Visa Sponsorship Jobs in New Zealand Over NZD 80,000
You can find many visa sponsorship jobs in New Zealand that pay NZD 80,000 or more. These roles span industries like healthcare, IT, and engineering.
The main job hubs are Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Major employers in these cities actively sponsor international workers.
Current High-Paying Roles Available
Several roles offer salaries over NZD 80,000 and come with visa sponsorship. For example, software engineers in Auckland and Wellington often earn between NZD 90,000 and 120,000.
Healthcare positions such as general practitioners and senior nurses can earn NZD 80,000 to 200,000, depending on experience and location. Engineering roles like civil and electrical engineers usually earn NZD 85,000 to 140,000.
Data analysts and cybersecurity specialists also start at NZD 80,000. These jobs require recognized qualifications and relevant work experience.
Demand Across Key Cities
Auckland has the most visa sponsorship jobs, especially in IT and healthcare. Christchurch and Dunedin have growing job markets in engineering and medical roles.
Manukau offers opportunities mainly in healthcare and administrative positions. These cities support industries that need skilled workers due to local shortages.
You will find most listings on websites like Trade Me Jobs and Kiwi Health Jobs. Employers in these areas value international applicants who meet the qualifications and visa requirements.
Primary Employers for Sponsored Positions
Leading companies offering sponsorship include Datacom and Trade Me for tech jobs. In healthcare, Kiwi Health Jobs and Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora) often sponsor doctors and nurses.
For engineering, companies like Fletcher Building and Alpine Energy provide support. These employers follow New Zealand’s visa sponsorship process and often assist with relocation.
Partner and family visas are commonly available to sponsored workers through these organizations. Checking employer ratings and job details on Trade Me and other job portals can help you find the right match.
Types of Work Visas and Sponsorship Requirements
To work in New Zealand and earn NZD 80,000 or more, you need to understand the visa types, eligibility, and your employer’s role in sponsorship. Different visas have specific requirements around qualifications, salary, and approved employers.
Eligibility Criteria for Skilled Workers
You need a job offer from a New Zealand employer to apply for most work visas. Your job must be on the Skilled Occupation List or Green List to qualify as a skilled worker.
You should earn at least the median wage (NZD 29.66 per hour in 2025). Earning NZD 80,000 or more makes you eligible for longer visa durations.
Your qualifications and work experience must align with the job you’ve been offered. Immigration New Zealand may check your education, certificates, and practical experience.
Essential Documentation and Processing Steps
You must provide a valid passport and a recent photo. Your application needs proof of your job offer, such as a contract or employment letter from the accredited employer.
You also need to submit evidence of your qualifications and proof of salary. Some visas require health and character checks.
After compiling documents, you apply online through Immigration New Zealand. Providing complete documents speeds up the process.
Role of Accredited Employers
Your employer must be on Immigration New Zealand’s list of accredited employers to sponsor your visa. These employers are authorized to hire skilled overseas workers.
They provide a job offer with at least 30 hours per week. If they pay you at or above the median wage, your visa might be valid for up to three years.
Accredited employers handle parts of the visa sponsorship process. Choosing a company from the approved list increases your chance of visa success.
Industries and Occupations With High Sponsorship Demand
Visa sponsorship opportunities appear mostly in sectors facing skill shortages. These roles pay well and are central to New Zealand’s key industries.
Information Technology and Engineering
If you have skills as a software developer, cybersecurity expert, or data analyst, you are in demand. New Zealand needs engineers in civil, structural, and electrical fields.
Employers sponsor skilled IT and engineering professionals. The tech industry values experience in AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.
Engineering roles focus on infrastructure and project development. Continuous work visas of up to three years support professionals in these fields.
Companies like Spark New Zealand sponsor foreign workers through the AEWV scheme. Your chances improve with two years of relevant experience.
Healthcare and Caregiving Roles
Healthcare roles such as doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals are highly sought after. You can find sponsorship through the Kiwi Health Jobs program with the required qualifications.
There is also demand for caregiving staff in elder care and disability support. These roles provide vital services and stable career paths.
Employers pay at least the New Zealand minimum wage, but many healthcare jobs start well above NZD 80,000 annually. Visa durations for healthcare professionals align with the maximum continuous stay allowed under AEWV rules.
Agriculture and Farming
Farm managers and forestry workers often need visa sponsorship in New Zealand. These jobs involve managing large farms or maintaining forestry operations.
You should have experience in farm management, animal care, or forest conservation to qualify. Farms dealing with dairy and crop production seek skilled workers during peak seasons.
Agricultural roles may offer shorter visa durations but can extend up to three years if classified under ANZSCO Level 4 or 5 positions. This sector suits those with practical skills and a strong work ethic.
Construction and Trades
New Zealand’s construction sector needs project managers, quantity surveyors, and skilled tradespeople. You can expect sponsorship if you have experience in plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, or site management.
Visa sponsorship for trades helps address labor shortages from ongoing infrastructure projects. The AEWV scheme supports longer stays for lower-skilled workers in construction roles.
Your application is stronger if you show two years of experience and qualifications. Accredited employers like Mainfreight and Fonterra support migrant workers in these roles.
Salaries often reach or exceed NZD 80,000, especially in management positions.
