References, gaps and long-term unemployment: handling the awkward bits

Choosing referees

Best: a recent manager or supervisor who can speak to your work. Second: a senior colleague, customer or supplier. Third: a volunteer coordinator, tutor, or community leader.
Avoid listing family members. Friends only if they have supervised you.
Include contact details: name, position, organisation, relationship, phone, email.
Make sure at least one is recent: if your last manager won't help, find someone who can speak for you.
If you were made redundant on good terms, ask your manager to be a referee, and ask if you can get a LinkedIn recommendation before leaving.

Asking someone to be a referee

Kia ora [Name], I'm applying for [type of role] roles and wondered if you would be happy to be a referee for me. I'd really value your view on my work on [project/area]. I'm happy to send you my CV and the job description so you know what to focus on. Please say if you'd rather not: I won't mind at all. Thanks, [Name]

Brief your referees each time: tell them the role, the company and what the employer will want to hear, and let them know when to expect a call.

Reference checks: your rights

A prospective employer should ask your permission before contacting referees, especially your current employer. You can say 'please don't contact my current employer until I have an offer'.
The Privacy Act 2020 gives you the right to ask what personal information an organisation holds about you, including some reference material. Ask the organisation's privacy officer.
Former employers must be honest. Information must be accurate, not defamatory and for a fair purpose.
Some employers only confirm dates and job title. That's allowed; don't read anything into it.
If you think a reference was unfair or untrue, contact Employment NZ, Community Law or the Privacy Commissioner.

Explaining gaps

Gaps happen for many reasons: redundancy, parenting, caring, illness, study, travel, visa issues or a hard market. You don't need to over-explain. Say what happened, what you did, and what's next.

Reason	What you could say
Redundancy and a long search	"After my role was disestablished in March I've been actively applying while completing a short course in X. The market's been slow, but I've had several interviews and I'm keen to commit."
Parenting or caring	"I took time out to care for my family and I'm now ready to return full time. During that time I [kept up my registration / did a course / did volunteer work]."
Health	"I took time out for a health matter, which is resolved and no longer affects my work." (You don't have to give details. Don't offer medical information.)
Study or retraining	"I completed a [qualification] to move into [field]."
Travel / overseas work	"I spent a year working in [country], where I gained [skills]."
Self-employment that didn't work out	"I ran my own business for two years. It taught me a lot about customers and costs, and I now want the stability of working in a team."

If you've been out of work for a long time

About one in five unemployed people in NZ have been out of work for over a year (Stats NZ, June 2026 quarter). You're not alone, and employers know the market is tough.

Fill the gap with something concrete: a short course, certification, volunteering, temp work, a community project, helping with a whānau business.
Update your skills in tools employers use (software, licences, safety tickets).
Take a temp or contract role to get recent experience and a new referee (see the temp and contract guide).
Ask Work and Income about Mana in Mahi, Flexi-wage, Skills for Industry and work brokers; some employers get subsidies to hire people who've been without work for a while.
Consider an employer approach where your CV isn't screened by software first: networking, direct approaches and agencies.
Look after your wellbeing. Long searches wear people down; see the looking after yourself guide.

Sources

General information only. Confirm with the agency for your situation. Spotted something out of date? Email help@unemployed.nz.