Government job help in NZ: Direct Career Service, work brokers, Mana in Mahi, Flexi-wage and more

Direct Career Service

Free, one-on-one advice from qualified career practitioners about your skills, options and next steps.
Open to NZ residents aged 17 and over (and 16-year-olds not in school, training or work).
Especially helpful if you're unemployed, at risk of losing your job or returning to work.
Appointments in person at a Work and Income site, by phone or online. You create a personal career action plan and can stop whenever you want.
Book: 0800 222 733, direct_careers@msd.govt.nz, or ask your case manager or work broker.

Work brokers at Work and Income connect jobseekers with employers who have vacancies and can sometimes introduce you to employer subsidies and training. Ask your case manager for one, or call 0800 559 009.
Local councils, regional development agencies and Work and Income run job fairs and employer connections from time to time. Availability varies by region; ask Work and Income or your council.
Student Job Search helps students and recent graduates find part-time, seasonal and graduate work.
Workbridge supports disabled people and people with health conditions or neurodiversity into work, with free job-search and interview help.
MSD's redeployment support team assists employees affected by redundancy: RedeploymentSupport@msd.govt.nz.

These programmes are mainly for employers, but you can ask your work broker whether employers in your field have access to them.

Programme	What it is	Notes (check current rules)
Mana in Mahi (Strength in Work)	Employer receives a wage subsidy of up to $16,000 for 1 year (pro-rated if part-time), up to $2,000 for pre-employment training and up to $8,000 for industry course fees (where not covered by Fees Free or other funding), plus up to $3,000 in incentive payments to the employee. Employee must be on a permanent job and working towards an NZQA-approved qualification.	Employee must be eligible for Mana in Mahi. Ask Work and Income about who qualifies. The employer applies.
Flexi-wage	Wage contribution to employers who take on job seekers, with training and ongoing support, including for those who need extra help to get work.	Employer or jobseeker can ask; many Flexi-wage placements are for disadvantaged job seekers. Check eligibility with Work and Income.
Skills for Industry	MSD-funded industry-specific training to prepare jobseekers for work with particular employers or sectors.	Often delivered as short courses ending in a job offer. Ask your work broker what's running locally.
Apprenticeship Boost	Financial support to employers who take on or keep apprentices.	See the training guides; apprentices also can access support.
In-work support	Help for new employees and employers after the job starts.	Ask your work broker.
Support for disabled people / health conditions	Help with workplace modifications and in-work support.	Includes the Modification grant for the business.

A grant that helps pay for costs of finding or starting a job. You don't pay it back. Up to $1,500 in total in a 52-week period.

Covers clothing and transport for interviews, interpreter fees, tools or clothing for work, relocating for work, living expenses (e.g. rent, food, power) between your last benefit payment and first pay, tattoo removal and childcare for interviews or when starting work.
You must be 18 or older (16 and 17-year-olds may qualify in some situations), looking for paid work of 30+ hours a week (20+ for sole parents), a NZ citizen or resident, and either getting a main benefit, registered as a job seeker, or having a job offer or interview, or a short gap between jobs.
Your income and cash assets (and your partner's) are considered. You can't have received it in the last 52 weeks.
Apply: call 0800 559 009. You may need to complete an application form.

Ask for a work broker even if you're not on a benefit. Tell them your target jobs, locations and strengths.
Book a Direct Career Service appointment first if you're unsure of direction.
Ask: 'Which employers in my area use Mana in Mahi, Flexi-wage or Skills for Industry?'
When you apply for a job, mention to the employer that subsidies may be available and refer them to the Work and Income employer line on 0800 778 008. Don't mention it before they've shown interest if it feels awkward.
Keep track of who you spoke to and when. Ask for outcomes in writing.

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