New Zealand Boosts Manufacturing with Expanded Green List and Streamlined Residency for Skilled Trades
WELLINGTON – The New Zealand Government is taking decisive action to address critical talent shortages in its vital manufacturing sector, announcing the addition of ten key trades occupations to the Work to Residence pathway on the Green List. This strategic move, effective from August 18, 2025, aims to fast-track residency for skilled tradespeople, bolstering the nation’s economic recovery and productivity. Alongside this, the median wage thresholds for various skilled resident visas will also undergo their annual update.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford emphasized the crucial role of these skilled workers. “We know how important skilled workers are to the resilience of the manufacturing sector. When we don’t have enough people to fill these roles, productivity slows, business growth stalls and the economy feels the pressure,” Ms. Stanford stated. She affirmed that these changes are designed to attract the talent needed to maintain economic momentum and support New Zealand’s industrial engine.
The ten new occupations joining the Green List’s Work to Residence pathway include Metal Fabricator, Metal Machinist (First Class), Fitter (General), Fitter and Turner, Fitter-Welder, Pressure Welder, Welder, Panel Beater, Vehicle Painter, and Paving Plant Operator. Under this pathway, migrants will be required to have worked in a relevant occupation in New Zealand for an Accredited Employer for two years before they become eligible to apply for residence, providing a clear and direct path to permanent settlement.
Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Chris Penk highlighted the manufacturing sector’s significant contribution to the economy, approximately $21.8 billion annually, despite recent challenges posed by a tougher economic climate. “Business confidence is improving as inflation and living costs ease, but I’m hearing from manufacturers that some roles crucial to day-to-day operations are still proving difficult to fill,” Mr. Penk explained. He stressed that addressing these skill shortages by bringing in overseas talent is essential for lifting productivity, enabling manufacturers to expand, create new jobs, and foster more local apprenticeships, thereby driving prosperity across communities.
To be eligible for the Work to Residence Visa from August 18, 2025, applicants must be 55 or under at the time of applying for residence, meet standard health, character, and English language requirements, and hold a job or job offer in one of the listed Green List occupations. Crucially, they must also demonstrate 24 months of relevant New Zealand work experience with an Accredited Employer and meet specific pay requirements. For Metal Fabricator, Welder, Fitter, and Machinist roles, the hourly wage must be at least $43.63 (or $90,750 annually), while Paving Plant Operators, Panel Beaters, and Vehicle Painters must earn at least $38.59 an hour (or $80,267 annually). Additionally, Immigration New Zealand will implement its annual update to all skilled residence visas median wage thresholds in August, reflecting the new median wage rate of $33.56 an hour based on June 2024 data.
For comprehensive information on the Work to Residence Visa, eligibility criteria, and updated wage thresholds, interested individuals are encouraged to visit the Immigration New Zealand website.