Top Companies and Recruitment Platforms for Sponsored Jobs
Finding a visa sponsorship job in New Zealand means knowing where to look and who the trusted employers are. Focus on accredited companies, reliable job sites, and recruitment agencies that handle visa requirements well.
Major Accredited Employers
You should consider applying to New Zealand’s top accredited employers. These companies have official approval to sponsor work visas and often offer high-paying jobs.
For example, Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand) hires many healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses, offering good pay and direct pathways to residence.
Other major employers include:
- Fonterra Co-operative Group (dairy, process engineering roles)
- Air New Zealand (aviation and tech specialists)
- Fisher & Paykel Healthcare (medical device engineers)
These companies are listed by the New Zealand government’s immigration site as fully accredited. They sponsor roles that often meet or exceed the NZD 80,000 salary mark.
Best Job Search Websites
To find visa sponsorship jobs, use dedicated New Zealand job search platforms with frequent employer listings. Trade Me Jobs is one of the most popular sites, with thousands of job ads, including many offering visa sponsorship.
Other useful platforms include:
- SEEK – Offers a special filter for visa sponsorship jobs.
- Kiwi Health Jobs – Focused on healthcare jobs that frequently sponsor visas.
- New Zealand Government Jobs Portal – Lists roles from public sector employers who are often accredited sponsors.
These websites let you filter listings by visa eligibility and salary, making your search more focused.
Trusted Recruitment Agencies
Working with recruitment agencies can give you an edge, especially if they specialize in sponsored employment. Agencies like Extrastaff Ltd and Stellar Recruitment focus on trades, engineering, and industrial roles that pay well and come with visa sponsorship.
These agencies often assist with visa paperwork, making the application process easier. They also keep updated listings of current vacancies from accredited employers.
Using recruitment agencies known for visa sponsorship support can speed up your job search and improve your chances of landing a role with a salary over NZD 80,000.
Salaries, Benefits, and Career Growth
When you find a visa sponsorship job in New Zealand that pays NZD 80,000 or more, you often get more than just a salary. Many roles offer extra benefits, support with moving, and clear paths to stay long term.
Typical Pay Ranges by Sector
Salaries vary by industry but often start around NZD 80,000 for skilled roles. For example:
- Healthcare: Registered nurses earn NZD 75,000 to 95,000. Specialists like surgeons can make NZD 120,000 to 200,000.
- Information Technology: Software engineers typically earn between NZD 90,000 and 120,000. Cybersecurity specialists can earn NZD 100,000 to 140,000.
- Engineering: Civil and electrical engineers earn between NZD 85,000 and 140,000.
- Agriculture and Horticulture: Farm managers earn around NZD 70,000 to 100,000.
- Hospitality: Hotel managers earn between NZD 80,000 and 120,000.
These salaries reflect demand for skills and experience, especially in high-need regions or specialized roles.
Additional Perks and Relocation Support
Many employers offer benefits beyond your pay. Relocation packages can cover flights, moving costs, and initial housing support.
Some also help with visa application fees and provide orientation programs to ease your transition. You might receive professional development opportunities like training and certification support.
Flexible work options such as hybrid or remote hours are common, especially in IT roles. Family members often qualify for dependent visas.
Your spouse can work or study in New Zealand, and your children can attend school. This adds value to your employment package.
Long-Term Pathways to Residency
Visa sponsorship jobs often come with opportunities to settle in New Zealand permanently. After working in a sponsored role for a required period, you can apply for residency through pathways like the Skilled Migrant Category.
Certain roles, especially in healthcare and engineering, have clearer and faster routes to residency. Maintaining your sponsored job and meeting English language and health requirements are key.
Residency allows you to live, work, and access social services without restriction. It also opens doors for family reunification and greater job flexibility across New Zealand.
Living and Working in New Zealand as a Sponsored Employee
When you move to New Zealand with a visa sponsorship, you will experience varied living conditions depending on your city. Your work-life balance, access to services, and community support will shape your daily life.
Costs, climate, and lifestyle choices differ across locations like Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin.
Quality of Life and City Comparisons
Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, offers diverse job opportunities and urban amenities. You can expect a fast-paced lifestyle with good public transport but higher living costs.
If you work in Manukau, a suburb of Auckland, you benefit from a mix of urban life and local community feel. Christchurch provides a more relaxed pace with lower housing costs and easy access to outdoor activities.
It’s ideal if you prefer mild weather and less traffic than Auckland. Dunedin is smaller with a strong educational environment, lower rent, and vibrant cultural events.
It suits those seeking a close-knit community and cooler climate. Your salary of NZD 80,000 or more will go further in Christchurch and Dunedin compared to Auckland.
Cultural Integration and Support Services
New Zealand values diversity and offers many services to help you settle in. As a sponsored employee, you can access orientation programs and language classes.
Local support groups in Auckland and Christchurch assist with cultural integration. These cities have large immigrant communities and organizations that help with job networking.
You can find employment rights and legal support through employer resources. Government agencies also provide assistance.
Some visa conditions require you to maintain good work and health standards. Access to healthcare and social services is important.
Building connections early can ease your transition. Many cities host cultural events and welcome programs where you can meet others from your home country or new local friends.