Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on September 22, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleNew Zealand introduces new residency pathways for skilled migrants to boost the economy by filling workforce gaps. The policy faces opposition from New Zealand First.
WELLINGTON (Reuters) -The New Zealand government said on Tuesday it was introducing two new pathways for migrants to gain residency as part of their efforts to boost the country’s economy.
Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis said in the statement that skilled and experienced migrants play an important role in plugging workforce gaps, and in turn help businesses to grow.
“Businesses told us it was too hard for some migrants to gain residence, even when they had crucial skills and significant experience that was not available in the existing workforce. We’re fixing it,” she said.
The new pathways are for skilled workers and tradespeople and technicians, and require them to have relevant experience both overseas and in New Zealand and to meet salary thresholds, the statement said.
New Zealand’s economy has been struggling having seen negative growth in three of the last five quarters and the government has been introducing a number of policies aimed at supporting it, including boosting foreign investment in the country.
While the country's net migration has remained positive, it has come off the highs seen following the reopening of the borders in 2022 as a historically high number of New Zealanders leave.
Government coalition partner New Zealand First said it does not support the policy.
(Reporting by Lucy CraymerEditing by Marguerita Choy)
The new pathways are designed for skilled workers, tradespeople, and technicians, requiring relevant experience both overseas and in New Zealand, along with meeting salary thresholds.
The government aims to boost the economy by addressing workforce gaps, as businesses have reported difficulties in gaining residence for skilled migrants.
New Zealand's economy has been struggling, experiencing negative growth in three of the last five quarters, prompting the government to introduce various supportive policies.
New Zealand First, a government coalition partner, has expressed that it does not support the new residency policy.
While New Zealand's net migration remains positive, it has decreased from the highs seen after the borders reopened in 2022, coinciding with a historically high number of New Zealanders leaving the country.
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