NZers shortlisted for world's best island job

Photo / AP

BRISBANE - New Zealanders are among the 50 people shortlisted for "the best job in the world" - a A$150,000 (NZ$195,000) gig as a tropical island caretaker.

Tourism Queensland (TQ) on Tuesday announced those who had made the cut in the first round of selection for the dream job that drew 34,684 applications from more than 200 countries.

Living in free luxury digs on the Great Barrier Reef's Hamilton Island, the successful candidate will spend six months exploring the islands and reporting on their experiences through their blog.

The top 50 candidates come from a host of professions, with a charity fundraiser, dance instructor, physiotherapist, chef, DJ, scientist and an actor all in the running.

They represent 22 countries, including the UK, US, Japan, Canada, Germany, Greece, India, China, Kenya, Guam, New Zealand and Australia.

Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said the A$1.7 million viral marketing campaign - which has already generated more than A$70 million worth of publicity for the Sunshine State - had taken on a life of its own, spawning online discussion groups, blogs and newspaper and radio coverage.

The website stalled on Tuesday morning as people flocked to watch the colourful entries online.

"There's everything from action and adventure, comedy, animation and a choreographed musical number that just stays with you," Ms Boyle said.

She said selectors had had a tough job whittling the application videos down.

"I understand it was a robust discussion but what it boiled down to was the motivation and professionalism of the applicants and their 'fit' with the job and Tourism Queensland," she said.

The Top 50 will now be narrowed down to 10 by TQ.

An 11th wild card entry will be voted for online.

They will then fly to Hamilton Island for the final selection process before the winner starts work on July 1.

- AAP