Top Industries Hiring Foreign Workers in New Zealand (2026 Data)

Construction Dominates NZ's Foreign Worker Intake

New Zealand has issued 176,664 AEWV visas since 2022, and the data reveals a clear pattern: construction and trades occupations account for the largest share of grants. Builder's labourers alone received 11,681 grants — more than any other single occupation. Combined with carpenters (8,159) and painting trades workers (2,725), construction-related roles represent over 22,500 grants, roughly 13% of all AEWV visas issued.

This article breaks down the top industries by AEWV grant volume, using official data tracked on our NZ visa sponsorship page.

Industry Breakdown

1. Construction and Trades

NZ's housing crisis and post-earthquake rebuild (Canterbury) continue to drive demand for construction workers. Key occupations:

• Builder's Labourer: 11,681 grants — the #1 AEWV occupation
• Carpenter: 8,159 grants
• Painting Trades Worker: 2,725 grants

Typical pay ranges from NZD 28-40/hr depending on experience and region. Browse construction employers in NZ.

2. Healthcare and Aged Care

An ageing population is driving sustained demand for care workers:

• Personal Care Assistant: 5,612 grants
• Aged or Disabled Carer: 3,210 grants

Healthcare roles often qualify for the Green List, providing a faster path to residency. Registered nurses and midwives can apply for residence directly. See healthcare employers.

3. Hospitality and Food Services

Tourism recovery post-COVID has increased demand:

• Chef: 6,292 grants
• Cook: 5,320 grants
• Retail Supervisor: 3,280 grants (includes hospitality supervisors)

Chefs are among the most in-demand occupations globally, and NZ is no exception. Explore hospitality employers.

4. Transport and Logistics

• Truck Driver (General): 4,715 grants

NZ's geography (long, narrow islands with limited rail) creates high demand for road freight drivers. A NZ heavy vehicle licence is required, but some employers assist with conversion from overseas licences.

5. Agriculture and Dairy

• Dairy Cattle Farm Worker: 3,597 grants

Dairy is NZ's largest export industry. Farm work is physically demanding and often rural, but salaries have risen to attract workers. Many dairy farms offer accommodation as part of the employment package.

6. Manufacturing

Manufacturing roles don't dominate the top 10 but collectively represent a significant share of AEWV grants, particularly in food processing, timber, and metal fabrication. Browse manufacturing employers.

Which Industries Offer the Best Path to Residency?

Not all AEWV occupations lead to residence equally. The Green List provides a fast track:

Pathway	Example Occupations	Residency Timeline
Straight to Residence	Registered Nurses, Software Engineers, Construction Project Managers	Immediate (with 2yr job offer)
Work to Residence (2 years)	Chefs, Carpenters, Electricians, Automotive Electricians	After 2 years of work
Skilled Migrant Category	All other occupations	Points-based, varies

Salary Expectations by Industry

Industry	Typical Range (NZD/hr)	Median Wage Met?
Construction	$28-$45	Most roles yes
Healthcare	$25-$50	Registered roles yes, carers borderline
Hospitality	$27-$38	Chefs yes, kitchen hands borderline
Transport	$28-$38	Yes
Agriculture	$25-$35	Some roles borderline
IT / Tech	$45-$75	Yes, well above

How to Target the Right Industry

1. Match your skills to demand — if you have construction or healthcare experience, NZ has immediate openings
2. Check the Green List — prioritize occupations with a residence pathway
3. Research regional demand — Auckland has the most jobs but highest living costs; regions like Canterbury and Waikato offer better value
4. Search accredited employers — use our NZ employer database to find employers in your target industry
5. Consider salary vs. cost of living — a $32/hr role in Christchurch may offer better quality of life than $38/hr in Auckland

Outlook for 2026

Construction demand remains strong with NZ's infrastructure pipeline (roads, housing, Three Waters reform). Healthcare will grow as the population ages. Hospitality may face some softening if tourism growth slows. The government has indicated it may introduce sector-specific AEWV caps, which could tighten access for some industries while protecting others.