Whether you’ve recently moved to New Zealand or are planning to do so in the future, it’s important to prepare for what lies ahead. Moving to a new country is a daunting experience and settling in is a journey that takes time. As licensed immigration advisers in NZ, we understand this challenge and are here to provide advice for NZ migrants. Follow our tips below for a smooth transition.
Finding a comfortable place to settle down is the priority for new migrants in New Zealand. Most migrants start by renting a property. If you want to buy a home in New Zealand, you will need to be a resident or a citizen.
You can find rental properties online through Trade Me or local real estate agencies. Prices and availability vary in different areas of the country, so you’ll need to do a fair amount of research before settling on a property. When you find the right property for you, you will usually have to pay rent in advance and a bond.
Many different types of rental properties are available in New Zealand, including studio apartments, houses, townhouses, and units. Flat sharing, also known as “flatting,” is a popular option for young people; share a house with other people and split the rental costs with your flatmates. This is a great way to both save money and form new friendships.
Make sure you take legal advice before signing any documents, especially when buying a home.
If you are beginning your job search when you arrive in New Zealand, you can maximise your chances of success by taking advantage of local resources. Plenty of NZ programmes and organisations provide new migrant workers with employment assistance, advice, and support.
One of the most popular national programmes in New Zealand is “New Kiwis”—an online recruitment program designed for skilled migrants who have become residents. Funded by Immigration New Zealand, this programme connects new migrants with employers that require their skills. The programme also offers special courses that help migrants improve their job search skills.
“Work Connect” is another great programme that helps migrants prepare for their job search. Run by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), this programme offers workshops and one-on-one coaching to new job seekers in New Zealand. Careers.govt.nz is also run by the TEC, and has everything you need to know about working in New Zealand.
The job search process in New Zealand can be time-consuming and frustrating, but it’s important to stay persistent and proactive. If you’re having trouble finding a job, be sure to write to (or visit) companies directly, even if they’re not advertising. This will show your positive attitude, determination, and initiative; NZ employers highly value these qualities.
Meeting new people and making friends is certainly one of the most daunting parts of moving to a new country. Fortunately, Kiwis are welcoming to new migrants, which makes this process easier. But where do you meet people?
The workplace is one of the first places where you’ll get to meet new people and form relationships. New Zealand workplaces are generally quite social and offer many opportunities for employees to socialise outside of work hours.
But it’s important not to limit yourself; the workplace is not the only place to meet people. Getting involved in newcomer networks, volunteering and fundraising events, community events, sports, and school activities is a great way to get to know people. The more you socialise with people, the quicker you will settle in.
New Zealand is a diverse nation, made up of people from all backgrounds and cultures. But generally, New Zealanders are laidback, open-minded, and welcoming individuals. The relaxed Kiwi mindset makes it easy for new migrants to adapt to life in New Zealand. A love of the outdoors and a passion for sport are staples of New Zealand's lifestyle & culture.
As you spend time in New Zealand, you’ll quickly realise the influence of Māori culture. Māori culture plays a significant role in everyday life in New Zealand, from the language to the local customs. Learning Māori phrases and greetings early on is a great way to familiarise yourself with the culture. You can also educate yourself by watching local NZ television, joining Te Reo classes (Māori language), visiting museums, and participating in Māori tourism experiences.
Whether you need a temporary NZ work visa or general immigration advice, Malcolm Pacific Immigration is here to help. Our goal is to remove uncertainties and manage the process for you. Get in touch with our licensed immigration advisers today for expert immigration advice and support.
Our highly experienced licensed Immigration team will take away the stress and worry of navigating the complicated world of New Zealand Immigration. All you need to do is get in touch. Our team is on standby, ready to help.
Our highly experienced licensed Immigration team will take away the stress and worry of navigating the complicated world of New Zealand Immigration. All you need to do is get in touch. Our employer team is on standby, ready to help.
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Today the government announced a pathway to residence for migrant workers who are living and working in New Zealand. Applications open on 1 December 2021 for the first wave who are eligible to apply. The second wave can apply from 1 March 2022. The deadline to lodge an application is 31 July 2022 or else they will miss out on this one off opportunity.
Today the government announced a pathway to residence for people living and working in New Zealand. Applications open on 1 December 2021 for the first wave eligible to apply. The second wave can apply from 1 March 2022. The deadline to lodge an application is 31 July 2022 or else you miss the boat.
The government has moved the introduction of the new employer accreditation process across to mid-2022. At the same time, the Minister of Immigration announced new work visa rules for migrant workers who are already in New Zealand and working full time.
