If you’re moving to New Zealand from the UK, finding a job is only part of the equation. You also need to know which New Zealand jobs in demand match your skills, whether the role appears on the New Zealand Green List, and what that means for your New Zealand work visa or residence options.
Healthcare, engineering, teaching, construction, selected trades and ICT roles offer some of the strongest opportunities for skilled UK applicants.
This guide breaks down where the real demand is, which roles have priority residence pathways, what they pay and how employer sponsorship works.
Immigration rules change. Before accepting a job or planning your move, check the latest Green List, wage and Skilled Migrant Category requirements with Immigration New Zealand or a licensed immigration adviser.
What Are the Most In-Demand Jobs in New Zealand?
The Green List and the job market overlap, but they are not the same thing. MBIE’s Jobs Online data shows that online job ads increased in the year to the June 2026 quarter, with the strongest growth in manufacturing, construction and primary industries.
For UK migrants, the more useful question is which New Zealand jobs in demand also come with a realistic skilled migration or residence pathway.
With that in mind, here are our top 10 jobs in demand in New Zealand right now:
- Registered nurses and midwives. Both are Green List Tier 1 roles and require professional registration in New Zealand.
- Doctors and medical specialists. GPs, anaesthetists, paediatricians, radiologists and other medical specialists sit in Tier 1 and require Medical Council of New Zealand registration.
- Secondary school teachers. Secondary teachers are Tier 1 Green List occupations and may qualify for Straight to Residence once the job and registration requirements are met.
- Civil and structural engineers. Both sit in Tier 1, subject to the required qualifications. Some overseas qualifications may also need an Accord-standard credential assessment.
- ICT and cyber security specialists. ICT Security Specialist is a Tier 1 role, but specific remuneration requirements apply.
- Electricians. Electrician (General) sits in Tier 2 and requires Electrical Workers Registration Board registration or an accepted Limited Certificate.
- Construction project managers. This is a Tier 1 occupation, provided you meet the Green List’s qualification and credential requirements.
- Diesel mechanics and heavy vehicle technicians. Diesel Motor Mechanic sits in Tier 2. Eligibility is based on specified heavy-automotive qualifications or an eligible NZTA vehicle-inspector appointment.
- Dairy farm managers. Dairy Cattle Farmer / Farm Manager is a Tier 2 role and requires at least three years of relevant experience on a commercial farm.
- Aged and disability care workers. These jobs use the separate Care Workforce Work to Residence pathway rather than the Green List.
Note that the Green List is not a ranking of vacancies or salaries. It tells you which occupations have priority residence pathways. A job can be in high demand without appearing on the Green List, while a Green List role is not necessarily one of the fastest-growing jobs in the country.
What Is the New Zealand Green List?
The Green List jobs are occupations Immigration New Zealand has placed on a priority residence pathway. Green List jobs in New Zealand are divided into two groups:
- Tier 1: Straight to Residence. If you have an eligible Tier 1 job offer and meet the role’s registration, qualification and pay requirements, you can usually apply for a Resident Visa without first completing a set period of work in New Zealand.
- Tier 2: Work to Residence. These roles require 24 months of qualifying full-time work in New Zealand before you can apply for residence. An Accredited Employer Work Visa is one common way to complete that period, although other acceptable work visas may also count.
The Green List replaced New Zealand’s older skill shortage lists and is updated from time to time, so always check the current occupation and tier before relying on it.
