New Zealand is actively recruiting foreign workers to fill labor shortages—and you don’t need a university degree to qualify. From farm work and hospitality to aged care and construction, thousands of unskilled and semi-skilled jobs are available for immigrants willing to work hard. With a minimum wage of NZ$23.15 per hour (approximately US$14), free public healthcare, and one of the world’s best quality of life rankings, New Zealand offers immigrants a genuine pathway to permanent residency and citizenship.

This guide covers everything you need to know: which unskilled jobs are in demand, how much they pay, which visas allow you to work, and exactly how to apply from your home country. Whether you’re looking for seasonal farm work, a hospitality job, or a pathway to permanent residency, New Zealand has options for workers without formal qualifications.

Why New Zealand Needs Immigrant Workers

New Zealand faces significant labor shortages across multiple industries:

• Small Population: Only 5 million people. Not enough local workers to fill all jobs.
• Aging Workforce: Many industries losing workers to retirement.
• Seasonal Demands: Agriculture and horticulture need thousands of workers during harvest seasons.
• Tourism Recovery: Hospitality sector rebuilding after pandemic. Massive staff shortages.
• Construction Boom: Major infrastructure and housing projects across the country.

Key Insight: New Zealand WANTS immigrants to fill these roles. The government has created specific visa pathways to make it easier for unskilled workers to come and work legally.

Best Unskilled Jobs for Immigrants in New Zealand

Agriculture and Horticulture Jobs

New Zealand’s agricultural sector is the largest employer of immigrant workers. No experience required for most entry-level positions.

• Fruit Picking: Apples, kiwifruit, grapes, berries. Seasonal work (Nov-May). Pay: NZ$23-30/hour.
• Vineyard Work: Pruning, harvesting grapes. Marlborough region especially. Pay: NZ$23-28/hour.
• Dairy Farm Workers: Milking, feeding, general farm duties. Year-round work. Pay: NZ$25-35/hour.
• Meat Processing: Work in processing plants. Year-round. Pay: NZ$24-32/hour.
• Pack House Workers: Sorting, packing, quality control. Indoor work. Pay: NZ$23-27/hour.

Pro Tip: Kiwifruit picking in Bay of Plenty (March-June) and apple picking in Hawke’s Bay (Feb-May) have the highest demand. Employers often provide accommodation.

Hospitality and Tourism Jobs

New Zealand’s tourism industry is desperate for workers. Hotels, restaurants, and tour operators are actively recruiting overseas.

• Hotel Housekeeping: Cleaning, room preparation. No experience needed. Pay: NZ$23-26/hour.
• Kitchen Hand/Dishwasher: Restaurant support roles. Entry-level. Pay: NZ$23-26/hour.
• Wait Staff: Servers, baristas, bar staff. Basic English required. Pay: NZ$23-28/hour + tips.
• Fast Food Workers: McDonald’s, KFC, Subway, etc. Nationwide opportunities. Pay: NZ$23-25/hour.
• Tour Guides/Activity Assistants: Adventure tourism support. Good English needed. Pay: NZ$24-30/hour.

Aged Care and Healthcare Support

New Zealand’s aging population has created massive demand for care workers. Many positions offer pathways to residency.

• Aged Care Assistant: Helping elderly with daily tasks. Training provided. Pay: NZ$25-32/hour.
• Home Care Worker: Supporting people in their homes. Flexible hours. Pay: NZ$24-30/hour.
• Disability Support Worker: Assisting people with disabilities. Rewarding work. Pay: NZ$25-32/hour.
• Hospital Orderly: Patient transport, cleaning, support. Pay: NZ$24-28/hour.

Important: Care work is on New Zealand’s Green List, meaning it can lead to residency. This is one of the best pathways for unskilled workers seeking permanent immigration.

Construction and Trades Helper Jobs

You don’t need trade qualifications to start in construction. Many entry-level roles lead to apprenticeships.

