proximity to Hamilton and Auckland means that in-person office appearance is always possible.

Taupō, named one of the ‘most welcoming’ communities on Earth, has many cafes and accommodation to cater to travellers needing to work while seeing the sights. Destination Great Lake Taupō general manager Patrick Dault said: “There’s a bed for every head in Taupō and a warm welcome for everyone.”

Taupo is ideal for visitors who are on more of a budget to take part in tourism activities. Many of the top things to do are free, like swimming in Lake Taupō, visiting Huka Falls, walking in Tongariro National Park and biking the Great Lake Trails or the Tongariro River Trail.

Need more adventure in between emails? Wānaka is an adventurous remote worker’s dream. The Otago town also featured on the 2025 most-welcoming places list and is just an hour’s drive from Queenstown.

In the winterless north, Kerikeri is sunny and mild year-round and a great place to base yourself if you want to explore the beautiful Bay of Islands, Paihia, Russell and Waitangi, or venture further north to Mangōnui and ultimately Cape Reinga and the beaches along the way.