You’ve advertised. You’ve asked around. You’ve exhausted the local talent pool. Still no luck.
Sound familiar?
You’re not alone. Across Aotearoa, sectors like construction, healthcare, education, and IT are facing critical skill gaps. And they’re not temporary. These are structural shortages, driven by long-term demographic and economic trends.
Here’s how international recruitment can help, and how to do it well.
Why the skills shortage isn’t going away
It’s easy to blame COVID or migration pauses, but New Zealand’s workforce gap runs deeper. Here’s what’s driving it:
- Ageing workforce – 1 in 4 Kiwi workers will retire within the next 10 years.
- Low unemployment – hovering under 4% since 2022.
- Training lags – tertiary and trade training can’t keep up with demand.
- Booming sectors – aged care, digital, and infrastructure are all growing faster than we can staff them.
- Global competition – Australia, Canada, and the UK are all chasing the same talent The result? Roles stay vacant, projects stall, and staff burn out.
What international hiring can (and can’t) solve
Let’s be clear: international recruitment isn’t about replacing Kiwi workers. It’s about filling genuine shortages with people who want to build a life and career in New Zealand.
Global hiring can help you:
- Fill hard-to-recruit roles
- Reduce pressure on existing teams
- Add experience and global insight
- Build a longer-term workforce plan
It won’t:
- Deliver same-week results (expect 3–6 months)
- Replace the need for onboarding and retention support
- Work if visa and employment compliance is ignored
Common misconceptions (and the truth)
“It’s too complicated.”
Not with the right partner. We manage sponsorship, job checks, visa paperwork and relocation, so you don’t have to.
“What if they don’t settle?”
Migrants who are supported, both personally and professionally, are often more loyal than local hires. We help with cultural onboarding, community links and even permanent residency planning.
“Is it ethical?”
Absolutely, if done right. We only work with government-licensed offshore recruiters, and we ensure zero fees are passed to candidates.
“Won’t it take too long?”
With proper planning, you can align arrivals with key projects or seasonal peaks. The average lead time is 3–6 months, less if your candidate is already in New Zealand.
Most in-demand roles we’re sourcing offshore
These are some of the roles we regularly help employers fill:
Construction – Quantity surveyors, carpenters, engineers
Healthcare – Registered nurses, aged care workers
Trades – Electricians, welders, fitters
Education – ECE and STEM teachers, Te Reo educators
IT & Digital – Developers, cybersecurity, systems analysts
Manufacturing – CNC machinists, fabricators, forklift drivers
We recruit from the Philippines, South Africa, India, the UK and beyond, all through licensed, ethical channels.
How to get started (the process at a glance)
Working In supports you across every stage:
1. Scope the role
We help define whether it qualifies under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), Green List, or sector agreements.
2. Source global talent
We run targeted campaigns in offshore markets and pre-screen every candidate for skills, motivation, and visa eligibility.
3. Get accredited
We manage your accreditation status and job check process, including pay thresholds and advertising.
4. Visa and immigration
We handle all applications, tracking, family coordination, and INZ communication.
5. Relocation and onboarding
We assist with flights, accommodation, IRD setup, banking, and cultural support.
6. Retention
We track visa dates, advise on PR pathways, and help your workers settle long-term.
Why employers trust Working In
We’re the only NZ partner offering immigration, recruitment, and relocation under one roof with:
- Licensed NZ immigration advisers
- Accredited global recruitment channels
- End-to-end compliance support
- 25 years solving skills shortages for Kiwi businesses
Sources
- Immigration New Zealand (INZ)
- Jobs and Skills Australia
- Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)
- roberthalf.com
- open.edu.au
