Your Complete Guide to Temping and Casual Employment in New Zealand

In 2025, temporary and casual work continues to play an important role in New Zealand’s employment landscape, offering flexibility, skills development, and income opportunities for people at different stages of their careers.

What is Temping?

Temping, or temporary employment, means usually working through an agency like Adecco to fill short or long-term assignments for client businesses. Whether you’re a student, recent graduate, career changer, or traveller, temping allows you to gain practical experience and earn an income without locking into a permanent contract.

For example, graduates and career shifters often choose temp work to explore different industries before committing to a particular path, while backpackers and working holiday visa holders use temping to fund their travels while building soft skills.

In temping, you’re employed by the agency, which looks after your pay, tax, and compliance, giving you peace of mind that everything is managed correctly. Many also find that temp roles can open doors to permanent opportunities if they impress the employer. In our article “Job Hopping in 2025: Aotearoa’s Perspective on Career Changes” we explore how trying different roles through temping can actually strengthen your career journey.

What is Casual Employment?

Casual work is different from temping. In these roles, you’re employed directly by the business, not by an agency. Hours aren’t guaranteed and shifts can vary week to week, but this flexibility suits many people. Adecco ensures that candidates understand their entitlements for casual roles, including holiday pay loading and minimum pay rates.

What’s New for Temp and Casual Workers in 2025?

From 1 April 2025, New Zealand’s minimum wage increased from $23.15 to $23.50 per hour. If you’re in a temp or casual role, it’s important to check that your pay reflects this update. Read our article “NZ Minimum Wage 2025 Update” for details on how this affects you.

We’ve also launched the Adecco New Zealand Salary Guide 2025, giving you an insight into salary benchmarks across industries like logistics, trades, administration, contact centres, and IT. Reviewing this guide will help you understand your market value and prepare for wage negotiations if opportunities arise.

The Future of Temping and Work Flexibility

The workspace is constantly evolving rapidly with AI, digital tools, and hybrid models transforming job expectations. In our article “The Future of Work is Here”, we discuss how adaptability, upskilling, and digital confidence are crucial for temp workers to stay competitive in today’s market.

Staying motivated and positive is just as important. Our piece “How to Keep Motivated During Your Job Search” offers strategies for keeping your energy up, learning from rejections, and remaining resilient throughout your temping journey.

Making the Most of Your Temp Experience

If you want to turn your temp role into a permanent position, show initiative, reliability, and a willingness to take on extra responsibilities. Building strong relationships with your supervisors can also help – you might be first in line when a permanent opening becomes available.

Additionally, check our articles on the Adecco News page, containing information on what employers want, and what skills that are gaining traction that you should upskill for.

Final Thoughts

Don’t look down on temping and casual employment, as it can lead to a long-term career. These are opportunities to gain valuable experience, earn an income flexibly, and build the skills that employers seek in a fast-changing job market. At Adecco, we’re here to support you throughout your journey, whether you’re looking for your next temp assignment, a casual role, or a permanent career pathway.

If you’re ready to explore your next opportunity, connect with Adecco today and let us help you build a future that works for you.