[Carey]

When applying for jobs is a good idea to have a reference from someone who already lives in New Zealand? I'm applying for teaching jobs, so 2 refs. are past Head Teachers here in UK but wondering whether there is any benefit of putting the 3rd from a NZ'lander? This would be a choice between a GP friend I've known since 4yrs old, 2 family friends that I've known forever or a friend we first met in NZ 19 yrs ago. Apart from the latter, the people don't know me in a work/teaching capacity; its more that they have known me through family, occasional visits, Chrsitmas card news etc.

Any views on which would be most relevant?

[nippa&pippa]

For my OH's CV, we put my sister as "NZ'der" referee because she had been living in NZ for last four years now, but she only know my OH for 9years as my husband.
It's most likely that they don't contact your NZ referee unless necessary as in our case, they didn't bother contact my sister!

[kanatakiwi]

Personally I don't think it can hurt, and even if they don't contact them, it could help as its a "local" person.

[gil]

The UK Heads will be the most relevant and, I suspect, the most likely to be contacted. NZ employers are used to ringing UK at odd hours, or emailing for a reference. Plus some NZ employers will not be NZ-ers themsleves (my boss is from South Africa) so may not be bothered where your referees are based.
However, a personal reference as well as work references can't hurt, as kanatakiwi said.

GIl