New Zealand Green List occupations (current tiers)
| Occupation | Sector | Green List Tier | Notes |
| Registered Nurse | Healthcare | Tier 1, Straight to Residence | NZ registration required |
| Midwife | Healthcare | Tier 1, Straight to Residence | Recognised qualification and NZ registration |
| Medical Practitioner / GP | Healthcare | Tier 1, Straight to Residence | Medical Council of New Zealand registration |
| Secondary School Teacher | Education | Tier 1, Straight to Residence | Not restricted to STEM subjects |
| Civil / Structural Engineer | Engineering | Tier 1, subject to occupation-specific requirements | Recognised qualification, may need Accord assessment |
| Construction Project Manager | Construction | Tier 1, Straight to Residence | Specified qualification/credential requirements apply |
| ICT Security Specialist | Technology | Tier 1, with applicable remuneration requirements | Pay threshold above general median wage |
| Electrician (General) | Trades | Tier 2, Work to Residence | NZ registration required |
| Diesel Motor Mechanic | Trades | Tier 2, Work to Residence | Relevant Level 4 heavy automotive qualification or qualifying NZTA vehicle-inspector appointment |
| Dairy Cattle Farmer / Farm Manager | Agriculture | Tier 2, Work to Residence | At least three years’ experience on a commercial farm in a relevant role |
Confirm the current list and tier for your specific occupation directly on the current New Zealand Green List, as INZ reviews it periodically.
Healthcare and Nursing Jobs in Demand
Healthcare has a large presence on the Green List, with registered nurses, midwives, GPs and medical specialists all sitting in Tier 1. This means they can qualify for Straight to Residence if the role-specific requirements are met.
For nurses trained overseas, registration is handled by the Nursing Council of New Zealand, not the UK NMC. The process includes checks on your overseas registration and qualifications, English-language evidence, TruMerit verification and at least 1,800 hours of post-registration nursing practice.
UK-registered nurses with at least 1,800 hours of recent practice in the UK or another recognised comparable jurisdiction may not need to complete competence testing, depending on the Nursing Council’s assessment of their application.
Professional registration and your visa are separate processes, so it makes sense to start the registration side early.
High-Demand Trade Jobs for Skilled Migrants
Several skilled trades sit on Green List Tier 2, including electricians, plumbers, drainlayers, gasfitters, diesel mechanics and some fabrication and mechanical trades. These roles can lead to Work to Residence after 24 months of qualifying work in New Zealand, although the entry requirements vary by occupation.
Some trades require New Zealand registration. Others rely on specified qualifications, experience or pay thresholds, so it is important to check the exact Green List criteria for your trade rather than assuming the rules are the same across the board.
Carpenters are different. They are not currently on the Green List, but carpentry and a number of other trades can qualify through the Skilled Migrant Category’s Trades and Technician pathway.
That route generally requires:
- An eligible trade or technician occupation
- Pay that meets the applicable wage threshold
- A relevant Level 4 or higher qualification
- At least 2.5 years of relevant post-qualification experience
- At least 1.5 years of qualifying skilled work in New Zealand
Check Immigration New Zealand’s current eligible Trades and Technician occupations before relying on the pathway, as it is a recent addition and the eligible occupation list can change.
What Professional Careers Are Most Needed?
Engineering, ICT, teaching and construction management are among the professional careers most needed in New Zealand, with several roles qualifying for Green List Tier 1.
For engineers, the main issue is whether your qualification meets New Zealand’s recognised standards. CPEng registration is not required for every role, but Immigration New Zealand may ask for evidence that an overseas qualification meets the relevant Washington, Sydney or Dublin Accord standard.
Engineering New Zealand can provide a credential check where needed.
Teachers also need to check how their UK qualifications translate. UK Qualified Teacher Status on its own is not an academic qualification that NZQA can assess. Overseas-trained teachers will usually need a Teaching International Qualification Assessment, although the Teaching Council can consider some UK applicants through a discretionary route based on their qualifications and professional experience.
See the registration process for overseas-trained teachers for the current rules.
ICT roles can be more complicated. Some Green List positions, including ICT Security Specialist, have specific pay thresholds above the general median wage, so having the right degree or experience does not automatically make you eligible. Check the requirements for the exact occupation before relying on it as a residence pathway.
Which In-Demand Jobs Pay the Most?
Among the in-demand jobs covered here, medical and dental specialists have the highest clearly published pay scale, with base salaries of NZD 198,386 to NZD 282,645 from 6 July 2026. Cyber security, civil engineering, teaching, nursing and electrical work can also reach six figures, although their pay benchmarks are measured differently.
