26/08/2026
๐ณ๐ฟ๐ณ๐ฟ DO YOU KNOW NEW ZEALAND HAS JUST INTRODUCED A NEW PATHWAY TO RESIDENCE! ๐ณ๐ฟ๐ณ๐ฟ
๐ง๐ ๏ธ SKILLED MIGRANT CATEGORY โ TRADES & TECHNICIAN PATHWAY
Effective from 24 August 2026, New Zealand has introduced a new Trades and Technician pathway under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) for people working in specified skilled trade and technical occupations.
This could be particularly interesting for skilled workers whose ultimate goal is New Zealand residence. ๐ณ๐ฟ
๐ทโโ๏ธ WHO IS THIS PATHWAY FOR?
The pathway is designed for people working in specified trades and technical occupations, including areas such as:
๐จ Construction
โ๏ธ Engineering
๐ Automotive
โก Electrical
๐ง Mechanical and other eligible technical trades
The occupation must be on Immigration New Zealand's eligible Trades and Technician occupation list.
๐ QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT
You generally need a relevant Level 4 or higher qualification, or a comparable/higher qualification recognised under the applicable New Zealand qualification framework requirements.
๐ผ WORK EXPERIENCE
The pathway requires at least 4 years of relevant post-qualification work experience, including:
โ
At least 2.5 years of relevant post-qualification experience in an eligible skilled occupation; and
๐ณ๐ฟ At least 1.5 years of skilled work experience in New Zealand, in an eligible occupation and paid at or above the applicable SMC wage threshold.
๐ฐ WAGE REQUIREMENT
The required New Zealand work experience must meet the applicable SMC wage threshold.
For the Trades and Technician pathway, the current threshold is NZD $35.00 per hour for the relevant period beginning 9 March 2026. Wage rules can change, so candidates should check the applicable threshold for their circumstances. ([Immigration New Zealand
๐คOTHER BASIC REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must also meet the applicable requirements, including:
โ๏ธ Be 55 years or younger when applying for residence
โ๏ธ Meet health requirements
โ๏ธ Meet character requirements
โ๏ธ Meet English language requirements
โ๏ธ Have qualifying skilled employment or a qualifying job offer with an accredited New Zealand employer.
๐ YOUR JOURNEY CAN START WITH AN ASSESSMENT
At Nexus Migration Consultancy. we offer a FREE initial candidate assessment to help you understand whether your skills, qualifications and work experience may fit the New Zealand employment and recruitment pathway
๐ฒ Interested? Send us a WhatsApp message:
+27 718 285 734
๐ง [email protected]
๐ณ๐ฟ **NEXUS MIGRATION CONSULTANCY**
*Professional. Reliable. Transparent.*