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🇳🇿 Moving to New Zealand from South Africa

New Zealand has a large, close-knit South African community and a reputation for a safe, outdoor, family-friendly lifestyle. Many South Africans move on work visas and then get residence.

Visa routes for South Africans

  • Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV): The main work visa. It needs a job offer from an employer accredited by Immigration New Zealand.
  • Green List residence: Occupations on the Green List (many health, engineering, trades and tech roles) can go 'straight to residence' or 'work to residence' after two years.
  • Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa: Points-based residence, with points for qualifications, registration, NZ income and skilled work experience in NZ.
  • Partner visas: If your partner is a NZ citizen or resident, or holds certain work visas.

Getting your qualifications recognised

  • Nurses: Register with the Nursing Council of New Zealand, which may require a competence assessment programme.
  • Doctors: Register with the Medical Council of New Zealand.
  • Teachers: Register with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. Most need a NZQA qualification assessment first.
  • Engineers: Engineering New Zealand handles chartered membership and registration. Washington Accord degrees are recognised.
  • Accountants: CA ANZ membership; CA(SA)s have a recognition pathway.
  • Qualifications in general: NZQA International Qualifications Assessment, often needed for residence points.

Where South Africans live in New Zealand

Auckland's North Shore (Albany, Browns Bay, Torbay), Hamilton, Tauranga, Christchurch and Wellington have large South African communities, and Saffa shops and rugby clubs are easy to find. Browse South African shops, restaurants and pubs in New Zealand and upcoming Saffa events.

Settling in: practical tips

  • Rentals in Auckland are competitive. Have references and a cover letter ready when you view places.
  • Healthcare is publicly funded for residents and for work-visa holders on visas of two years or more.
  • You can drive on your SA licence for 12 months, then you need to convert it.

Official sources

Before you go, work through our emigration checklist and read up on SARS and tax residency.

This guide is general information, not immigration advice. Visa rules, thresholds and fees change often, so always check the official sources above or speak to a registered migration adviser.

Visa-sponsored jobs in New Zealand

✈︎ Visa / relocation

Drainlayer

Central North Island and Auckland, New Zealand

This role involves installing, maintaining, and repairing subsurface and surface drainage systems for residential and commercial projects, including wastewater, stormwater, and sewage systems. Key Responsibilities: - Interpret blueprints, drawings and specifications to determine the layout of systems - Install underground drainage infrastructure - Maintain sewerage systems - Check for structural…

NZ$72,800 – NZ$93,600 · 10d agoApply via RecruitZA ↗
✈︎ Visa / relocationTrades & Construction

Plumber

Nationwide, New Zealand

Plumbers are in significant demand across New Zealand, with the role appearing on Immigration New Zealand's construction and infrastructure skill shortage list. The position involves installing, maintaining, and repairing plumbing systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Key Responsibilities: - Install and maintain water supply, drainage, sanitation, and stormwater systems -…

10d agoApply via RecruitZA ↗
✈︎ Visa / relocationMining, Energy & Engineering

Civil Machinery Operator

Central North Island and Auckland, New Zealand

Operators manage heavy construction equipment including bulldozers, backhoes, dump trucks, and hydraulic cranes. Operating controls to excavate, break, drill, level, compact, move, load and spread earth, rock, rubble, soil and other materials forms the core responsibility. Key Responsibilities: - Equipment setup and attachment selection (buckets, winches, shovels, hammers) - Operating hydraulic…

NZ$62,400 – NZ$72,800 · 10d agoApply via RecruitZA ↗
✈︎ Visa / relocationMining, Energy & Engineering

Water Engineer

Nationwide, New Zealand

This role involves designing and developing water and wastewater infrastructure systems across New Zealand. Engineers work on projects including treatment facilities, pumping stations, and pipeline networks while collaborating with regional teams, local government, and indigenous partners to deliver sustainable solutions aligned with the nation's "Local Water Done Well" initiative. Key…

NZ$130K – NZ$190K · 10d agoApply via RecruitZA ↗
See all 195 →

A taste of home in New Zealand