Being a parent and trying to juggle paid work — even part-time — is a genuine challenge. With endless commitments and unexpected demands cropping up every day, finding something with a truly flexible schedule is rare.
Mystery shopping (and its higher-paying cousin, qualitative research) could be exactly what you’re looking for. You choose when to fit in your assignments, select how many jobs to take on, and work around your life rather than the other way around.
This guide covers everything you need to know about mystery shopping in New Zealand — what’s involved, what you can earn, and the best companies to sign up with right now.
What is a mystery shopper?
Businesses are always looking for ways to improve the customer experience and ensure their staff deliver consistently good service. In today’s world, one bad review can spread fast and do real damage to a business’s reputation.
Mystery shoppers are everyday people hired — usually through a specialist agency — to visit businesses as regular customers, assess different aspects of their experience, and report back honestly. The business uses that feedback to identify where things are going well and where they need to improve.
Who can be a mystery shopper?
Almost anyone can be a mystery shopper. Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent, student, retired, or simply looking for something flexible to fit around your existing job, you’re a candidate.
Most companies require a minimum age of 18, though some (including Octopus Group) accept members from the age of 15.
You’ll generally need:
- Your own transport to reach mystery shopping locations (though some assignments are online or by phone)
- A computer or smartphone with reliable internet access
- A phone with a camera, in case you need to take photographic evidence
What skills do I need?
Basic computer skills — You’ll need to complete online feedback forms and communicate with your agency. Nothing too technical.
Good written communication — Many assignments require detailed written reports, so you’ll need to be able to describe your experience clearly and specifically.
Attention to detail — Before each assignment, you’ll receive detailed instructions and a list of things to observe. The better your memory and focus, the more useful your feedback will be.
Agencies are also looking for people who are reliable, honest, able to meet deadlines, and good at following instructions accurately.
What kind of things will I be doing?
Every assignment varies depending on the business and what it wants to know. You might be:
- Visiting a shop to buy a specific product, then reporting on the experience
- Evaluating store cleanliness and the orderliness of product displays
- Giving feedback on the staff you interact with
- Dining at a restaurant and assessing the service
- Making enquiries about a loan, a service, or a product
- Visiting competitor businesses to check pricing
- Completing phone or online assignments from home
After completing the job, you’ll usually log into your agency’s website and submit your feedback online — a mix of multiple choice answers and written detail.
How much can I make?
Payment varies depending on the scope and complexity of the assignment. In-store visits typically start at around $20 per shop and can go higher for more detailed or time-consuming jobs. Phone and online tasks tend to pay a little less. You may also receive non-cash benefits like free meals, drinks, accommodation, or products — and you’ll generally be reimbursed for any purchases you make as part of the assignment.
The number of assignments you receive each month will depend largely on where you live. Those in larger cities tend to have more options, while rural areas may see fewer opportunities. Most shoppers can expect somewhere between one and five assignments per month per agency.
Note that mystery shoppers are usually considered independent contractors, not employees. You’ll still need to pay tax on your earnings.
⚠️ A note on scams
Unfortunately, mystery shopping scams are common and worth knowing about before you start.
Legitimate mystery shopping companies will never:
- Send you a cheque and ask you to forward the money
- Ask you to pay a fee to access assignments
- Contact you out of the blue with an unsolicited offer
Stick to the reputable agencies listed below, and you’ll be fine.
How to find mystery shopper jobs in New Zealand
There are several agencies actively looking for mystery shoppers across New Zealand right now. Here are our top picks.
1. OctoQual by Octopus Group
If you’re serious about earning well, OctoQual is where to start.
It’s the qualitative research arm of Octopus Group – one of the largest survey panels in Australia and New Zealand – and the rewards are significantly higher than standard mystery shopping.
What makes OctoQual different from regular mystery shopping?
Qualitative research involves direct conversation with a researcher rather than just filling out a form.
