With New Zealand’s breathtaking landscapes, vibrant multicultural society, and thriving economy, it is a top destination for professionals seeking career opportunities and an exceptional quality of life. New Zealand’s appeal lies in its unique blend of professional opportunities and lifestyle benefits. Its skill shortage list highlights high-demand roles, making it easier for employers to sponsor international workers. Beyond work, New Zealand offers a safe environment, with a low crime rate (approximately 0.7% violent crime rate per capita), stunning natural scenery, and a welcoming multicultural society that embraces diversity.
Work & Live in New Zealand: Top Jobs Offering Visa Sponsorship in 2025
The benefits of visa sponsorship are significant. Beyond the opportunity to work in a high-demand role, sponsored workers often receive relocation support, competitive salaries (e.g., NZD $51,650-$120,000 annually for skilled roles), and pathways to permanent residency. Family members can often accompany the visa holder, with access to partner and child visas. Understanding these processes is key to securing a role and building a life in New Zealand.
Top Industries Offering Visa Sponsorship in 2025
New Zealand’s job market is dynamic, with several industries actively seeking international talent. Below are the top sectors offering visa sponsorship, based on recent data from job portals like SEEK, Indeed, and Immigration New Zealand. These industries align with the country’s skill shortage list, ensuring ample opportunities for skilled professionals.
Healthcare: A Cornerstone of Opportunity
The healthcare sector remains a powerhouse for visa sponsorship, driven by an aging population and increasing demand for specialized care. New Zealand’s healthcare system, ranked among the top 20 globally, faces a shortage of professionals, with over 1,500 nursing vacancies and 800 medical specialist roles unfilled in 2024. Companies like Fisher & Paykel Healthcare and Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora) are key players offering sponsorship.
Top Roles:
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Registered Nurses: Specializing in aged care, surgical, or mental health nursing. Average salary: NZD $75,000-$95,000. Employers like Aranui Home and Hospital in Auckland sponsor international nurses, particularly those with wound care expertise.
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General Practitioners and Surgeons: High-demand roles with salaries ranging from NZD $120,000-$200,000. Sponsorship is common for specialists in rural areas.
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Allied Health Professionals: Physiotherapists, radiographers, and occupational therapists are sought after, with salaries around NZD $70,000-$100,000. Live Free Physiotherapy in Wellington offers sponsorship for senior physiotherapists.
Healthcare roles often come with relocation packages, professional development, and pathways to residency, making them highly attractive. Candidates need relevant qualifications (e.g., nursing registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand) and English proficiency (IELTS or OET).
Information Technology: Powering the Digital Future
New Zealand’s IT sector is booming, with a 15% growth in tech jobs projected for 2025. Companies like Datacom and Xero lead the charge, offering visa sponsorship for roles in software development, cybersecurity, and data analytics. Auckland and Wellington are tech hubs, with over 103 IT-specific visa sponsorship jobs listed on SEEK in July 2025.
Top Roles:
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Software Engineers: Developing applications and cloud solutions. Average salary: NZD $90,000-$120,000. Datacom sponsors engineers with expertise in Java, Python, or .NET.
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Cybersecurity Specialists: Protecting digital infrastructure. Salaries range from NZD $100,000-$140,000. ANZ Bank sponsors cybersecurity professionals to secure financial systems.
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Data Analysts: Leveraging big data for business insights. Average salary: NZD $80,000-$110,000. Companies like Theta in Auckland seek analysts with visa sponsorship.
IT professionals benefit from flexible work arrangements, with many roles offering hybrid or remote options. A degree in computer science or relevant certifications (e.g., AWS, CISSP) is typically required.
Engineering: Building New Zealand’s Future
Engineering is a cornerstone of New Zealand’s infrastructure growth, with projects in construction, energy, and transportation driving demand. Fletcher Building and KiwiRail are among the top employers offering visa sponsorship for engineers. The sector faces a shortage of 2,000 engineers annually, making it a prime area for international talent.
Top Roles:
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Civil Engineers: Designing roads, bridges, and buildings. Average salary: NZD $85,000-$130,000. Fletcher Building sponsors engineers for major infrastructure projects.
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Mechanical Engineers: Working in manufacturing or energy. Salaries range from NZD $80,000-$120,000. Companies in Blenheim offer sponsorship for technicians.
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Electrical Engineers: Supporting power distribution and renewable energy. Average salary: NZD $90,000-$140,000. Alpine Energy in Timaru provides visa support.
Engineers need a recognized qualification (e.g., Washington Accord-accredited degree) and may require registration with Engineering New Zealand. Relocation assistance is common, especially for roles in regional areas.
