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Where should I aim in New Zealand? Straight answers on jobs, regions and pay for Zimbabwean workers

News · 2026-08-28 · 4 min read

Zimbabwean workers considering New Zealand tend to ask the same few things: which industry, which region, which age group and what about pay. The country’s latest employment figures answer them better than guesses do. Here are the answers, with the caution that the numbers are provisional for three months.

Which industry should I look at?

Healthcare and social assistance added 6,581 jobs over the year (2.3%), the largest source of new employment. Public administration and safety followed with 6,418 (4%), education and training with 2,630 (1.2%) and construction with 1,810 (0.9%). Professional, scientific and technical services lost 2,078 jobs (1.1%). If you work in nursing, aged care or allied health, the figures are encouraging. A ZIMSEC result or a HEXCO certificate, however, does not automatically equal New Zealand registration or licensing, so check what your profession requires. For trades, see our article on New Zealand’s plumbing shortage.

Which region?

The South Island and central North Island are outperforming the north at present.

Is the market growing overall?

Yes, modestly. Roughly 18,000 filled jobs were added over the year to July, taking the total to 2.34 million. Between June and July, employers added a further 7,746 roles on a seasonally adjusted basis, a 0.3% lift.

Who is getting hired?

Women gained 7,959 jobs (0.7%) against 3,819 (0.3%) for men. Employment among people aged 65 and over jumped 4.1%, adding 5,407 jobs. The 35 to 39 age group recorded the largest raw gain, up 9,030 (3.2%), while 30 to 34 year olds lost ground, down 5,180 (1.8%). This is useful for people moving later in a career, but it does not mean age never matters. Check the visa rules that apply to you.

If you are weighing a family move, think about schools, housing and travel as well as work. The strongest regions for jobs are not always the cheapest places to live, and a smaller town with fewer openings may suit some households better. Write down what matters most to you and rank the regions against it, so that the employment figures sit alongside your own priorities and not above them.

What about pay?

Total gross earnings reached $16.5 billion in July, up $607 million (3.8%) on the year, so employers are paying more as well as hiring more. That is relevant if you are budgeting for a move, though your own pay will depend on the role and employer.

A last point on sources of work. Public services and healthcare employers often recruit through formal processes with clear criteria, while construction and trades employers may care most about proven experience and the right tickets. Read job advertisements closely for the exact wording, because the way a role is described tells you what evidence to prepare. Keep your own records of projects, references and training together in one place.

Common mistakes Zimbabwean workers make

• Looking at pay without checking the cost of living where you plan to settle.
• Treating provisional figures as a promise of work.
• Assuming a growing sector will recognise your local qualification without a separate assessment.
• Skipping advice from a licensed immigration adviser, or from a migration agent on the MARA register for Australia, and leaving a police clearance from the Criminal Record Office until the last minute when one is requested.

Make your experience easy to read with Build AI CV, read why New Zealand is winning back its own people for the wider picture, and see our jobs page.

Frequently asked questions

Is healthcare the best bet?

It added the most jobs, but registration rules still apply.

Are technology jobs falling?

Professional, scientific and technical services lost 2,078 jobs.

Which region is weakest?

Northland, which lost 1,526 jobs.

How reliable are the numbers?

They are provisional for three months.

Are wages going up?

Total gross earnings rose 3.8% on the year.

Key takeaways

• Healthcare, public administration, education and construction are growing.
• Canterbury, Auckland and Waikato lead; Northland is weak.
• Earnings rose by $607 million (3.8%).
• Older and female workers gained strongly.
• Check registration rules and treat the data as provisional.

#new zealand jobs #regions #pay growth #zimbabwe #employment data