• Construction Laborer: General site work, carrying materials, cleanup. Pay: NZ$25-35/hour.
• Traffic Controller: Managing traffic at work sites. Quick certification. Pay: NZ$26-35/hour.
• Scaffolding Assistant: Helping set up scaffolding. Training provided. Pay: NZ$25-32/hour.
• Painter’s Helper: Assisting painters, preparation work. Can become apprentice. Pay: NZ$24-30/hour.

Other In-Demand Unskilled Jobs

• Warehouse Workers: Picking, packing, forklift operation. Pay: NZ$23-30/hour.
• Factory Workers: Manufacturing, food processing. Pay: NZ$23-28/hour.
• Cleaners: Commercial and residential cleaning. Pay: NZ$23-28/hour.
• Delivery Drivers: Requires NZ license. Pay: NZ$24-32/hour.
• Security Guards: Retail, events, sites. License required (can obtain in NZ). Pay: NZ$24-30/hour.

Salary Comparison: Unskilled Jobs in New Zealand

Job	Hourly Rate (NZD)	Annual (Full-Time)	USD Approx.
Fruit Picker (seasonal)	$23-30	$48,000-62,000	$29,000-37,000
Dairy Farm Worker	$25-35	$52,000-73,000	$31,000-44,000
Hotel Housekeeping	$23-26	$48,000-54,000	$29,000-32,000
Aged Care Assistant	$25-32	$52,000-67,000	$31,000-40,000
Construction Laborer	$25-35	$52,000-73,000	$31,000-44,000
Warehouse Worker	$23-30	$48,000-62,000	$29,000-37,000

Note: NZD to USD conversion approximate at 0.60 rate. Actual rates fluctuate.

Visa Options for Unskilled Workers

Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

The main visa for unskilled workers. You need a job offer from an accredited NZ employer.

• Requirements: Job offer from accredited employer, meet health and character requirements
• Duration: Up to 3 years (varies by job and pay rate)
• Minimum Pay: Must meet median wage (NZ$29.66/hour) for some roles, or sector agreement rates
• Can Lead to Residency: Yes, for roles on Green List or after sufficient time/income
• Application Fee: NZ$750 (approximately US$450)

Recognized Seasonal Employer (RSE) Visa

For seasonal agricultural work. Very popular for Pacific Island workers.

• Requirements: Job offer from RSE employer, primarily for horticulture/viticulture
• Duration: 7-9 months per season
• Countries: Priority for Pacific Islands, but others can apply through employers
• Benefits: Employer arranges accommodation, pastoral care. Return flights often included.

Working Holiday Visa

For young people (usually 18-30 or 18-35) from eligible countries.

• Requirements: Age 18-30 (or 35 for some countries), from eligible country, funds for support
• Duration: 12 months (can extend 3 months with qualifying work)
• Eligible Countries: USA, UK, Germany, France, Japan, Korea, and 40+ others
• Best For: Trying NZ before committing. Can work any job.

Sector Agreements (Special Pathways)

Some industries have special agreements allowing lower-wage workers to get visas:

• Aged Care: Care workforce sector agreement. Can earn below median wage and still get visa.
• Meat Processing: Sector agreement for meat workers.
• Seafood Processing: Agreement for fish/seafood factory workers.
• Construction: Some roles covered by infrastructure agreement.

How to Find Jobs from Overseas

Best Job Search Websites

• co.nz: Largest NZ job site. Filter by “visa sponsorship” or “immigration support.”
• Trade Me Jobs: Popular NZ site. Good for hospitality, retail, farm work.
• co.nz: International site with NZ jobs. Use “sponsorship” keyword.
• Immigration NZ Job Board: Official government job listings seeking migrants.
• Backpacker Board: Good for seasonal/farm work. Employers used to hiring foreigners.

Recruitment Agencies Hiring Overseas Workers

• AFFCO (Meat Processing): Recruits internationally for meat plants.
• Mr Apple, Zespri Partners: Fruit industry employers who recruit overseas.
• Healthcare NZ, Geneva Healthcare: Aged care recruiters who sponsor visas.
• AWF, Tradestaff: Labor hire agencies covering construction, warehousing.

