New Zealand will introduce two new residency pathways in mid-2026 to attract skilled migrants and boost its struggling workforce and economy, the government announced on Tuesday, reported The Guardian.
According to The Guardian, Minister for Economic Growth, Nicola Willis, said the changes were designed to address persistent skill shortages. “Businesses told us it was too hard for some migrants to gain residence, even when they had crucial skills and significant experience,” Willis noted.
Under the plan, one pathway will cater to migrants in skilled roles who meet experience and salary thresholds. At the same time, the second will focus on trades and technical roles, with requirements for qualifications, work experience, and wage levels.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said the reforms would help retain experienced workers already contributing to the economy and recognise practical skills outside the university system, The Guardian reported.
The announcement comes amid record net migration losses, with 73,400 New Zealanders leaving between July 2024–2025, compared with just 25,800 returning. The country’s economy has also been shrinking, heightening concerns about labour shortages.
The latest move follows other immigration adjustments, including relaxed visitor visa rules for digital nomads in January and eased requirements for the “golden visa” scheme in February to attract wealthy investors.
Business New Zealand welcomed the new policy, saying it would help employers retain much-needed talent, while Infrastructure NZ urged a faster rollout.
According to The Guardian, coalition partner New Zealand First opposed the move, invoking the “agree to disagree” clause. Party leader and Foreign Minister Winston Peters criticised the plan as “unfocused,” warning that New Zealand was 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,” Peters said, pointing out that 35% of New Zealand citizens who moved to Australia in 2024 were originally born overseas, reported The Guardian.
The government insists the pathways are part of a “smart immigration system” aimed at addressing workforce gaps while supporting long-term economic growth.
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