AEWV Data Reveals the Top Occupations

If you're looking for a job in New Zealand from overseas, one of the most useful questions you can ask is: What types of jobs are migrant workers actually getting in New Zealand?

Rather than relying on assumptions about where the opportunities might be, we analysed official Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) data.

The figures provide an interesting picture of the occupations in which significant numbers of AEWVs were approved between March 2025 and March 2026.

Across all occupations, 47,028 AEWV applications were approved during the 13-month period.

So, where were migrant workers finding employment?

Some of the Leading Occupations for AEWV Approvals

The monthly top-occupation data shows particularly high numbers of approvals across hospitality, construction, healthcare, agriculture and the trades.

Chef – 4,046 approvals

Chef was one of the standout occupations in the data, with 4,046 approvals recorded across the monthly top-occupation figures between March 2025 and March 2026.

The numbers remained substantial throughout the period, including:

• 389 approvals in July 2025
• 397 in September 2025
• 384 in October 2025
• 347 in January 2026
• 329 in February 2026
• 298 in March 2026

For experienced chefs considering New Zealand, the figures demonstrate the significant role migrant workers have played within the country's hospitality workforce.

However, previous visa approvals do not mean every chef vacancy is suitable for an overseas applicant. Individual employers, jobs and visa requirements still need to be considered.

Carpenter – 2,753 approvals

Construction also features prominently.

The data records 2,753 Carpenter AEWV approvals across the monthly top-occupation figures during the period analysed.

Carpenter approvals remained relatively consistent, including:

• 227 in September 2025
• 237 in October 2025
• 231 in January 2026
• 244 in February 2026
• 224 in March 2026

For migrant job seekers with genuine carpentry experience, this is useful evidence that New Zealand employers have continued to employ overseas workers in the occupation.

Personal Care Assistant – 2,371 approvals

Healthcare and care-related employment was another significant area.

There were 2,371 Personal Care Assistant approvals recorded in the monthly data.

Monthly approvals increased to:

• 227 in October 2025
• 239 in February 2026
• 215 in March 2026

Aged or Disabled Carer also appeared consistently among the leading occupations throughout the period.

Together, these figures show the significant contribution migrant workers continue to make within New Zealand's care workforce.

Hospitality Goes Beyond Chefs

It wasn't only chefs appearing prominently in the data.

Cafe or Restaurant Manager was consistently among the leading occupations for AEWV approvals, as was Retail Manager (General).

This demonstrates an important point for overseas job seekers: migrant employment in New Zealand isn't limited to traditional trades or highly technical occupations.

Management and supervisory experience can also be relevant — provided the applicant genuinely meets the requirements of the particular position.

Dairy Farming Continues to Employ Migrant Workers

Dairy Cattle Farmer appeared in the top occupation data in every month covered.

Monthly approvals included:

• 96 in July 2025
• 95 in February 2026
• 111 in March 2026

Agriculture remains an important part of the New Zealand economy, particularly outside the country's largest cities.

For migrants who have genuine commercial farming experience, being open to regional New Zealand can significantly broaden the geographical scope of a job search.

Trades Also Feature Strongly

The data also highlights opportunities across practical trades.

Painting Trades Worker appeared consistently among the leading occupations, while Metal Fabricator was also represented throughout the monthly top-occupation data.

This is particularly relevant for overseas candidates with practical trade experience.

New Zealand employers aren't simply looking for a job title on a CV. They may need candidates who can demonstrate experience with particular:

• Tools and equipment
• Materials
• Machinery
• Construction methods
• Processes
• Industry environments

If you're applying from overseas, clearly explaining what you can actually do is important.

What Does the AEWV Data Tell Migrant Job Seekers?

There is a broader lesson in these figures. Migrant workers are being employed across a diverse range of occupations in New Zealand.

The data highlights employment across areas including:

Hospitality: Chefs and Cafe or Restaurant Managers

Construction: Carpenters and Painting Trades Workers

Healthcare and care: Personal Care Assistants and Aged or Disabled Carers

Agriculture: Dairy Cattle Farmers

Trades and manufacturing: Metal Fabricators

Retail: Retail Managers

But there is an important distinction.

AEWV approvals do not equal current job vacancies.

These figures show where visas have previously been approved. They do not mean there are currently thousands of vacancies available in those occupations or that every New Zealand employer in these industries is recruiting migrant workers.

They also don't guarantee that someone working in one of these occupations will qualify for a visa.

Instead, the data gives job seekers something useful: evidence of the types of occupations in which New Zealand employers have been employing migrant workers.

Which Countries Are Migrant Workers Coming From?

The nationality data provides another interesting picture of New Zealand's migrant workforce.

The Philippines, India and China consistently recorded the largest numbers among the leading nationalities for AEWV approvals.

Other nationalities regularly appearing in the monthly top 10 included:

• Fiji
• Sri Lanka
• South Africa
• Great Britain
• Vietnam
• Nepal
• Thailand

This demonstrates just how international New Zealand's migrant workforce has become.

What Should You Do If Your Occupation Is on This List?

Don't simply start applying for every New Zealand vacancy with the same job title. Use the information as a starting point. Look for jobs that genuinely match your experience, read the requirements carefully and determine whether the employer is prepared to consider candidates in your circumstances.

Then make sure your CV clearly demonstrates the skills the employer is actually asking for.

For example, if you're a carpenter, don't simply write: “10 years' carpentry experience.”

Explain the type of construction you've worked on, the work you've performed, the tools and materials you've used and the level of responsibility you've held. The same principle applies whether you're a chef, care worker, dairy farmer, fabricator or manager.

Looking for Jobs in New Zealand?

NZ Visa Jobs is built to help connect migrant job seekers with New Zealand employment opportunities. If you're currently overseas or already in New Zealand, you can search opportunities by occupation and location and focus your applications on positions that genuinely match your experience.

Browse the latest New Zealand jobs and find opportunities that match your skills.