Two new pathways to residency for skilled migrants have been announced by the Government, aimed at plugging gaps in the workforce and helping businesses hold on to workers.
Today's announcement has seen coalition party NZ First invoke the "agree to disagree" clause. It had concerns that the new pathways could be used as a stepping stone for people to get into Australia.
The two new pathways, a skilled work experience pathway and a trades and technician pathway, would come into effect in mid-2026.
“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," Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis said.
“We’re fixing it.”
Willis and Stanford will speak to media about the announcement. Watch the live stream here.
The skilled work experience pathway was for migrants in skilled roles who had at least five years of directly relevant work experience. This included at least two years of experience in New Zealand, where they were paid at least 1.1 times the median wage.
The trades and technician pathway was for migrants in specified skilled roles with a relevant qualification at level four or above. They also needed to have at least four years of relevant post-qualification skilled work experience – including at least 18 months in New Zealand, where they were paid at or above the median wage.
“These changes are part of a suite of smart, flexible and nuanced immigration solutions we’ve introduced," Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said.
Stanford said additional eligibility restrictions would be placed on some occupations. More information on these occupations and requirements would be provided before the pathways opened.
The Government would also reduce the amount of time migrants with New Zealand university qualifications needed to work before gaining residency.
"This is about further incentivising people to study here - and keep contributing after they graduate,” Stanford said.
NZ First invokes 'agree to disagree' clause
NZ First said this morning it would invoke the "agree to disagree" clause over the announcement.
Leader Winston Peters said the party was concerned that those who gained residency would become citizens, using their New Zealand passport to leave for fast-tracked visas in Australia. He said almost half of NZ citizens applying for Australian citizenship last year were born elsewhere.
Peters said: "New Zealand is being used as a stepping stone into Australia. We take them in, train them, up-skill them, look after their families, and then they emigrate. How is this an effective immigration policy?"
He called for a system that "consistently provides young Kiwis with the skills we need domestically, working alongside the education system, which fills the skills we need in our industries".
"This is not a new issue — while we recognise the importance of retaining some critical workers, we have serious concerns about this unfocused immigration proposal."
The party would support extending existing work visas by another three years for those already here to address short-term demands, but not making them residents.
"We cannot maintain this decades-old papering over the cracks for short-term needs.
"In the long term, we need a smart immigration system that focuses on the needs of employers in New Zealand, industry, and Kiwi workers - not policies that will lead to more immigration with no plan for our next generation."
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