Pro Tip: Contact recruitment agencies directly. Tell them you’re overseas and willing to relocate for work. Many have dedicated overseas recruitment teams.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply from Overseas

1. Research Jobs: Search job sites for roles in your target industry. Note which employers mention visa support.
2. Prepare Documents: Create NZ-style CV, gather ID documents, references, and any certificates.
3. Apply to Multiple Employers: Cast wide net. Apply to 20-50+ jobs. Mention you need visa support.
4. Interview (Usually Online): Video interviews are standard for overseas candidates. Prepare for time zone differences.
5. Receive Job Offer: Employer must be accredited and willing to support your visa.
6. Employer Files Job Check: Employer submits “Job Check” to Immigration NZ proving they tried to hire locally.
7. Apply for Visa: Once Job Check approved, you apply for AEWV online.
8. Medical and Police Checks: Complete required health exam and provide police certificate.
9. Visa Approved: Processing typically 2-8 weeks. Book flights!
10. Arrive and Start Work: Employer usually helps with initial accommodation and orientation.

Cost of Moving to New Zealand

Budget for these expenses:

Expense	Estimated Cost (USD)
Visa Application Fee	$450-500
Medical Examination	$200-400
Police Certificate	$20-100 (varies by country)
Flight (one-way)	$800-2,000
Initial Accommodation (2-4 weeks)	$400-1,200
Living Expenses (first month)	$1,000-2,000
TOTAL ESTIMATE	$3,000-6,000

Note: Some employers provide accommodation and may cover some relocation costs, especially for seasonal work.

What to Expect: Living in New Zealand

• Healthcare: Free public healthcare for work visa holders. Hospitals, doctors, emergencies covered.
• Cost of Living: Auckland expensive. Smaller cities and towns much more affordable.
• Accommodation: Expect NZ$200-400/week for a room, NZ$400-700/week for apartment (varies by location).
• Weather: Mild but variable. Winters (Jun-Aug) can be cold, especially South Island.
• Culture: Friendly, relaxed. Strong work-life balance. Outdoor lifestyle popular.
• Safety: Very safe country. Low crime rates. Welcoming to immigrants.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

11. Arriving Without a Job/Visa: You cannot work on a tourist visa. Always secure job and work visa first.
12. Paying Recruitment Fees: Legitimate NZ employers do NOT charge workers for jobs. This is a scam red flag.
13. Not Checking Employer Accreditation: Verify employer is accredited on Immigration NZ website before accepting offer.
14. Underestimating Living Costs: NZ is not cheap. Bring enough savings to cover first month before payday.
15. Only Applying to Auckland: Smaller towns have more jobs, lower costs, and less competition.
16. Ignoring Visa Conditions: Work only for the employer on your visa. Violating conditions = deportation risk.

Quick Action Checklist

17. Check if you’re eligible for Working Holiday Visa (if 18-30/35)
18. Create accounts on Seek.co.nz, Trade Me Jobs, Indeed NZ
19. Prepare NZ-style CV (2 pages max, references included)
20. Search for jobs with “visa sponsorship” or “immigration support”
21. Apply to 20-50+ positions across multiple employers
22. Contact recruitment agencies specializing in your target industry
23. Prepare for video interviews (test equipment, research company)
24. Verify employer accreditation before accepting any offer
25. Start saving $3,000-6,000 for visa, flights, and initial expenses
26. Get police certificate and schedule medical exam once job offer received

Start Your New Zealand Journey Today

New Zealand offers genuine opportunities for immigrants without degrees or specialized skills. From fruit picking and hospitality to aged care and construction, thousands of jobs are available for workers willing to start at entry level and work hard. The combination of good wages, free healthcare, high quality of life, and pathways to permanent residency makes New Zealand one of the best destinations for unskilled immigrants.

Start by searching job boards today and applying widely. The sooner you connect with an accredited employer willing to sponsor your visa, the sooner you can begin your new life in one of the world’s most beautiful countries.

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Visa requirements, wage rates, and policies change frequently. Always verify current information on the official Immigration New Zealand website (immigration.govt.nz) before making decisions. Individual eligibility depends on your specific circumstances.