Companies That Sponsor Work Visas in New Zealand: Top Industries + Full List (2026)
New Zealand's Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) system requires employers to be accredited before they can hire international workers. As of 2026, 24,823 employers hold accreditation — and we've analyzed every single one.
NZ Visa Sponsorship by the Numbers
- 24,823 accredited employers
- 176,664 AEWV grants issued to date
- 11 major industries represented
Top Industries by Number of Accredited Employers
| # | Industry | Employers | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Accommodation and Food Services | 4,027 | 16.2% |
| 2 | Construction | 3,529 | 14.2% |
| 3 | Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing | 2,560 | 10.3% |
| 4 | Retail Trade | 2,270 | 9.1% |
| 5 | Manufacturing | 2,107 | 8.5% |
| 6 | Professional & Technical Services | 1,692 | 6.8% |
| 7 | Other Services | 1,637 | 6.6% |
| 8 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1,395 | 5.6% |
| 9 | Transport and Warehousing | 1,292 | 5.2% |
| 10 | Administrative and Support Services | 1,039 | 4.2% |
| 11 | Education and Training | 850 | 3.4% |
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
This is NZ's standout sector for visa sponsorship — and our top-performing page on Google. With 2,560 accredited employers, roles range from dairy farm workers and fruit pickers to forestry operators and fishing crew. Seasonal and permanent positions are available year-round.
Accommodation and Food Services
The largest sector by employer count. Hotels, restaurants, cafes, and catering companies throughout New Zealand actively sponsor chefs, cooks, hotel managers, and hospitality workers. Major chains like Pizza Hut (23 locations) are accredited.
Construction
NZ's building boom continues to drive demand for carpenters, electricians, plumbers, project managers, and heavy equipment operators. 3,529 construction companies hold AEWV accreditation.
Healthcare
Nurses, aged care workers, physiotherapists, and lab technicians are in high demand. 1,395 healthcare employers are accredited, including hospitals and private practices across both islands.
Accredited Employer List New Zealand 2026
The full accredited employer list for New Zealand contains 24,823 employers verified by Immigration New Zealand. Every employer on this list has passed the accreditation process and is eligible to support Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) applications. The list is updated regularly as new employers gain accreditation and others expire.
Notable Accredited Employers
- Pizza Hut — 23 accredited locations across NZ
- CREST CLEAN — 13 locations, commercial cleaning
- Edwards & Hardy Roofing — 8 locations, construction
- Qube Logistics — 7 locations, transport and warehousing
- Big Barrel — 6 locations, retail
You can search the complete accredited employer list and verify any employer's status using our Sponsor Check Tool or browse the full searchable NZ employer database.
How to Find NZ Sponsors
- Search our full employer list — Search all 24,823 NZ accredited employers
- Browse by industry — NZ visa sponsorship hub with industry breakdowns
- Check accreditation status — use Sponsor Check Tool to verify any employer
AEWV Requirements
- Median wage threshold: NZ$31.61/hour (as of 2026)
- Employer accreditation: Required — employer must be on the accredited list
- Job check: Most roles require a labour market test
- Visa duration: Up to 3 years, renewable
Related Guides
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