Popular Job Sectors in New Zealand
clickHere

Popular Job Sectors in New Zealand

4 mins read31.8K Views 26 Comments
Talk to Expert Icon BlueTalk to Expert
clickHere
Raj
Raj Vimal
Assistant Manager Editorial
Updated on Mar 28, 2025 10:13 IST

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.

Popular job sectors in New Zealand

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.

Average Salary in New Zealand

NZD 6,580 (INR 3.32 Lakhs) per month

Table of content
  • 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:

  1. Work up to 20 hours while studying, full-time during holidays, and
  2. Obtain a very easy to get Post-Study Work Visa which would let them work in any job for one year, and
  3. 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.

Score Predictor

Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!

Share 12th Board, Percentage, english score
Get estimated scores or IELTS, TOEFL & PTE


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:

  1. Change the balance of low- and high-level students, and
  2. Reduce migrant exploitation, and
  3. Reduce strain on national infrastructure and housing, and
  4. Not be a target for immigration fraud.

For more queries, kindly write to us in the comments section below. 

Related Articles:

Part-Time Work Options in New Zealand

New Zealand Student Visa Guide

Scholarships to Study in New Zealand

Job Prospects in New Zealand

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

Q:   Is New Zealand good for Indian students?
A:

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.

Q:   Is New Zealand good for international students to study?
A:

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.

Q:   How much funds are needed for a New Zealand study visa?
A:

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.
RecommendationView All

Explore MS colleges in New Zealand

University of Auckland

Auckland, New ZealandPublic

53 courses
22.52 L - 27.51 L
University of Otago

Dunedin, New ZealandPublic

34 courses
18 L - 25.4 L
AUT University

Auckland, New ZealandPublic

17 courses
17.91 L - 33.62 L
University of Canterbury

Christchurch, New ZealandPublic

20 courses
20.83 L - 39.05 L
Victoria University of Wellington

Wellington, New ZealandPublic

12 courses
17.42 L - 36.45 L
University of Waikato

Hamilton, New ZealandPublic

24 courses
17.88 L - 32.6 L
Massey University

Palmerston, New ZealandPublic

25 courses
18.81 L - 27.62 L
Lincoln University New Zealand

Lincoln, New ZealandPublic

15 courses
15 L - 26.61 L
Unitec Institute of Technology

Auckland, New ZealandPrivate

1 courses
17.12 L - 17.12 L
Eastern Institute of Technology

Napier, New ZealandPublic

1 courses
21.87 L - 21.87 L
Is this recommendation relevant?
Which stage are you in your study abroad journey?

Pick your stage and get free guidance from counsellors who've helped thousands get into top universities.

Research IconStarting research
Shortlist IconShortlisting colleges
Exam IconExam preparation
SopLor IconSOP/LOR writing
Scholarship IconScholarship & finance
Visa IconVisa application
About the Author
author-image
Written by
Raj Vimal
Assistant Manager Editorial
Hi, I am Raj. I help Indian students figure out study abroad without the confusion. For 8+ years, mostly in Ed-Tech, I have written about the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. I cover what peo Read Full Bio
author-image
Reviewed by
Anuradha
All courses in ANZ
Armed with B.Com from Delhi University, Anuradha Sharma has accumulated rich experience as an education counsellor. She is especially adept at handling Australia and NZ admission procedure. Before becoming a GTE Exp Read Full Bio
Explore popular study destinations
Resources for you
Understand the process step by step by referring to these guides curated just for you
qna

Comments

(26)

M

Malavika

2 years ago

Hi, I hold a Bachelor of Science honors degree in Chemistry, I am planning to pursue a PGDip in Science field only. Is there enough scope in NZ for this?

Reply to Malavika

N

Nalini Krishnan

2 years ago

Hi . I have completed my diploma in business management (level 7) in Auckland New Zealand. I had completed my course in june 2018. I moved back to India for some personal reasons and went back to New Zealand in the year 2020 january , lockdown happened and i had to come back in september due to fina

...Read more

Reply to Nalini Krishnan

Hello Nalini! You will have to follow this up with the designated officials, we only cater to student visa related queries here. Good luck!

M

Mamta Mamta

2 years ago

hello good day, I am chartered accountants, which is the best course for local qualification to get a job in NZ

Reply to Mamta Mamta

Hello! If you are a CA, then you can go for a masters in finance / fintech or a masters in professional accounting courses in New Zealand for getting a job. Hope this helps. In case you have more queries you can connect with our counsellor - sumit.chugh@shiksha.com for more details. All the best!

D

Dnyandeo

3 years ago

what is maximum age for post gradute study in New Zealand.

Reply to Dnyandeo

Hello! The maximum or upper limit for those applying for a postgraduate course in New Zealand is ideally 32, but there may be a case to case difference as well. Hope this answers your query.

a

akshay parate

3 years ago

Is there a demand for marketing in New Zealand? If no, what other sector can i consider to study there? I'm planning for PR there so i won't consider other countries.

Reply to akshay parate

Hello Akshay, yes marketing specialized applicants are in great demand in New Zealand. Marketing specialists are a part of the skill shortages occupations list of New Zealand. You can apply there and can expect to earn between USD 64,000 - USD 140,000 depending upon your academic and professional ba

...Read more