The government has announced that two new residence pathways for skilled migrants will begin in the middle of next year.
From mid-2026, two new pathways to residence will become available:
Skilled Work Experience pathway
- For migrants in skilled positions with a minimum of five years of directly relevant work experience, including at least two years working in New Zealand with a salary of at least 1.1 times the median wage.
Trades and Technician pathway
- For migrants in designated skilled roles who possess a relevant qualification at Level 4 or higher and have a minimum of four years of skilled work experience gained after qualification, including at least 18 months in New Zealand with earnings at or above the median wage.
“Businesses told us it was too hard for some migrants to gain residence, even when they had crucial skills and significant experience that was not available in the existing workforce,” Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis said.
Meanwhile, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said the government is balancing the need to attract higher-skilled workers with responsible management of migration levels, and that additional eligibility restrictions will apply to certain occupations.
However, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has used the ‘agree to disagree’ clause regarding the policy, expressing that he has “serious concerns.”
Peters expressed concern that those granted residency might become citizens and then use their New Zealand passports to obtain fast-tracked visas to Australia.
According to Peters, nearly half of the New Zealand citizens applying for Australian citizenship last year were born overseas.
“New Zealand is being used as a stepping stone into Australia. We take them in, train them, upskill them, look after their families, and then they emigrate.”
“How is this an effective immigration policy?”
Peters said the system should prioritise equipping young New Zealanders with the skills required for various industries.
He said he backs extending current work visas for workers already in the country by an additional three years to meet short-term demand.
In some reports, Joanna Hall from the Employers and Manufacturers Association said that under the current rules, vocational workers are “locked out.”
“Our members, for a long time, have felt that we haven’t seen an acknowledgement of the value that these workers can provide.”
Although uncertain about the exact number of applicants, Hall believed the visas would be highly appealing to workers across several sectors.
Hall believes training the domestic workforce is crucial, and for many businesses, hiring migrants is not the first option. She also urged the education system to better align with industry requirements.
Regarding concerns that the visas might be used by workers to move to Australia, Hall said she was not worried.
“A lot of the people that will qualify for this have been part of these teams now for years. They have set up their lives in New Zealand.”