Jobs in skill shortage and labour shortage
Skill shortages can happen when employers find it hard to get staff with the right skills, when staff turnover is high, or if there's low unemployment.
Changes in the economy and technology, and movements of people between countries or in and out of the workforce can affect jobs in skill shortage.
Knowing which jobs are in demand can help you choose jobs or decide what subjects to study. Find out more about jobs in our jobs database which lists pay, entry requirements and job opportunities for over 400 jobs.
Immigration New Zealand's Green List and Sector Agreements show skills and labour gaps
Immigration New Zealand's Green List and Sector Agreements aim to make it easier for employers to fill genuine skills gaps by recruiting overseas workers.
These lists can also give you an idea of which jobs are in skill shortage or labour shortage.
- The Green List makes it easier for employers to attract migrants into skilled, highly paid and care workforce occupations.
- Sector agreements are a temporary measure to make it easier for employers to attract migrants to fill lower- paid roles.
- Immigration New Zealand - Green List, highly paid and care workforce roles
- Immigration New Zealand - Transport sector agreement finalised and Green list changes confirmed 26 April 2023
- Immigration New Zealand - Changes to Immigration Settings Announced Green list and Construction and Infrastructure sector agreement 23 September 2023
Immigration New Zealand's previous skill shortage lists can indicate jobs in demand
Immigration New Zealand's skill shortage lists showed that the Government was actively encouraging skilled workers from overseas to work in particular roles in New Zealand.
The skill shortage lists were last updated in 2019. They can indicate jobs that are likely to be in demand.
Find out more about jobs that were on Immigration New Zealand's long-term, regional, and construction and infrastructure skill shortage lists.
These do not include jobs on the Green List or other agreements if they weren't already on a skill shortage list.
- Arts and Media
- Hospitality, Tourism and Recreation
- Farming, Fishing, Forestry and Mining
- Construction and Infrastructure
- Business
- Health and Community
- IT and Telecommunications
- Education and Social Sciences
- Engineering
- Transport and Logistics
- Science
- Animal Care and Conservation
- Manufacturing
- Finance and Property
Jobs in IT and Telecommunications
Information Technology
Business analysts design or recommend solutions, such as computers or computer programs, to help organisations meet their goals.
Data analysts identify and describe data trends using statistics and specialised software to help organisations achieve their business aims.
Game developers write, design, program, animate and test games for computers, gaming consoles, tablets and mobile phones.
Information technology (IT) architects analyse an organisation's IT needs, recommend solutions and oversee their delivery and implementation.
Information technology (IT) helpdesk/support technicians set up computer and IT equipment and identify and fix hardware and software problems
Information technology (IT) managers plan and supervise computer and information technology services for organisations or technical teams.
Network administrators design, install and maintain computer hardware and software networks, from one-building LANs (local area networks) to worldwide WANs (wide area networks).
Penetration testers investigate security weaknesses in online systems and databases.
Security analysts create and monitor security processes and frameworks to protect an organisations information systems and computer networks from being illegally accessed.
Security consultants identify security weakness in information technology (IT), advise on IT security, and design IT security systems.
Software developers create and maintain computer software, websites and software applications (apps).
Systems administrators develop, maintain and administer computer operating systems, database management systems, and security policies and procedures.
Test analysts design and carry out tests for computer software and systems, analyse results, and identify and report problems.
Telecommunications
Line mechanics install, repair and maintain overhead and underground power lines.
Telecommunications engineers design, test and build telecommunications networks and systems.
Telecommunications technicians install, maintain and repair electronic communications equipment in telecommunications networks and internet supply systems.