Role Snapshot

ANZSCO Code: 231214 — Marine Engineer
Role Variants: Chief Engineer, Second Engineer, Engineer Officer, Marine Engineering Officer
Parent Category: NZ Aviation & Maritime Roles
Skill Level: 1
Green List: Not listed — this role does not appear on the NZ Green List
National Occupation List (NOL): Yes — check INZ directly; maritime engineering roles are assessed on a case-by-case basis for AEWV eligibility

🇦🇺Also available for AustraliaMarine Engineer Roles in AustraliaEngineers Australia · CSOL eligible→

Marine Engineers in New Zealand are responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of a vessel’s propulsion systems, auxiliary machinery, and engineering plant. Typical responsibilities include:

• Operating and maintaining diesel propulsion engines, gas turbines, and electrical systems
• Planned maintenance systems (PMS) and unscheduled fault response
• MARPOL compliance (pollution prevention — bilge, exhaust, waste)
• Fuel management, bunkering operations, and energy efficiency monitoring
• SOLAS and Maritime NZ compliance in engine department operations
• Engineering watchkeeping and watch handover procedures

Typical employers: Interislander (KiwiRail), Bluebridge (Strait Shipping), Fullers360, Real NZ, Ports of Auckland, Ports of Tauranga, Lyttelton Port Company, commercial fishing vessels, offshore supply operators. The Royal NZ Navy also employs Marine Engineer Officers but is generally not open to migrant candidates.

Salary Benchmark

Typical Range: $99,000 – $176,000+ NZD per year, depending on experience, employer, and region.

• Entry level / early career: $99,000–$115,000
• Mid-career (4–9 years): $120,000–$145,000
• Experienced / senior: $150,000–$176,000+

Source: SalaryExpert NZ — Marine Engineer | Careers.govt.nz | Data reviewed May 2026 | Data reviewed May 2026

Cost of living: Purchasing power varies significantly by region. For an independent comparison, see Numbeo — New Zealand. TEFI provides clients with a detailed financial planning workbook to model living costs by city and lifestyle during the migration process — ask Tate for a copy.

Where Demand Is Strongest

Marine Engineer roles in NZ cluster around port and ferry operations:

• Wellington — Interislander and Bluebridge (Cook Strait ferries); highest demand for qualified marine engineers in NZ
• Auckland — Fullers360, harbour and coastal operations, port tugs
• Tauranga — Ports of Tauranga; port vessel maintenance
• Lyttelton / Christchurch — South Island port operations
• Nationwide (fishing fleet) — deep-sea and inshore fishing vessels require engineer officers; less visible to overseas candidates but genuine ongoing demand

Licensing & Professional Registration

Mandatory licence: Yes — Marine Engineers must hold a Maritime NZ Certificate of Competency (CoC) as Engineer Officer, issued under Maritime Rule Part 32.

Certificate levels (simplified):

• Engineer Officer (Unlimited) — applicable to vessels of all sizes; requires significant sea service and STCW compliance
• Engineer Officer (Near Coastal) — inshore and coastal operations; pathway into NZ-based ferry and harbour roles
• STCW 2010 (Manila) compliance: All STCW certificates must be current and compliant with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping

Overseas certificate recognition: Maritime NZ recognises overseas STCW-compliant CoCs through an equivalency process. Recognition of foreign certificates — Maritime NZ. Required short courses must be completed in NZ, Australia, or UK. Allow 3–6 months for assessment and conversion.

Immigration Pathway

Licensing required to work: Yes — Maritime NZ CoC mandatory. ANZSCO 231214 is a Skill Level 1 occupation.

Visa options:

• Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) — primary pathway. Requires job offer from an INZ-accredited maritime employer.
  
  Immigration New Zealand — Work Visas
• Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa — points-based residence pathway. Skill Level 1 with NZ job offer supports a strong points claim.
  
  Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa

For most of our clients, the job offer sets into motion a clear migration process touching upon immigration compliance, timing, city selection, quality of life, and professional opportunities — the offer is the trigger for all of it.

Important: TEFI does not provide immigration advice. Visa eligibility depends on your individual circumstances, qualifications, and current INZ policy. We recommend working with a licensed New Zealand immigration adviser for guidance specific to your situation. We refer clients to New Zealand Shores — contact Fabien Maisonneuve directly at Fabien@newzealandshores.com and mention Tate sent you.

Migrant Readiness Signals

NZ maritime employers look for Marine Engineer candidates who demonstrate:

• Machinery plant familiarity: Experience with common NZ ferry and coastal vessel propulsion types (MAN, Wärtsilä, MTU diesels; CPP systems; electric propulsion) is a genuine advantage
• STCW certificate currency: Ensure all certificates are current before applying. Expired STCW endorsements are a hard blocker
• MARPOL compliance record: Environmental compliance is closely scrutinised in NZ maritime hiring; demonstrate a clean record and solid knowledge of MARPOL Annexes I, IV, V, and VI
• Planned Maintenance Systems (PMS): Familiarity with computerised PMS (AMOS, Spectec, ship-specific systems) is increasingly expected
• Watchkeeping and emergency response: Documented experience with 4-hour watch systems, emergency drills (flooding, fire, man-overboard), and engineering emergency procedures
• Communication and teamwork: NZ engineering departments are small and collaborative; engineers who communicate proactively with deck officers and shore-side maintenance teams are valued
• References from Chief Engineers or Technical Superintendents: Senior engineering references carry significant weight in NZ maritime hiring

Where to Find Roles

• SEEK NZ — search: “Marine Engineer NZ” or “Engineer Officer New Zealand”
• TradeMe Jobs — search: “Marine Engineer”
• LinkedIn — follow Interislander, Fullers360, Ports of Auckland; connect with NZ maritime engineering recruiters
• Direct to employer: Interislander, Bluebridge, and Fullers360 accept direct applications; contact their fleet technical teams as well as HR
• Maritime NZ — regulatory context; useful before applying to understand NZ seafarer standards

A note on cold applications: In New Zealand, many roles are filled through referral, recruiter relationships, or candidates already known to the employer — a cold application rarely lands. To be the exception, you need an exceptional profile and direct employer contact. If you are not sure how your background will read to a NZ employer, upload your CV for no-cost, practical feedback on how your background reads to NZ employers — Tate typically responds within one business day.