Xero doubles company head count

Xero has doubled its employee list and is seeking 100 more as the company opens up new types of career options for New Zealanders.

The cloud-based provider hired 128 new staff during the calendar year, increasing its head count to 267, with the Wellington-based company looking to add more roles in the capital and Auckland before April 2013.

"Emerging global companies like Xero are opening up new types of career options for New Zealanders," says Natasha Hubbard, Xero general manager human resources.

"Software testing is becoming a valued and well-paid new career option."

"Customer care roles for computer software have also evolved into prestigious careers and help staff become product experts and responsible for building lifetime relationships with customers all over the world."

Shares in Xero last traded at $4.45 and the stock has gained about 58 percent this year.