Think of it as getting paid to have a chat, share your opinions in depth, complete a hands-on activity, or do a mystery shop with a more involved brief.
Because your time and input are more substantial, the pay reflects that.
What can you earn?
| Activity | Reward range |
|---|---|
| Individual session (1-on-1 with researcher) | $60–$150 |
| Group session | $45–$90 |
| Central location testing (e.g. taste testing) | $80–$150 |
| Mystery shopping via OctoQual | $80–$150 |
| Eye tracking assignments | $120–$200 |
| Community projects (ongoing topic-based) | Varies |
Privacy is a priority. OctoQual hides your contact details from clients entirely and only shares your first name and first initial with researchers. This means you can give genuinely honest feedback — even on sensitive topics — without worrying about being identified.
Before you sign up, be aware:
- Registering your interest does not guarantee selection. Every project includes a qualifying survey first.
- You’ll need an Octopus Group account to participate. NZ residents aged 15 and over can register at octopusgroup.com.au.
- You must commit to attending confirmed sessions. No-shows are penalised, and your attendance history is recorded – poor attendance can affect future selection.
- One account per person only.
Register your interest in OctoQual here.
2. iShop for Ipsos
iShop for Ipsos is one of the most well-established mystery shopping platforms available to Kiwis, with projects covering a wide range of industries, including retail, restaurants, telecommunications, petrol stations, banking, and healthcare.
Most projects run monthly, so there’s usually something available. Online and phone call tasks pay between NZD $5–$15 per task, and in-store visits start from NZD $10 and can reach NZD $50 depending on the complexity of the brief. Payments are processed directly to your bank account.
Ipsos also has a dedicated app — iShopFor Ipsos NEXT — available on both the App Store and Google Play, which makes it easy to find and submit assignments on the go.
Click here to join iShop for Ipsos.
3. Hoed Research
Hoed Research is a New Zealand-owned company that has been operating for nearly 30 years — making it one of the most experienced mystery shopping providers in the country. They have a large national network of shoppers and assign jobs based on both location and the shopper’s background and areas of knowledge.
Assignments can be in-store visits, phone calls, or online tasks, and you can typically expect between one and five jobs per month depending on your location.
Note: Hoed has recently updated their branding and website, so if you previously registered under the old “Hoed Mystery Shopping NZ Ltd” name, it’s worth checking your account is still active.
Register as a Hoed Research evaluator here.
4. Mystery Shop Network New Zealand
This NZ-based consulting company focuses on measuring customer service and researching competitors for their clients. They are members of the international Mystery Shopping Professionals Association (MSPA), which is a good indicator of legitimacy and professionalism.
Assignments start at around $20 per shop. Note that payment is processed on the 20th of the month following completion of the work — worth factoring in if you’re expecting a quick turnaround.
Visit their website to register.
5. The Realise Group
The Realise Group is one of the leading mystery shopping companies in Australia and also recruits shoppers across New Zealand.
Jobs are posted on an online noticeboard and you can apply for any that suit your location and schedule. The number of jobs available can range from 1–10 per month depending on various factors.
Apply to become a mystery shopper with The Realise Group.
6. Customer Care
Customer Care is a market research business offering customised mystery shopper programmes across New Zealand and Australia. They take an individually tailored approach to training each shopper and use a rating system to evaluate the accuracy and detail of your feedback.
Sign up via their website here. (Note: if you encounter a login page rather than a sign-up form, try accessing the site directly at customercare.co.nz for current registration details.)
7. Service Integrity
Service Integrity has been operating across Australia and New Zealand since 2002 and is one of the more substantial players in this space, with over 50,000 registered shoppers in both countries, an Auckland office, and MSPA Elite accreditation (the highest global recognition tier from the Mystery Shopping Professionals Association).
Their clients include major names like ANZ, Woolworths, and Google.
Registration is free, and once signed up, you can log in to find assignments in your area.
Register as a mystery shopper with Service Integrity.
