Market Updates, Niche job Reports

New Zealand Jobs – Now and Future

Tate

The conversation around skills gaps in New Zealand is about how the labour market is shifting for the future. Employers and migrants alike have a role in bridging the gap. For employers, it’s about staying competitive and making the right hires today while planning for tomorrow’s talent pipeline. For migrants, it’s about recognising where opportunities are already wide open and where future growth will unlock new pathways.

Opportunities That Exist Right Now

  • Healthcare and Aged Care – Hospitals, clinics, and care providers continue to face urgent demand for doctors, nurses, and aged-care workers. For migrants, this is one of the clearest entry points into New Zealand’s workforce. For employers, it means recruitment strategies must extend internationally while also investing in retention.¹
  • Information Technology – Software developers, cybersecurity specialists, and data analysts are all highly sought after. With NZ’s tech export sector growing fast, the IT gap isn’t going away soon.²
  • Trades and Infrastructure – Electricians, plumbers, and construction managers are vital to housing and major projects. Employers in these industries often have to compete fiercely for talent, and migrants with trade certification can step directly into long-term roles.³
  • Education – Schools continue to need qualified teachers, particularly in STEM subjects and early childhood. This is a critical area both now and in the years ahead.⁴

The Longer View: Where Skills Are Heading

  • Digital and AI Economy – New Zealand’s tech sector is already the third-largest export earner, and the next phase will demand expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud systems. This is not just about big companies: smaller firms across finance, logistics, and health will all look for digital skills.²
  • Agritech and CleanTech – Farming and sustainability are core to New Zealand’s identity. Expect growth in drones, sensors, robotics, and renewable energy solutions. Migrants with hands-on expertise in precision farming or energy systems will be increasingly valuable.⁵
  • Biotech and HealthTech – From telemedicine platforms to vaccine research, the healthcare system is turning digital. Bioengineers, medical technologists, and digital health experts will likely become more prominent.⁶
  • Creative and Niche Industries – Film, gaming, and design already give NZ a global profile. Skills in AR/VR, animation, and advanced design tools will continue to be prized—even though they may never appear on a Green List.

Exceptional People in Any Role

Beyond shortage lists and forecasts, one principle always holds true: exceptional people are easier to employ. Why? Because every company, in every segment, wants to be exceptional.

Take the case of a client of mine, not on any shortage list. He was a drone professional:

  • He designed and 3D-printed his own racing drones, winning competitions and gaining recognition as a trainer.
  • His reputation made him a natural volume importer, as the popularity of his designs grew.
  • When he arrived in New Zealand, the country’s leading drone company didn’t hesitate to hire him.

This type of niche expertise will never have a special program for immigration preference. Yet, the combination of specialist knowledge, proven results, and reputation made him an indispensable hire for the right employer. Many other niche experts—be they master winemakers, elite animators, or marine engineers—have similar mobility.

For migrants: if you have a rare skill and a proven track record, you may be more “portable” than you realise.
For employers: keeping an eye out for these standout individuals can transform your team far beyond filling a vacancy.

The Message for Employers

  • Look beyond filling today’s vacancies—invest in people who can grow with the business as technologies evolve.
  • Recognise that retaining migrant talent is just as important as hiring it. Offering career development, not just a job, will be a competitive edge.
  • Be open to niche talent. Someone with a specialised skill or global reputation can lift an entire sector or product line, even if their occupation isn’t on any official list.

The Message for Migrants

  • Don’t only focus on today’s shortage lists. Consider where future demand is growing—digital, clean energy, health technology—and align your training or career steps accordingly.
  • Even if your role isn’t named in policy, high performers with unique expertise can often carve a pathway through employer sponsorship.
  • New Zealand rewards adaptability and innovation: showing how your skills can lift productivity or competitiveness may be more persuasive than a job title.

Conclusion

The direction of travel is clear: New Zealand continues to value high skills, recognised qualifications, and innovation. The challenge and opportunity are the same—employers and migrants who position themselves ahead of the curve will not just fill today’s gaps but shape tomorrow’s industries.

Footnotes

  1. NZ Ministry of Health and Green List data on ongoing shortages in health and aged care.
  2. NZTech reports on ICT growth and OECD analysis of digital skills demand.
  3. MBIE construction and infrastructure workforce forecasts.
  4. Ministry of Education reports on teacher shortages in STEM and early childhood.
  5. Government agritech strategy and industry commentary on precision farming.
  6. Health Tech and BioTech sector reports, including innovation hubs in Auckland and Wellington.

Further Reading (URLs)

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