New Zealand is taking steps to make it easier for migrant workers to live and work in the country as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the workforce and boost the economy. Two new residency pathways have been announced by the Minister for Economic Growth, Nicola Willis, highlighting that skilled migrants with relevant experience can address the gaps in the existing workforce.
The minister stated that businesses have been facing challenges in retaining experienced migrant workers due to difficulty in securing residence, despite their crucial skills and significant experience. The push to attract foreign workers and investment comes at a time when New Zealand is experiencing a record number of its citizens leaving the country and a decline in GDP.
The first residency pathway targets migrants in skilled roles who meet specific experience and salary thresholds, while the second pathway is designed for those in trades and technical roles who meet certain qualification and wage criteria. The immigration minister, Erica Stanford, emphasized that the skilled work experience pathway is aimed at retaining experienced workers who have already made valuable contributions to the New Zealand economy.
New Zealand citizens have been leaving the country in unprecedented numbers, with 73,400 individuals departing between July 2024 and 2025, compared to 25,800 returning to live, according to statistics from Stats NZ. Additionally, the government has relaxed visitor visa rules in January to attract digital nomads and influencers, allowing them to work remotely in New Zealand, provided they are being paid by an overseas company.
In February, the government introduced a more lenient version of the Active Investor Plus visa, commonly known as the ‘golden visa’, which offers residency to wealthy foreigners. Business New Zealand welcomed the latest change, emphasizing its benefits for employers in retaining skilled workers, while Infrastructure NZ called for an expedited start date.
However, the minor coalition partner, New Zealand First, expressed its opposition to the proposal, invoking the ‘agree to disagree’ clause. The party’s leader and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters, argued that New Zealand is being used as a stepping stone for migrants to eventually move to Australia. According to Stats NZ, 35% of New Zealand citizens who migrated to Australia in 2024 were born outside of New Zealand.
Peters emphasized the need for a smart immigration system that prioritizes the needs of New Zealand employers, industries, and local workers, rather than policies that may lead to unplanned immigration without considering the needs of future generations.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/23/new-zealand-visa-country-loosens-residency-restrictions-record-numbers-of-citizens-leave