Pay Benchmarks for Selected In-Demand Jobs
| Role | Verified Pay Benchmark (NZD) | Source |
| Medical / Dental Specialist | 198,386–282,645 a year | ASMS specialist salary scale |
| Information Security Analyst / Cyber Security Specialist | 81,000–157,000 a year | Tahatū Career Navigator |
| Civil Engineer | 81,000–154,000 a year | Tahatū Career Navigator |
| Secondary School Teacher | 62,862–105,686 a year | Ministry of Education 2026 pay rates |
| Registered Nurse | 83,000–99,000 a year | Tahatū Career Navigator |
| Electrician | 66,000–107,000 a year | Tahatū Career Navigator |
The figures are not all the same type of measure. The specialist and teacher figures come from formal salary scales, while Tahatū reports estimated most-common pay ranges based largely on New Zealand government employment and tax data.
For ICT roles, keep salary and immigration eligibility separate. Tahatū puts the most-common pay range for information security analysts, which includes cyber security specialist roles, at NZD 81,000 to NZD 157,000.
However, Immigration New Zealand currently requires an ICT Security Specialist on the Green List to earn at least NZD 70 an hour, equivalent to NZD 145,600 a year on a 40-hour week, for the relevant Straight to Residence requirement.
So if you’re comparing the highest paying jobs in New Zealand, medical and dental specialists clearly sit at the top of this group. For the other roles, use the published pay benchmark alongside the Green List requirements for that occupation rather than assuming the salary range itself determines visa eligibility.
How Do You Find Sponsored Jobs in New Zealand?
To find sponsored jobs in New Zealand, focus on employers accredited by Immigration New Zealand and roles that match a valid skilled visa pathway. For migrants who need a temporary employer-linked visa first, the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is the main route. The job will generally need to offer at least 30 hours a week.
A practical way to search is:
- Check whether your occupation qualifies through the Green List, Skilled Migrant Category or another skilled pathway.
- Confirm the qualification, registration, experience and pay requirements for that role.
- Search for vacancies where the employer is open to overseas applicants.
- Check the company on Immigration New Zealand’s accredited employer list.
- Make sure the written offer meets the hours, pay and other conditions required for your visa.
- Never pay an employer for a job offer.
Accredited employers must cover their own recruitment, accreditation and job-check costs and cannot pass these charges on to you. You may still need to pay your own visa application fee, immigration adviser costs and travel expenses. Immigration New Zealand explains the split in its AEWV employer responsibilities guidance.
Which In-Demand Jobs Can Lead to Residence?
Tier 1 Green List jobs offer the fastest route to residence, while Tier 2 roles generally require 24 months of qualifying work first. Skilled workers outside the Green List may still qualify through the Skilled Migrant Category, often searched as the New Zealand skilled migrant visa.
Immigration New Zealand’s 2026 Skilled Migrant Category changes added Skilled Work Experience and Trades and Technician pathways alongside the existing points-based route, giving experienced workers and eligible tradespeople additional ways to qualify.
Residence Pathways for Skilled Workers
| Pathway | Who It Fits | Work Required Before Residence | Result |
| Green List Straight to Residence | Tier 1 occupations | None required before applying | Resident Visa |
| Green List Work to Residence | Tier 2 occupations | 24 months of qualifying NZ work | Resident Visa |
| Skilled Migrant Category, points-based | Skilled workers meeting the points test | Depends on how the required points are earned | Resident Visa |
| Skilled Migrant Category, Skilled Work Experience | Experienced skilled workers | At least 3 years relevant experience + 2 years qualifying skilled NZ work* | Resident Visa |
| Skilled Migrant Category, Trades and Technician | Eligible trades and technical occupations | At least 2.5 years relevant post-qualification experience + 1.5 years qualifying skilled NZ work | Resident Visa |
| Care Workforce Work to Residence | Eligible care and support occupations | 24 months of qualifying care work | Resident Visa |
*The standard Skilled Work Experience route has those requirements, with additional/different conditions for occupations on the amber list. INZ confirms both pathways are in effect.
The Accredited Employer Work Visa isn’t a residence visa. It’s a temporary work visa that can provide the New Zealand employment needed for some Work to Residence and Skilled Migrant Category pathways.