Agriculture and Horticulture: Feeding the Nation
New Zealand’s agricultural sector, a global leader in dairy and kiwifruit production, relies heavily on international workers. Fonterra and the kiwifruit industry in Bay of Plenty offer sponsorship through the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme and AEWV. Over 10,000 seasonal workers were sponsored in 2024, with similar demand expected in 2025.
Top Roles:
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Farm Managers: Overseeing dairy or livestock operations. Average salary: NZD $70,000-$100,000. Fonterra sponsors skilled managers.
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Orchard Workers: Specializing in kiwifruit or apple harvesting. Salaries range from NZD $50,000-$70,000. Maketu/Pukehina orchards offer leadership roles with sponsorship.
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Agricultural Technicians: Supporting precision farming. Average salary: NZD $60,000-$85,000.
These roles often require physical fitness and may involve seasonal contracts, but long-term positions offer residency pathways. The RSE scheme is ideal for entry-level workers, with employers covering visa costs.
Hospitality and Tourism: Welcoming the World
New Zealand’s tourism sector, rebounding strongly in 2025, creates opportunities in hospitality. With 3.5 million tourists expected annually, hotels like JW Marriott Auckland and The Distinction Invercargill sponsor international talent.
Top Roles:
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Hotel Managers: Overseeing operations at luxury properties. Average salary: NZD $80,000-$120,000. JW Marriott Auckland offers sponsorship.
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Chefs and Cooks: Specializing in high-end or cultural cuisine. Salaries range from NZD $50,000-$80,000. Sponsorship is available for experienced chefs.
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Front-of-House Staff: Providing customer service in restaurants and hotels. Average salary: NZD $45,000-$60,000. Daytime roles are common.
Hospitality roles require customer service skills and, for chefs, culinary qualifications. Visa sponsorship is often tied to long-term contracts, with opportunities for career growth.
Top 15 Jobs Offering Visa Sponsorship in New Zealand for
Below is a curated list of 15 top jobs offering visa sponsorship in 2025, based on demand from the skill shortage list, job postings, and industry trends. Each role includes the average salary, key employers offering sponsorship, and required qualifications, optimized for those planning to work and live in New Zealand.
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Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
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Average Salary: NZD $75,000-$95,000
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Key Employers: Aranui Home and Hospital (Auckland), Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora)
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Qualifications: Nursing degree, registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand, wound care or surgical experience, English proficiency (IELTS/OET).
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Why in Demand: An aging population drives a shortage of over 1,500 nurses annually, with sponsorship common for aged care specialists.
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General Practitioner
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Average Salary: NZD $120,000-$200,000
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Key Employers: Kiwi Health Jobs, regional health boards
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Qualifications: Medical degree, registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand, experience in general practice.
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Why in Demand: Rural areas face a shortage of doctors, with visa sponsorship offered to fill gaps.
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Software Engineer
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Average Salary: NZD $90,000-$120,000
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Key Employers: Datacom (Wellington), TradeMe (Auckland)
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Qualifications: Degree in computer science or related field, expertise in Java, Python, or .NET.
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Why in Demand: The IT sector’s 15% growth projection for 2025 fuels demand for developers.
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Civil Engineer
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Average Salary: NZD $85,000-$130,000
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Key Employers: Fletcher Building, WSP New Zealand
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Qualifications: Washington Accord-accredited engineering degree, experience in infrastructure projects.
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Why in Demand: Major construction projects, including housing and transport, drive a shortage of 2,000 engineers.
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Mechanical Engineer
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Average Salary: NZD $80,000-$120,000
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Key Employers: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, regional manufacturers
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Qualifications: Engineering degree, experience in manufacturing or energy sectors.
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Why in Demand: Growth in manufacturing and renewable energy projects creates opportunities.
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Cybersecurity Specialist
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Average Salary: NZD $100,000-$140,000
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Key Employers: ANZ Bank, Theta (Auckland)
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Qualifications: Degree in IT or cybersecurity, certifications like CISSP or CEH.
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Why in Demand: Rising cyber threats increase demand for specialists to secure digital infrastructure.
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Farm Manager
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Average Salary: NZD $70,000-$100,000
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Key Employers: Fonterra, regional dairy farms
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Qualifications: Agricultural degree or equivalent experience, knowledge of dairy or livestock management.
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Why in Demand: New Zealand’s dairy industry, a key export sector, relies on skilled managers.
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Orchard Worker (Leadership Roles)
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Average Salary: NZD $50,000-$70,000
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Key Employers: Maketu/Pukehina orchards, Bay of Plenty growers
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Qualifications: Experience in horticulture, leadership skills for supervisory roles.
