New Zealand Green List Update

A traveller with a red backpack overlooks a calm lake and mountains, symbolising New Zealand’s Green List updates in 2024.

On 1 November 2023, there was a green list update, and New Zealand’s government announced multiple changes to the country’s workforce and immigration pathways. The changes include 17 new roles being added to the green list and a small number of roles to the Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement.

Residency Pathways

The Green List offers two residency pathways: 

  • Tier 1 (Straight to Residence):
    If you have a job offer in a Tier 1 role, you can apply for a residence visa immediately, there’s no need to work in New Zealand for a set period first.
  • Tier 2 (Work to Residence):
    For Tier 2 roles, you must gain 2 years of experience in New Zealand before becoming eligible to apply for residence. These roles still offer a clear pathway to residency.

To meet the requirements for a New Zealand resident visa under the Skilled Migrant Category, applicants must provide evidence of relevant work experience, qualifications aligned with the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF), and meet English language standards. This process allows you to include your partner and dependent children in the residence application while benefiting from fast-track options for genuine skilled migrants.

New Zealand Green List Occupations

Tier 1 Occupations

  • Acoustic Engineer
  • Aeronautical Engineer
  • Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics)
  • Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Structures)
  • Chemical Engineer
  • Civil Engineer
  • Civil Engineering Technician
  • Electrical Engineer
  • Electrical Engineering Technician
  • Electronic Engineering Technician
  • Electronics Engineer
  • Environmental Engineer
  • Engineering Professionals
  • Geotechnical Engineer
  • Industrial Engineer
  • Materials Engineer
  • Mechanical Engineer
  • Production or Plant Engineer
  • Structural Engineer
  • Telecommunications Engineer
  • Telecommunications Network Engineer

  • Construction Project Manager
  • Project Builder (incl. Building PM and Site Foreman)
  • Quantity Surveyor
  • Surveyor

  • Addiction Practitioner/Alcohol & Drug Clinician
  • Anaesthetic Technician
  • Anaesthetist
  • Audiologist
  • Audiometrist
  • Cardiologist
  • Cardiothoracic Surgeon
  • Chiropractor
  • Clinical Physiologists (sleep, renal, exercise, respiratory, neurology, cardiac)
  • Clinical Haematologist
  • Clinical Psychologist
  • Clinical Dental Technician
  • Counsellor
  • Dermatologist
  • Dental Specialists
  • Dental Technician
  • Dental Therapist
  • Dentist
  • Dietician
  • Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist
  • Dispensing Optician
  • Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
  • Educational Psychologist
  • Emergency Medicine Specialist
  • Emergency Nurse
  • Endocrinologist
  • Enrolled Nurse
  • Gastroenterologist
  • General Practitioner
  • Genetic Counsellor
  • Intensive Care Specialist
  • Medical Imaging Technologist
  • Medical Laboratory Scientist
  • Medical Laboratory Technician
  • Medical Oncologist
  • Medical Practitioners nec
  • Medical Radiation Therapist
  • Medical Laboratory Pre-analytical Technician
  • Medical Resonance Imaging Technologist
  • Midwife
  • Neurologist
  • Neurosurgeon
  • Nuclear Medicine Technologist
  • Nurse Practitioner
  • Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Ophthalmologist
  • Organisational Psychologist
  • Orthopaedic Surgeon
  • Orthoptist
  • Otorhinolaryngologist
  • Optometrist
  • Oral Health Therapist
  • Orthotic and Prosthetic Technician
  • Orthotist / Prosthetist
  • Osteopath
  • Paediatric Surgeon
  • Paediatrician
  • Pathologist
  • Paramedic / Emergency Medical Technician
  • Perfusionist (Cardiac)
  • Pharmacist
  • Physiotherapist
  • Physicist (Medical)
  • Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
  • Play Therapist (Hospital)
  • Podiatrist
  • Psychiatrist
  • Psychologists
  • Psychotherapist
  • Radiation Oncologist
  • Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
  • Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)
  • Registered Nurse (Community Health)
  • Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)
  • Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability)
  • Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation)
  • Registered Nurse (Medical)
  • Registered Nurse (Medical Practice)
  • Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
  • Registered Nurse (Perioperative)
  • Registered Nurse (Surgical)
  • Registered Nurse (Paediatrics)
  • Registered Nurses nec
  • Renal Medicine Specialist
  • Resident Medical Officer
  • Rheumatologist
  • Sonographer
  • Social Worker
  • Specialist Physician (General Medicine)
  • Specialist Physicians nec
  • Speech Language Therapist
  • Sterilisation Technician
  • Surgeon (General)
  • Thoracic Medicine Specialist
  • Urologist
  • Vascular Surgeon
  • Veterinarian

  • Analyst Programmer
  • Database Administrator
  • Chief Information Officer
  • Software and Applications Programmers nec
  • Developer Programmer
  • ICT Security Specialist
  • ICT Managers
  • ICT Project Manager
  • Software Engineer
  • Multimedia Specialist
  • Software Tester
  • Systems Administrator

  • Environmental Research Scientist
  • External Auditor
  • Food Technologist
  • Primary School Teacher
  • Middle School Teacher / Intermediate School Teacher
  • Kaiako Kura Kaupapa Māori – Māori-medium Primary School Teacher
  • Pouako Kura Kaupapa Māori – Māori-medium Primary School Senior Teacher
  • Secondary School Teachers – All Specialisations
  • Internal Auditor
  • Mechanical Engineering Technician
  • Naval Architect / Marine Designer
  • Other Spatial Scientist

Tier 2 Occupations

  • Backhoe Operator
  • Bulldozer Operator
  • Crane, Hoist or Lifter Operator
  • Earthmoving Plant Operator (General)
  • Excavator Operator
  • Grader Operator
  • Loader Operator

  • Automotive Electrician
  • Diesel Motor Mechanic (incl. Heavy Vehicle Inspector)
  • Drainlayer
  • Electrician (General)
  • Gasfitter
  • Motor Mechanic – General
  • Motorcycle Mechanic
  • Plumber (General)

  • Corrections Officer
  • Dairy Cattle Farmer (including Dairy Cattle Farm Manager, Assistant Dairy Farm Manager, Dairy Herd Manager)
  • School Principal
  • Halal Slaughterer
  • Teacher of the Hearing Impaired
  • Teacher of the Sight Impaired
  • Special Education Teachers nec
  • Special Needs Teacher
  • Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) – if working in a primary, intermediate, or secondary school

 

Take the Next Step with the Latest Green List Update

The green list update opens new opportunities for skilled professionals to secure residence in New Zealand through green list roles. Some occupations qualify for immediate residence, while others follow a structured work-to-residence pathway, both designed to meet the needs of migrants and employers alike.

Start Your Migration Journey Today

Contact Tri-Nations Migration for a free assessment and expert visa advice. Our licensed team is ready to help you navigate the process and move forward with confidence.

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