Popular Job Sectors in New Zealand

Healthcare, education, engineering, agriculture, and construction are among the popular job sectors in New Zealand. According to official government data, New Zealand's economy is expected to grow by 2.5% between 2023 and 2028. This growth will create a demand for nearly 40,000 new workers annually. It means a great opportunity for skilled professionals across various industries.
The government of New Zealand is aiming to create nearly 40,000 jobs every year. More than half of these opportunities will come from the Accommodation and Food Services, Business Services, Construction, and Retail Trade sectors. Additionally, the transport and non-farm manufacturing industries are expected to grow. The government of New Zealand is also signing deals with other nations to increase exports, which will further create more job opportunities.
Popular Job Sectors in New Zealand Highlights |
|
---|---|
Current Employment Rate |
67.4% (Dec 2024) |
Job Sectors Employing Largely |
Engineering, IT, Teaching, Admin, Managers, etc. |
Expected Vacancy Opening by 2023 |
40,000 |
Total Skill Shortages Sectors in NZ |
10 |
Average Growth Rate for 5 years |
2.8% annually |
Sectors Requiring Immediate Joinings |
Medicine, Agriculture, Education, Oil & Gas, Finance & Business, Engineering, etc. |
NZD 6,580 (INR 3.32 Lakhs) per month |
- New Zealand Industry-Wise Shortages
- Chances of Getting a Full-Time Job in New Zealand in Popular Sectors
- Green List Occupations in New Zealand
New Zealand Industry-Wise Shortages
Because of the limited population in New Zealand, some skills are chronically in short supply. Immigration New Zealand has lists of industries where there is a serious skill shortage. Once you finish your chosen course in New Zealand and are offered a job which is marked under the skill shortage category and you have the relevant qualifications plus experience, getting a work visa and permanent residency will be easier. That is because the New Zealand Government has realized that companies and organizations need to employ people from outside NZ to help meet demands for the skill.
Currently, the list covers skills in these areas (2025):
Industry |
Long Term shortages |
Immediate shortages |
---|---|---|
Agriculture and forestry |
Yes |
Yes |
Construction |
Yes |
Yes |
Education |
--- |
Yes |
Engineering |
Yes |
Yes |
Finance/business |
Yes |
--- |
Health and social services |
Yes |
Yes |
ICT and electronics |
Yes |
--- |
Oil and gas |
--- |
Yes |
Recreation, hospitality & tourism |
Yes |
Yes |
Science |
Yes |
Yes |
Trades |
Yes |
Yes |
Transport |
Yes |
--- |
Chances of Getting a Full-Time Job in New Zealand in Popular Sectors
The chances of getting a full-time job opportunity in New Zealand across popular sectors have become a little difficult over the years because the NZ Govt has reduced the number of low-skilled migrants from obtaining an obtaining residence, and since they lack skilled labours, they focus on increasing the “quality” and level of students coming to study in the country. Under the following conditions, international students who came for a 2-year low-level course or a 1-year mid-/high-level course were given the following opportunities:
- Work up to 20 hours while studying, full-time during holidays, and
- Obtain a very easy to get Post-Study Work Visa which would let them work in any job for one year, and
- Obtain a second Post-Study Work Visa in NZ, which is granted to them to work in a job related to the course they studied.
The new rules have been geared towards giving greater work rights to students who study for post-graduate degrees or level 7 degrees. The intention was to move the education sector away from relying on masses of low-level students and towards a smaller number of higher-level students. Presumably, the shift will also lead to a reduction in low-skilled workers but a supplementary rise in workers with better skills.
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There are some safeguards built into the new rules which will give the education industry time to adjust while still allowing some rights to low-level students. There are also some rules regarding the benefits of studying outside of Auckland. Altogether, the rules were made in order to:
- Change the balance of low- and high-level students, and
- Reduce migrant exploitation, and
- Reduce strain on national infrastructure and housing, and
- Not be a target for immigration fraud.
For more queries, kindly write to us in the comments section below.
Related Articles:
Green List Occupations in New Zealand
New Zealand Government has released a set of 85 job roles falling under the high-demand list of skilled labourers to bridge the unemployment gap due to the COVID-19 impact. The list has been released keeping in view of the New Zealand border opening for 5,000 international students by July 2022 after the pandemic.
This list has various job roles related to construction, engineering, health & social services, trade, ICT & telecommunications, along with agriculture. Each job has a unique code number, and those who fall under this green list of occupations in terms of basic requirements can apply for jobs and have an official confirmation through an accredited employer in New Zealand only. Those who would be able to work under the listed job roles would:
- Be allowed to bring their spouses, who will also get working rights in New Zealand,
- fast-track residence pathway for green list visa holders after working for 2 years, &
- The visa application would take only 30 days for approval.
Get more information at: Green List Occupations in New Zealand
New Zealand is one of the top destinations for international students going abroad for higher education. All of eight universities in New Zealand are ranked among the top 3% universities in the world. New Zealand education sets up students with a globally recognised qualification and real-world skills. Each year thousands of students from India apply for various universities in the New Zealand. As per Govt. of India, there are more than 2,500 Indian students that went to study in 2022 in various universities in New Zealand.
International students need to show sufficient funds for getting a New Zealand student visa. Students need to show NZ$ 20,000 for a full year of study or NZ$ 1,250 per month for getting a New Zealand study visa.
Cost of New Zealand Student Visa Application
- New Zealand Visa Cost: Students who are submitting their Student Visa Application online are required to pay a base Visa fee of NZD 375 which is INR 19,200 (approximately).
- Candidates who are applying for their Student Visa online from New Delhi are required to pay NZD 430 which is INR 22,000 (approximately) as the receiving centre fees.
- Those applying for a student visa in New Zealand on paper (offline mode) should note that the immigration costs would be INR 22,600, in addition to this students are required to pay a receiving Centre fee of INR 1,520.
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With a good educational system, excellent quality of life, and a number of research opportunities, New Zealand offers a lot to international students. Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand has a 39 percent population of overseas citizens, making it a culturally diverse city. Moreover, the post-study work visa in New Zealand can offer up to three years of stay back. As per Stats New Zealand, its unemployment rate is 3.4 percent. Students enrolled in a course of 12 months or more can also work part-time in New Zealand for up to 20 hours a week during the semester and holidays.