Live and Work in New Zealand: Visas, Rent and First Steps

New Zealand hires skilled migrants in health, construction, engineering, tech and trades, but the system is employer-led. You need a real job with an accredited employer before almost any route opens.

This hub covers the main routes, what rent and healthcare really look like, and what to do in your first month.

The main routes at a glance

Accredited Employer Work Visa

This is the starting point for most people. The employer gets accredited and has the job approved through a job check, then you apply. Since March 2025 the job must pay the market rate and at least the minimum wage, which Employment New Zealand lists as NZD 23.95 an hour from 1 April 2026. Our full AEWV guide covers skill levels, English tests and family rules.

Skilled Migrant Category

From 24 August 2026 the SMC has three pathways: the 6-point test, a Skilled Work Experience pathway and a Trades and Technician pathway. All need a skilled job with an accredited employer, and you must be 55 or younger. See our Skilled Migrant Category guide.

The Green List (still open)

INZ still runs both Green List tiers in 2026.

• Tier 1, Straight to Residence: a job or offer with an accredited employer in a Tier 1 role, full-time and permanent (or fixed-term for 12+ months). It must pay the rate set for that role, or NZD 35.00 an hour where none is set. You must be 55 or younger and meet English, health and character rules. INZ lists the fee as from NZD 6,450, with 80% of applications decided within 3.5 months.
• Tier 2, Work to Residence: 24 months of work in a Tier 2 role within the last 30 months, at the pay rate that applied when you started. INZ says your time still counts if your job is later removed from the list.

On INZ's Green List appendix, Tier 1 includes roles such as registered nurse, software engineer and civil engineer. Tier 2 includes roles such as electrician and plumber. Many need NZ registration. Lists are reviewed, so check your exact occupation on immigration.govt.nz.

Cost of living: rent first

Rent will be your biggest cost. The official source is Tenancy Services' market rent tool (run by MBIE). It uses bonds lodged over the previous 6 months and shows lower quartile, median and upper quartile weekly rents by suburb and property type.

One example from the tool, for Avondale in Auckland, February to July 2026:

That's one suburb, not a national average. Rents in Wellington, Christchurch and regional towns are different, so search your target suburb before you accept a job offer. Rent in New Zealand is quoted per week, not per year as in Nigeria.

Bond and upfront costs:

• A landlord can charge a general bond of up to 4 weeks' rent. On NZD 500 a week, that's a maximum of NZD 2,000.
• The landlord must lodge the bond with Tenancy Services, which holds it until the tenancy ends. Ask for proof it was lodged.
• Budget for rent in advance as well as the bond when you first move in.

For other costs (food, power, transport), Stats NZ's consumers price index tracks how prices are changing. Check the latest release, and use your job offer's pay to build a weekly budget before you commit.

Healthcare: who gets public care

Public healthcare in New Zealand depends on your visa.

• Resident visa holders: most can get publicly funded care.
• Work visa holders: generally eligible only if the work visa is valid for 2 years or more from your first day in New Zealand. A shorter visa usually means you pay full price for non-accident care.
• Everyone, including visitors: ACC, the accident compensation scheme, covers personal injury from accidents in New Zealand. In most cases you won't pay for accident treatment.

If you or your family aren't eligible, get private health insurance before you travel. Once eligible, enrol with a GP (family doctor) clinic near you. Enrolled patients usually pay lower fees.

Your first month: step by step

1. Apply for your IRD number before or on arrival. Inland Revenue's new-arrival process uses your INZ application number and passport, and you must apply by your visa's final arrival date. Approved numbers arrive in about 2 days. Without one, your employer has to tax you at the no-declaration rate.
2. Open a bank account. Your employer needs it for pay, and you'll need it for bond and rent.
3. Get a local SIM. Many services, including IRD and banks, verify you by text.
4. Find a place. Check the market rent tool, view in person if you can, and never pay a bond to someone you haven't verified.
5. Enrol with a GP if you're eligible, or confirm your insurance if not.
6. Check your driving licence. You can usually drive on an overseas licence for a limited period. Check the NZ Transport Agency rules for converting yours.
7. Enrol children in school after checking their domestic or international status.
8. Keep every payslip. You'll need them for any later residence application.

First-month checklist

• Passport and visa approval saved digitally and in print
• IRD number applied for (by your final arrival date)
• Bank account opened and details given to your employer
• NZ SIM card active
• Tenancy agreement signed and bond lodgement confirmed
• GP enrolment or private health insurance sorted
• Children's school enrolment checked
• Employment agreement, job description and payslips filed for residence later
• Original academic documents and police certificates brought from Nigeria

Before you move: Nigerian prep list

• Passport: renew early if it has less than a few years left. Passport and NIN timelines can stretch.
• English test: AEWV roles at skill level 3 to 5 need IELTS 4.0 or equivalent, and residence needs IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. Nigerian degrees don't count as English evidence.
• Qualifications: you may need an NZQA International Qualification Assessment for residence or registration.
• Police clearance: get it from the Nigeria Police Force.
• Money: budget for flights, bond, rent in advance and a few weeks of living costs before your first pay.

Comparing destinations? See our guides to living and working in Canada and the UK.

Figures here were checked against Immigration New Zealand, Tenancy Services, Inland Revenue and Employment New Zealand in October 2026. They change regularly, so confirm on the official pages before you make decisions.