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Why in Demand: Seasonal shortages in kiwifruit and apple industries drive sponsorship via the RSE scheme.
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Physiotherapist
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Average Salary: NZD $70,000-$100,000
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Key Employers: Live Free Physiotherapy (Wellington), Health New Zealand
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Qualifications: Physiotherapy degree, registration with the New Zealand Physiotherapy Board.
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Why in Demand: Allied health shortages, especially in rehabilitation, fuel sponsorship opportunities.
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Hotel Manager
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Average Salary: NZD $80,000-$120,000
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Key Employers: JW Marriott Auckland, The Distinction Invercargill
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Qualifications: Hospitality management degree or equivalent experience, leadership skills.
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Why in Demand: Tourism’s rebound, with 3.5 million visitors expected in 2025, creates demand.
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Chef/Cook
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Average Salary: NZD $50,000-$80,000
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Key Employers: Solera (Mount Maunganui), luxury hotels
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Qualifications: Culinary qualifications, experience in high-end or cultural cuisine.
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Why in Demand: Hospitality sector growth requires skilled chefs for diverse dining experiences.
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Data Analyst
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Average Salary: NZD $80,000-$110,000
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Key Employers: Datacom, Xero (Wellington)
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Qualifications: Degree in data science or statistics, proficiency in SQL or Python.
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Why in Demand: Businesses increasingly rely on data-driven decisions, boosting demand.
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Electrical Engineer
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Average Salary: NZD $90,000-$140,000
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Key Employers: Alpine Energy (Timaru), Transpower
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Qualifications: Engineering degree, experience in power distribution or renewables.
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Why in Demand: Renewable energy projects and grid upgrades require specialized skills.
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Medical Imaging Technologist
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Average Salary: NZD $70,000-$100,000
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Key Employers: Health New Zealand (Porirua), private clinics
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Qualifications: Degree in medical imaging, registration with the New Zealand Medical Radiation Technologists Board.
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Why in Demand: Diagnostic imaging shortages persist due to healthcare demands.
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Senior Mechanic
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Average Salary: NZD $60,000-$85,000
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Key Employers: TC Defenders Auto Shop (Auckland), regional workshops
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Qualifications: Trade certification, experience in automotive repair.
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Why in Demand: Vehicle maintenance and fleet management create steady demand for skilled mechanics.
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To pursue these opportunities, ensure your qualifications align with New Zealand standards, use platforms like LinkedIn or visasponsor.jobs, and connect with accredited employers for a smoother visa process.
Application Process for Visa Sponsorship Jobs
Applying for a visa-sponsored job involves several steps:
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Research and Apply: Identify roles on the skill shortage list and apply through job portals or directly to employers. Ensure your qualifications match the job requirements.
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Secure a Job Offer: Employers must provide a formal offer and confirm their accreditation with Immigration New Zealand.
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Visa Application: Submit an AEWV application, including your job offer, qualifications, health certificate, and police clearance. Processing takes 2-12 weeks.
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Relocation Planning: Coordinate with your employer for relocation support, such as accommodation or travel allowances. Some companies, like Fisher & Paykel, offer comprehensive packages.
Engage a licensed immigration advisor to navigate complex cases, especially for family visas. Costs for advisors range from NZD $1,000-$3,000 but can streamline the process.
Life in New Zealand: What to Expect
Living in New Zealand offers a unique lifestyle. Urban centers like Auckland provide vibrant nightlife and cultural events, while rural areas like Bay of Plenty offer tranquility and outdoor activities. The cost of living varies, but a single professional can live comfortably on NZD $60,000 annually in regional areas. Public transport is reliable in cities, but a car is recommended for rural living.
Education and healthcare are accessible, with free public schooling for children of visa holders and subsidized healthcare (e.g., GP visits cost NZD $40-$60). Outdoor enthusiasts will love New Zealand’s hiking trails, ski fields, and beaches, with over 15 national parks to explore. The multicultural society, with 25% of residents born overseas, ensures a welcoming environment for newcomers.
Conclusion
New Zealand offers a wealth of opportunities for skilled professionals seeking visa-sponsored jobs. From healthcare to IT, engineering to agriculture, the country’s industries are eager to welcome international talent. By leveraging job portals, networking, and understanding the visa process, you can secure a role that aligns with your skills and aspirations. The promise of a balanced lifestyle, competitive salaries, and a pathway to residency makes New Zealand an ideal destination. Start exploring today, and take the first step toward a rewarding career and life in this beautiful nation.
