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Live and Work New Zealand is Immigration New Zealand’s dedicated initiative to attract U.S. talent with specific in-demand skill sets.
Skills in demand & finding a job
New Zealand is actively seeking skilled U.S. professionals across the construction, engineering, technology and healthcare sectors in response to the ongoing skilled workforce shortages. The country offers significant career enhancement opportunities, family-friendly work-life balance and a dynamic business environment. You can do your life's best work in New Zealand.
Most US technical and professional qualifications are recognized here and Americans tend to fit in well to New Zealand workplaces.
Construction & engineering
New Zealand needs to attract civil, mechanical and structural engineers, project managers and quantity surveyors for a slate of infrastructure projects totalling NZ$125 billion over the next decade.
Following the 2011 earthquake that destroyed or damaged around 170,000 buildings, the rebuild in Christchurch continues with a number of large infrastructure projects. New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, is also undertaking several long-term projects ranging from construction of affordable housing, road and rail infrastructure, to waterfront facilities needed to host the America’s Cup in 2021.
More about engineering jobs and construction jobs
Healthcare
Hospitals and practices across the country are looking for sonographers, psychiatrists, anaesthetic technicians, doctors, surgeons and many other healthcare occupations.
It’s estimated we need 380 extra specialists every year to meet the OECD average by 2021. And we’ll need up to 25,000 more nurses by 2030.
With that sort of demand, there are plenty of opportunities.
Information Technology
New Zealand's tech sector is diverse and advanced. It’s a breeding ground for innovation and competes successfully on the world stage.
Right now, New Zealand needs experienced software engineers, game developers, multimedia specialists, AWS and cloud specialists and software architects, to name just a few occupations.
Whatever your niche or speciality, there could well be opportunities here.
Interested in coming to New Zealand?
Take the first step to a new life by registering your interest with Immigration New Zealand. We’ll send you personalised emails about job opportunities in your profession, life in New Zealand and choosing the right visa.
It’s free and there’s no obligation.More information
Americans tell their story
Hearing from others about their New Zealand experience is a great way to find out more about what Kiwi life may be like.
Senior Game Designer from USA talks about moving to NZ
3:09
Shaking up their lives (01:30)
An unexpected fit (02:52)
American heritage specialist talks about moving from the USA to Auckland
3:17
Discovering Auckland's heritage and heart (03:17)
Moving to New Zealand
There may be a number of visas you are eligible to apply for – each with its own criteria and application process.
Resident visas allow you to live and work in New Zealand indefinitely, temporary visas allow you to live and work in New Zealand for a set period of time and can be used as a step towards gaining residence, and the Working holiday visa is designed for young people aged 18-30.
More information
Living in New Zealand
New Zealand is a developed country and people here enjoy a standard of living that compares well with what you expect in the USA.
Of course things are different. But generally, you can expect pretty much all the conveniences of modern living without so many of the hassles.
Public healthcare in New Zealand is free or low cost if you are a citizen, resident or hold a work visa valid for two years or more.
If you have a family, New Zealand is probably one of the best choices you could make. Along with affordable, quality education, your children will be able to get close to nature and enjoy an incredibly diverse range of activities.
More information
World renowned quality of life
New Zealand has the work-life balance just right.
Working hard and getting ahead is important to us. We’re a well-developed, well-connected country with all sorts of opportunities to advance your career. But New Zealanders also believe life is for living. It’s about balancing a good day’s work with time for family and friends plus easy access to some of the world's most stunning landscapes.
Safe and secure
New Zealand consistently rates at the top of lists of the world’s most peaceful and least corrupt countries. While feeling safe is a luxury in many places, it's one that New Zealanders are accustomed to. Our strict border controls and low level of crime means safer communities, greater personal freedom and peace of mind for you and your family.
New Zealand ranked second on the 2017 Global Peace Index of safest countries to live and topped Transparency International’s 2017 Corruption Perception Index.
Space to breathe
We're similar in size to the UK and have all the benefits of an advanced Western economy - but with only a fraction of the population, so you'll have space to breathe.
Auckland, our largest city, was ranked third in the 2016 Quality of Living survey conducted annually by the global HR consultants Mercer.
New Zealand’s renowned natural beauty is never far from view. Over thirty percent of New Zealand is dedicated to national parks, boasting fertile green countryside, majestic forests and snow-capped mountains, and no part of New Zealand is more than seventy-five miles (120km) away from the ocean.
A very warm welcome
New Zealanders open their hearts to newcomers. The Maori people have a saying “He aha te mea nui o te ao. He tangata, he tangata, he tangata” which translates to “What is the most important thing in the world? It is the people, it is the people, it is the people.”
Our warmth and hospitality are a product of our size. Living on the edge of the world as we do, it’s second nature for New Zealanders to reach out and make connections.
It's not surprising then that nine out of ten migrants find the welcome they receive meets or exceeds their expectations.
More information
NZ Ready online planning tool
NZ Ready is a free online tool to help you plan your move to New Zealand, ensuring you know how things work here and have a hassle-free move.