How to become a waiter/waitress in New Zealand

Why become a waiter/waitress?

Waiters/waitresses serve food and drinks in restaurants, hotels, clubs and other eating places.

If you love being around other people, then becoming a waiter or waitress could be a great job option. Wait staff are responsible for ensuring customers enjoy their experience, taking orders, delivering and clearing food and beverages from tables. They will also have other responsibilities within the workplace, including cash handing and helping with the daily running of the restaurant or cafe.

Alternative job titles

Food and Beverage Attendant
Wait Staff
Front of House Staff

Getting Started

Understanding the best way to become a qualified waiter or waitress in New Zealand looks complicated but is easy. Here are the steps you need to take to start your career as a waiter or waitress.

Step 1

Choose and enrol with a registered training provider

Step 2

Complete in a level 3 certificate program

Step 3

Progress to level 4 certificate program

Quick Facts

 

Average Pay

$40k - $55k per year

 

Length of training

35-40 weeks

 

Available Jobs

617*

*TradeMe Jobs, April 2022

Waiters/Waitresses need to be:

• Friendly, helpful and polite

• Good at serving people

• Good at remembering things

• Able to work well under pressure

• Quick, efficient and organised

• Reliable and punctual

• Able to communicate and work well in a team.

Careers and Industries (you will work in)

• Cafes

• Restaurants

• Bars and pubs

• Catering companies

• Hotels.