Professions / Welders, mechanics and plumbers / New Zealand
Welders, mechanics and plumbers
to New Zealand.
The Trades and Technicians pathway is the main trades route to residence.
What the official sources say
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The Trades and Technicians pathway needs a relevant qualification and at least 4 years of post-qualification work experience, including at least 18 months of skilled work in New Zealand.
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The Accredited Employer Work Visa is the usual first step into a job: a full-time offer from an accredited employer, plus 2 or more years of relevant experience or a qualification at level 4 or higher.
Checked against the official pages on 8 November 2026. Rules change, so JO confirms the current position before you rely on it.
What this page does not tell you
Which occupation code your job maps to, whether it is currently eligible, and how many points or what score you would need. Those depend on your exact duties and on lists and thresholds that change, so JO confirms them for your case rather than guessing here.
The usual steps
- 01
Document your trade and your hours
Employer letters, payslips and certificates for the trade you want assessed.
- 02
Find your trade’s assessment route
A few trades have a compulsory practical assessment; many are assessed on documents.
- 03
Plan any licence
Plumbing and refrigeration work is licensed in many places.
- 04
Prove your English and choose the pathway
JO matches your trade to the routes that fit.
Next step
Find out where
you stand.
The readiness check is free and takes about eight minutes.