The New Zealand government announced on Tuesday two new pathways for migrants to gain residency, aiming to strengthen the country’s workforce and boost the economy.
Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis emphasized that skilled and experienced migrants help fill critical workforce gaps, enabling businesses to grow. She noted, “Businesses told us it was too hard for some migrants to gain residence, even when they had crucial skills and significant experience that was not available in the existing workforce. We’re fixing it.”
The new residency pathways target skilled workers, tradespeople, and technicians, requiring applicants to have relevant work experience both overseas and in New Zealand, along with meeting specified salary thresholds.
New Zealand’s economy has struggled recently, recording negative growth in three of the last five quarters, prompting the government to introduce policies supporting economic growth, including encouraging foreign investment.
Although net migration remains positive, the number of incoming migrants has declined from the highs seen after the 2022 border reopening, as a historically high number of New Zealanders leave the country.
Government coalition partner New Zealand First has expressed opposition to the new policy.
