Why the New Green List for Trades Might Not Be the Game-Changer We Hoped For

When Immigration New Zealand recently announced that 10 new trades roles would be added to the Green List from August 2025, there was a real sense of relief—finally, some recognition for extra trades that keep this country running. For years, sectors like manufacturing, construction, and transport have been asking for more support in recruiting and retaining essential workers. So, on paper, this update sounds like great news.

But here’s the problem: the wage thresholds attached to these roles are so high, they may block most of the very people the policy is supposed to help.

Green List for Trades the Roles: A Step in the Right Direction

Let’s start with the positive. From 18 August 2025, trades such as metal fabricators, welders, fitters, machinists, panel beaters, and a few others will be added to the Green List under the Work to Residence pathway.

That means workers in these roles can become eligible for residence after two years of full-time work in New Zealand, as long as they meet the other usual criteria like age, English, and character requirements.

These are workers New Zealand desperately needs. It’s a logical move—one that should, in theory, help fill gaps and bring stability to industries facing chronic shortages.

But Here’s the Catch: The Pay Rates Are High

To actually qualify for this residence pathway, workers need to earn some very ambitious hourly rates:

• Most roles require $43.63/hour, which works out to over $90,000 a year

• Others (like panel beaters and vehicle painters) are set at $38.59/hour, still around $80,000+ annually
  

Now, I work with these industries and few tradespeople in these roles are earning that, especially outside the big cities.

In some cases, these rates are $5-$10/hour higher than the going rate, even for experienced, full-time workers. Employers in regional areas, small businesses, or sectors with tight margins simply can’t meet these thresholds without major cost increases—and for workers, it puts the dream of residency just out of reach.

So, What Are We Really Achieving?

This is where it gets frustrating. The goal of expanding the Green List was to help businesses retain skilled tradespeople and give workers a clear path to residency. But with these high wage requirements, we may end up excluding most of them from ever qualifying.

We’ve effectively created a policy that says: “You’re essential—but only if you’re paid like a corporate manager.”

The reality is:

• Migrants might work in New Zealand for years and still not qualify

• Employers might keep facing turnover and shortages

• And we could lose good workers to countries like Australia, where the road to residency is often faster and more accessible
  

What Could Make It Work?

This isn’t about lowering standards. It’s about matching policy with the real economy. Here are a few things that could help:

• Wage thresholds that reflect actual market pay—not just what looks good in a policy document

• Factoring in time spent working and employer support, not just salary alone

• More flexible updates to the Green List, based on real-time labour market needs
  

Final Thought

Yes, it’s good to see progress. Including trades on the Green List is a step forward. But if we want these workers to stay—and to feel valued—we need to offer them a pathway that’s realistic, not just theoretical.

Because at the end of the day, we can’t build homes, fix machines, or keep goods moving without them.

Want to talk about how this might affect your visa options or hiring plans? Get in touch