The government has increased the median wage to $27 per hour from 19 July. Any Skilled Migrant residence application lodged after this date will need to include a skilled job offer that pays at least $27 per hour. For some lower-skilled occupations, the minimum pay rate increases to $40.50 per hour.
From 19 July 2021
From 30 June 2021
Employers of migrant workers must become accredited from 1 November 2021 before work visa applications can be processed. Most employers are not accredited. Those that are accredited will have to roll into the new system when it goes live in late September.
From mid-2020 (delayed)
Skilled occupation "Dairy Cattle Farmer" spilt into three occupations. New occupations are: "Dairy Farm Manager", "Assistant Dairy Farm Manager" and "Dairy Herd Manager". Each sit at different skill levels, therefore, the award of points will depend on pay rates, job tasks and other requirements.
From 15 February 2021
The government has deferred the fortnightly selection of Expressions of Interest from the Skilled Migrant pool for six months (to be reviewed in April 2021). Invitations to Apply for Residence remain suspended. The last selection from the Skilled Migrant pool took place on 18/03/2020.
From 7 October 2020
The government added four new occupations that are now regarded as skilled employment and may qualify for job offer points under the Skilled Migrant Category. These are:
Aged or disabled carer, Bicycle mechanic, Driller and Nursing Support worker.
From 27 July 2020
Anyone invited by Immigration NZ to apply for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category where their invitation is dated between 1 November 2019 and 15 April 2020 (inclusive) has now been granted an additional six months to lodge their residence application.
From 27 May 2020
The government has deferred the fortnightly selection of Expressions of Interest from the Skilled Migrant pool. This means Invitations to Apply for Residence are also suspended. Malcolm Pacific Immigration does not anticipate selections to resume until after the general election held on 17 October 2020.
Immigration NZ is now prioritising Skilled Migrant Residence applications where the main (principal) applicant meets the criteria:
From 24 February 2020
From 7 October 2019
The government recently added more occupations that are now to be regarded as skilled employment and may qualify for job offer points under the Skilled Migrant Category. In order to qualify for points, the job must be paying at least the current median wage (or higher for certain occupations) at the time the residence application is lodged.
From 1 November 2021
From 1 November 2021 anyone who is not a NZ citizen must be fully vaccinated (unless exempt) before travelling to New Zealand. Fully vaccinated means your last dose of vaccine was given at least 14 days before travelling and it was an approved vaccine.
Applications for employer accreditation closed at the end of June 2021. Applications lodged before the closure date are still being processed. New applications for accreditation open on 9 May 2022. The process will be quite different to what employers have experienced in the past. Businesses will need to meet minimum standards.
Wednesday, 1 December is fast approaching and it is estimated that around 16,000 individuals and families can apply in the first wave for the 2021 Resident Visa opening next month. It is exciting for the thousands of people who have been waiting patiently to become residents that finally the finish line is in sight.
The first wave of applicants can apply from 1 December 2021. Around 16,000 applications are expected in this first wave. The second wave opens on 1 March 2022. In total, the government expects approximately 110,000 applications that will include about 165,000 people.
The second group of workers who can apply online for the 2021 Resident Visa that opens on 1 March 2022 are those who hold an eligible work visa and either meet "Settled", "Skilled" or "Scarce" as set out above. In total Immigration NZ estimate around 110,000 people will qualify to apply for this visa.
The first group of workers who can apply online for the 2021 Resident Visa that opens on 1 December 2021 are those that on 29/09/2021:
Is this the only requirement to qualify for residence? No. In addition to the eligible work visa criteria workers also need to be regarded as one of the following:
People who were lawfully in NZ (or in Australia when the travel bubble closed between April and July 2021) on 29/09/2021 need to meet the visa eligibility criteria:
The government has introduced a limited pathway to residence for people who are already living and working in New Zealand. Applications open on 1 December 2021 for the first wave of people eligible to apply. The second wave opens on 1 March 2022. The deadline to apply for the 2021 Resident Visa is 31 July 2022.
A small number of critical health workers (taking up jobs for six months or longer) or specialist workers (taking up jobs that are for longer than six months) who were granted border exemptions may also have eligibility for the 2021 Resident Visa. They will need to have arrived in NZ and lodge a 2021 Resident Visa application.
*Excludes high-risk countries.
*Excludes high-risk countries.
The work visa categories set to close are:
In order to address labour shortages in New Zealand's crucial industries the NZ government has implemented a "Green List" of sought-after high-skill occupations. This list offers a prioritised pathway to residency.
There are qualification and/or occupational registration requirements to meet. Occupations are broken down into two tiers:
The recent additions in May 2023 across many sectors on the Green List NZ can be found here