New Zealand is a country with a growing economy and a diverse range of industries, from agriculture and tourism to healthcare and construction. However, like many other countries, New Zealand faces a shortage of skilled workers in certain occupations. To address this issue, the government regularly updates a skill shortage list that identifies the occupations in which there is a shortage of skilled workers. This list is a valuable resource for both employers and immigrants looking to work in New Zealand. In this article, we will take a closer look at the skill shortage list in New Zealand and categorize the skills by long-term, short-term, and regional shortages.
Long-term shortages:
- Construction-related occupations: These include construction project managers, quantity surveyors, and building inspectors.
- Engineering professionals: This category includes mechanical, electrical, and civil engineers.
- Health professionals: There is a long-term shortage of certain types of health professionals in New Zealand, including doctors, nurses, and midwives.
- ICT professionals: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is a rapidly growing industry in New Zealand, and there is a long-term shortage of ICT professionals, including software developers, analysts, and programmers.
Short-term shortages:
- Agriculture and forestry workers: This category includes farm managers, agricultural technicians, and forestry scientists.
- Chefs and bakers: There is a current shortage of skilled chefs and bakers in New Zealand.
- Healthcare assistants: Due to an aging population, there is currently a shortage of healthcare assistants in New Zealand.
- Retail managers: Retail is a significant industry in New Zealand, and there is a shortage of skilled retail managers.
Regional shortages:
- Chefs and hospitality workers: There is a high demand for skilled chefs and hospitality workers in tourist destinations such as Queenstown and Rotorua.
- Dairy farm workers: New Zealand is a major producer of dairy products, and there is a high demand for dairy farm workers in rural areas.
- Construction workers: The demand for construction workers is high in cities such as Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.
- Healthcare workers: Some regions in New Zealand, such as Northland and the West Coast, have a shortage of certain types of healthcare workers.
In conclusion, the skill shortage list in New Zealand is an essential tool for employers and immigrants looking to work in the country. By identifying the skills that are currently in demand, the list helps ensure that New Zealand has a skilled workforce to meet its economic needs. If you are considering moving to New Zealand to work, it is worth checking the skill shortage list to see if your skills are in demand.
For more up-to-date information, please visit ‘Green List Roles’ published by New Zealand Immigration.
For job seekers, please read our article about New Zealand job websites.
