New Zealand Green List 2026: Full Tier 1 and Tier 2 Occupation List Explained

Imagine landing a job in New Zealand that fast-tracks you straight to residency—no waiting around for years on end. That's the power of the **New Zealand Green List 2026**, designed to fill critical skill shortages in our economy with talented workers from around the world. Whether you're a Kiwi employer scouting top talent or an overseas professional eyeing a new life Down Under, understanding the full **Tier 1 and Tier 2 occupation lists** is your first step to making it happen.

What is the New Zealand Green List?

The Green List is Immigration New Zealand's targeted approach to attract skilled migrants for roles where we desperately need expertise. Launched to replace outdated systems, it splits into **Tier 1** (Straight to Residence) and **Tier 2** (Work to Residence after two years). Roles are selected based on labour market data, ensuring they support our growing sectors like healthcare, construction, and tech.

Key benefits include:

• Straight to Residence Visa for Tier 1: Apply for permanent residency on arrival if you meet qualifications and job offer criteria.
• Work to Residence Visa for Tier 2: Work for two years, then transition to residency.
• Exemptions from some points-based requirements under the Skilled Migrant Category.
• Alignment with the new National Occupation List (NOL), replacing ANZSCO from March 2026.

Updates happen regularly—new roles added, some removed—to match 2026's economic needs, like booming infrastructure and an ageing population.

Green List Tier 1: Straight to Residence Pathway

**Tier 1 occupations** offer the golden ticket: immediate residency eligibility. These are high-demand roles with proven shortages, often requiring specific qualifications or registration with NZ bodies like the Medical Council or Engineering NZ. Here's a breakdown of key sectors with full lists where available.

Construction and Infrastructure

With massive projects like Auckland's City Rail Link and housing initiatives, construction leads the pack:

• Construction Project Manager
• Project Builder (including Building Project Manager and Site Foreman)
• Quantity Surveyor
• Surveyor

Healthcare and Medical Professionals

Our hospitals and clinics are stretched thin—expect long lists here:

• Clinical Physiologist
• Clinical Psychologist
• Dentist (Dental Practitioner or Dental Surgeon)
• Dermatologist
• General Practitioner
• Registered Nurse (various specialities: Aged Care, Critical Care, etc.)
• Physiotherapist
• Psychiatrist
• Surgeon (General)
• Veterinarian

Full health list includes over 50 roles like Radiologists, Paediatricians, and Speech Language Therapists. Registration with bodies like the Nursing Council is mandatory.

Education and Social Services

• Primary School Teacher
• Secondary School Teacher
• Social Worker
• Kaiako Kura Kaupapa Māori (Māori-medium Primary School Teacher)

Business and Other Tier 1 Roles

• External Auditor
• Internal Auditor

Tip for employers: Offer a job at or above the median wage (updated annually—check Immigration NZ for 2026 rates) to qualify.

Green List Tier 2: Work to Residence Pathway

**Tier 2** roles require two years of NZ work experience before residency, but you can start on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). These support growing industries like trades and tech.

Trades and Technical Roles

Hands-on skills are gold in 2026:

• Metal Fabricator
• Pressure Welder
• Welder
• Fitter (General) / Fitter and Turner / Fitter-Welder
• Metal Machinist (First Class)

National Occupation List (NOL) Additions from March 2026

From 9 March 2026, 47 new skill level 1-3 roles join for AEWV, many overlapping Green List:

NOL Code	Occupation
141113	Head Chef/Executive Chef
223312	Organic Conservation Specialist
232114	Building Information Modeller
261214	Virtual Reality (VR) Specialist
261331	Enterprise Architect
841112	Aquaculture Farm Supervisor
841527	Sheep Farm Supervisor

(Full list includes farm supervisors, ICT specialists, and more.)

ICT and Emerging Tech

• Web Developer (261212)
• Software Engineer (261313)
• ICT Project Manager (135112)

Note: Some roles like Chef de Partie (351314) and Sous Chef (351315) are Amber-listed but may qualify under NOL.

Qualifications, Skills, and Eligibility Requirements

It's not just the job—prove your skills:

• Health roles: NZ registration (e.g., Veterinary Council for vets).
• ICT: Honours degree in relevant engineering or 5+ years experience (e.g., Maya for animators).
• Trades: NZQF Level 4+ qualification or equivalent experience.
• Job offer from accredited employer; median wage threshold applies.

For Kiwis hiring: Use the Immigration NZ Green List search tool to verify roles and get your business accredited via INZ.

Practical Tips for Employers and Migrants

1. Check the latest list: Use Immigration NZ's online tool—lists update frequently.
2. Prepare documents: Passports, qualifications, police certificates, and English tests (IELTS 6.5+).
3. Accreditation: Employers need INZ approval; costs around $700-2000.
4. Family inclusion: Partners and kids can join on dependent visas, access KiwiSaver and healthcare.
5. Avoid pitfalls: Roles like Hairdresser or Retail Manager are Red/Amber—stick to Green List.

Next Steps to Tap into the Green List

Ready to hire or migrate? Head to Immigration New Zealand's Green List tool today—search your role, confirm quals, and connect with accredited employers via sites like Seek.co.nz. For employers, start accreditation now to beat the rush. With our economy humming in 2026, these roles won't stay vacant long. Get skilled workers on board and build a stronger NZ together.