Overview

• The Skilled Work Experience pathway and the Trades & Technician pathway are scheduled to open in mid-2026.
• Migrants using the Skilled Work Experience route must hold ANZSCO Level 1–3 roles paid at least 1.1 times the median wage, with five years of relevant experience including two in New Zealand.
• The Trades & Technician route targets specified ANZSCO Level 1–3 roles at or above the median wage, requiring a Level 4+ qualification and four years of experience, including 1.5 years in New Zealand.
• Immigration officials say additional occupation-specific restrictions will apply, and the list of eligible trades for the second pathway will be published before launch.
• New Zealand First opposes the policy under an agree-to-disagree stance, as the government cites weak economic growth and employers’ skill shortages; the current median wage benchmark is $33.56 an hour.