Unskilled Jobs In New Zealand for Foreign Workers
Longing to breathe the pure environment and the beautiful landscape of New Zealand but do not have the high-skilled qualifications needed to be listed in the Green List? You’re not alone. The number of migrants that successfully secure entry level jobs New Zealand is thousands of migrants are able to get the first step towards life down under or to be more precise, a stepping stone.
The Work Visa (Lower-Skilled) Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
The AEWV system has since 2025 taken the lower-skilled positions. The blanket median wage requirement has been abolished under AEWV approval but under ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 jobs there are special provisions to New Zealand visa applicants.

The “Market Rate” Rule
Employing through the AEWV now will be obligatory to pay at minimum the New Zealand minimum wage (now NZD $23.50 per hour as of April 1, 2025), and to demonstrate that the wages offered are comparable to those in the market in that position, industry, and region.
- New Zealand is rated on AEWV jobs market: This is a flexible provision that allows traditionally low-wage employers (such as the hospitality industry) to employ migrant workers, on the condition that they receive a fair pay according to the local standards.
- The Skill Requirement: In case your job is in the lower skilled group (ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5), you should usually have 2 years of relevant work experience or a relevant level 4 or above qualification on the NZQCF.
The Care and Support Sector Jobs: The Best Path
The Care Workforce sector is the most promising avenue of a lower-skilled occupation to an ultimate residence status courtesy of special government deals.
Care Sector Agreement Jobs
Because of the perennial shortages, positions in aged care/disability support have a defined, more relaxed visa route.
- Reference Roles Caregiver jobs New Zealand with sponsorship, Aged care worker jobs New Zealand visa assistance and Support worker jobs New Zealand under sector agreement.
- Wages: These jobs are not paid the median wage but they have certain, guarded pay ranges that are compensatory.
- Residency: Two years of qualifying work experience (in any job), followed by application to a residency pathway of lower skilled workers New Zealand under the Sector Agreement. This will be the most obvious response to How to transition AEWV low skilled into SMC (Skilled Migrant Category) without necessarily high skills.
Seasonal and Processing Opportunities of High Volume
Seasonal work and factory processing jobs are prime in case you want to go short term entry or employment without working in the main cities.
Seasonal Work Visas (PSV & GWSV)
In the case of 2025, Immigration New Zealand has introduced new seasonal visa streams, which supersede older, more basic visa types. They are aimed at seasonal work visa New Zealand non-skilled employment, and demand a job offer by an accredited employer.
Food Processing Jobs
Dairy, meat, and seafood processing companies are large hires of Entry-level factory jobs New Zealand foreigners in regional areas New Zealand low-skill job opportunities.
- Meat Processing: Occupations such as Meat worker jobs New Zealand visa sponsorship and Butcher/Boner jobs New Zealand work visa are always vacant in the regional processing plants.
- Compliance: They are commonly AEWV positions market rate New Zealand jobs, and the process by which employers comply with AEWV still requires that they undergo the AEWV process (Accreditation, Job Check).
Job Search & Application Tips
To obtain a less skilled job under sponsorship, one has to take a specific strategy to evade non-compliant employers.
- Check Accreditation: Check only to those companies that are in the list of Accredited Employers New Zealand low-skill positions. Apply the official Immigration NZ employer tool Accreditation status check.
- Reference Sector Agreements: Use a direct search of career pages of large aged care providers (e.g., Ryman, Oceania) of Caregiver jobs New Zealand with sponsorship residency.
- Local Experience: In the case of ANZSCO 4 or 5 levels of skills, Immigration NZ expects two years of employment experience. Market your practical experience in your application.
- filter by location On sites such as Seek, filter by location ( Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Southland ) to see the Regional areas New Zealand low-skill job opportunities in manufacturing and primary industries.
FAQs
How much is the minimum wage in New Zealand?
The minimum wage rate of adults is NZD 23.50 per hour, which will be effective since April 1, 2025. This minimum should be applied to all sponsored jobs irrespective of field or level of skills.
Do I qualify as a work visa based on Kitchen hand jobs New Zealand?
In most cases, no, unless the position would come with a salary of at least the median wage rate of the Skilled Migrant Category. The exceptions are certain Sector Agreement positions (such as Care) which are separately defined Residency pathway to lower skilled workers New Zealand.
Can my partner receive a work visa in case I receive a low-skilled AEWV?
No. Being an AEWV in a low-skill position (skill level 4 or 5) means that an individual is not likely to be able to sponsor a work visa of the partner and a study visa of his or her children. It is a major limitation that aims at promoting increased skilled migration.
What is New Zealand low-skilled work visa Stand down period?
Once you have attained the Maximum stay period in low-skilled AEWV holders (3 years), you are required to spend 12 months outside of New Zealand before you can apply to another low-skilled work visa.
How does one become eligible and apply to RSE visa 2025?
RSE visa is that of seasonal work and you must be eligible country-wise and must have been offered a job by an approved RSE employer. It is short-term visa and the application should be submitted properly within the RSE scheme requirements.
Final Thought
The first step towards securing one of the Unskilled Jobs in New Zealand to Foreign Workers 2025 is to secure it. Although the route to permanent residence (Limited pathway to residency for non-Green List jobs) is not easy, other than within the Care Workforce Sector Agreement, the position will offer the local experience, earnings and a basis to upside-skill. Target compliant and accredited employers in high demand industries and spend your time in New Zealand to move into a skilled job.
Disclaimer
This employment information is used in the form of education and information. Immigration policies in New Zealand such as the AEWV jobs market gives New Zealand precedence in jobs with ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 jobs and Stand down period are frequently revised by the Immigration New Zealand (INZ). Check all of the existing wage limits. visa eligibility criteria, and employer accreditation status from the official INZ website or consult a licensed immigration adviser before making any employment or visa application decisions.