Resident Visa vs Permanent Resident Visa
A Resident Visa and a Permanent Resident Visa are not the same thing. Green List and Skilled Migrant Category pathways normally give you a Resident Visa first. You can generally apply for a Permanent Resident Visa after holding residence for at least two years and meeting Immigration New Zealand’s commitment requirements.
One way to meet that test is to have spent at least 184 days in New Zealand in each of the previous two years.
A Green List job also does not guarantee approval. You still need to meet the requirements for the occupation and visa, which can include qualifications, professional registration, pay thresholds, age, health, character and English-language criteria.
Planning Your Move Once You Have a Job Offer
Once the job offer is in writing and your visa route is clear, you can start planning the move around a real start date.
That makes it much easier to line up packing, shipping to New Zealand, temporary accommodation and your arrival without committing too early. Avoid booking around a provisional job conversation or estimated visa timing, since either can still move.
Expert Viewpoint
PSS has specialised in international removals for more than 40 years, helps thousands of customers move overseas each year, and is a member of BAR Overseas Group and the FIDI Global Alliance, with FAIM accreditation.
For anyone moving through a Green List or Skilled Migrant Category route, the safest approach is to keep the immigration timeline and the removals timeline separate until the job offer and visa path are clear.
Once those pieces are confirmed, you can plan your removals to New Zealand from the UK around the actual start date instead of committing too early.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for jobs in New Zealand from the UK?
To apply for jobs in New Zealand from the UK, first identify roles that qualify through the Green List or Skilled Migrant Category. Then target accredited employers and New Zealand job boards. If your occupation requires registration or qualification assessment, complete that process early so you can secure a compliant written job offer.
What is the New Zealand Green List?
The New Zealand Green List is Immigration New Zealand’s list of occupations with priority residence pathways. Tier 1 roles can qualify for Straight to Residence, while Tier 2 roles can qualify for Work to Residence after 24 months of eligible New Zealand work. The Green List is not a ranking of vacancies or salaries.
Is the New Zealand skill shortage list the same as the Green List?
No. The New Zealand skill shortage list is not the same as the Green List. The older skill shortage lists were replaced by the Green List, which now identifies occupations eligible for priority residence pathways. Separate routes also exist, including the Care Workforce Work to Residence and Skilled Migrant Category pathways.
Does a Green List job guarantee a New Zealand visa?
No. A Green List job does not guarantee a New Zealand visa. You must still meet the requirements for the specific occupation and visa, which can include qualifications, professional registration, pay thresholds, age, health, character and English-language criteria. The Green List creates an eligible residence pathway, not automatic approval.
Can my UK professional registration be recognised in New Zealand?
UK professional registration can be recognised in New Zealand, but the relevant New Zealand authority must assess it. Nurses apply through the Nursing Council of New Zealand, teachers through the Teaching Council, and some engineers may need an Engineering New Zealand credential check. UK registration alone does not automatically authorise you to work.
What’s the difference between a Resident Visa and a Permanent Resident Visa?
A New Zealand Resident Visa lets you live, work and study in New Zealand, while a Permanent Resident Visa removes the travel conditions attached to residence. Green List and Skilled Migrant Category routes normally grant a Resident Visa first. You can generally apply for permanent residence after at least two years and meeting INZ’s commitment requirements.
How much can I earn in a New Zealand Green List job?
Earnings in a New Zealand Green List job depend on the occupation. Medical and dental specialists are among the highest paid, with current Health NZ base salaries of roughly NZD 198,000 to NZD 283,000. Registered nurses, engineers, teachers, electricians and ICT specialists sit below that, with pay varying by role and seniority.
Do I need a job offer before moving to New Zealand?
For most employer-linked skilled migration routes, you need a qualifying New Zealand job or job offer. Green List Straight to Residence requires a Tier 1 role with an accredited employer, while Skilled Migrant Category pathways also rely on qualifying skilled employment or a job offer alongside the route’s experience, qualification or points requirements.
Ready to plan your move once your job offer is confirmed? Get an international removals quote for New Zealand, or read our full guide to moving to New Zealand from the UK.
