NZ Citizens Departing, Migrants Arriving

New Zealand is facing a growing workforce challenge as more of its citizens seek opportunities overseas. New Zealand is grappling with an increasingly urgent workforce challenge, fuelled by a combination of domestic and global pressures. Rising living costs, limited career progression, and competitive salaries abroad are prompting more New Zealanders to consider opportunities offshore. At the same time, employers across critical industries — including healthcare, construction, engineering, and the service sectors — are struggling to fill roles and maintain productivity. These trends are reshaping the labour market and forcing businesses to adapt rapidly. 

Migration trends have shifted in New Zealand, with Stats NZ recording a net gain of 30,600 migrants from November 2024. This came as 127,800 people left New Zealand and more than 158,400 people relocated to New Zealand. The net figure represents a sharp slowdown compared to the peak in October 2023, when net migration surged to 135,700. This represents one of the largest outbound movements in the past decade, driven by a mix of economic pressures, cost of living, higher wages abroad, and lifestyle shifts. 

For local businesses, this trend is creating serious talent shortages. To remain resilient and meet operational demands, many New Zealand employers are turning to skilled migrant workers as a solution to bridge these workforce gaps. 

Why are New Zealanders leaving? 

There are several key factors contributing to the outflow of Kiwi workers: 

• Higher wages and opportunities overseas: countries like Australia, the UK, and Canada continue to attract New Zealand talent with better pay and career progression. 

• Cost of living crisis: rising costs in housing, transport, and daily essentials are prompting young professionals and families to explore more affordable destinations. 

• Lifestyle and family reasons: some are moving to be closer to family or to pursue international life experiences. 

• Post-pandemic career shifts: the global workforce has seen a surge in career changes, remote work opportunities, and a desire for flexibility—trends that are influencing outbound mobility. 

The impact on employers 

Sectors such as aged care, trades, agriculture, and hospitality are struggling to fill vacancies. Job ads remain open for extended periods, operational strain is increasing, and growth opportunities are being missed due to a lack of staff. 

This talent drain is particularly problematic for regional and remote employers, where access to local talent is already limited. 

Bridging the gap with migrant workers 

To address these shortages, New Zealand employers are increasingly turning to overseas talent to fill critical roles. The country’s Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme produces a clear pathway to bring in skilled workers—provided businesses meet eligibility and compliance requirements. Learn more about AEWV here. 
 

Here is how employers can act 

Become an accredited employer 
Accreditation is the first step in hiring migrants on the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). It ensures your business meets fair employment standards, provides migrant workers with adequate support, and demonstrates your commitment to ethical hiring practices. Employers must show they are financially viable, have a genuine need for migrant workers, and can offer employment that complies with New Zealand employment law. Accreditation must be renewed regularly and can be revoked if obligations are not met. 

Understand job check and labour market test requirements 
Before hiring a migrant, a job check must confirm that no suitable New Zealanders are available for the role—unless the position is on the Green List, which exempts employers from conducting a labour market test. The job check assesses the job offer, pay rate, and compliance with employment standards. It must match the role the migrant will perform and reflect market pay rates to avoid exploitation. 

Plan long-term workforce needs 
Skilled migration should be part of a broader workforce planning strategy. This includes identifying skill gaps, succession planning, and ensuring workforce sustainability. Employers are encouraged to support career development and consider residence pathways such as the Green List Straight to Residence, Work to Residence, or Care Workforce pathways. These options make job offers more attractive to skilled migrants seeking long-term settlement in New Zealand. 

Support migrant retention 
A successful migration strategy doesn’t end with recruitment. Ensure strong onboarding, cultural support, and clear communication to retain international hires and boost productivity. 

Partnering for success 

At Absolute Immigration NZ, we offer tailored immigration strategies and advice that solve workforce shortages, ensure compliance, and create sustainable hiring pipelines. 

If you are facing staff shortages or losing local talent, we are here to help you bridge the gap with skilled migrant workers, backed by experience, insights, and a people-first approach. 

Contact our team of immigration experts at aisupport@absoluteimmigration.com