New Zealand’s Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) program continues to serve as the primary pathway for foreign professionals seeking employment and residency in 2025. Thousands of companies have been approved by Immigration New Zealand to hire international workers directly — many offering relocation packages, housing assistance, and long-term career opportunities.
This guide lists the top 20 accredited employers in New Zealand offering visa sponsorship in 2025, explains their industries, average salaries, and why they are ideal choices for migrants looking to build stable careers and settle permanently in the country.
1. What Is the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)?
The AEWV allows approved New Zealand employers to sponsor foreign workers for up to three years. Employees can later apply for residency after 24 months of continuous work under certain salary and skill thresholds.
- Minimum Pay Rate 2025: NZD $31.61 per hour (median wage).
- Visa Duration: Up to 3 years, renewable.
- Residency Pathway: Work-to-Residence or Skilled Residence after 2 years.
2. Top 20 Accredited Employers Offering Sponsorship in 2025
- Xero Ltd (Wellington & Auckland) – New Zealand’s largest SaaS accounting platform. Hires software engineers, data scientists, and customer success managers globally.
- Average Salary: NZD $110,000 – $150,000
- Perks: Visa sponsorship + relocation allowance + remote flexibility.
- Datacom Group Ltd – One of Australasia’s largest IT firms employing over 6,000 staff. Actively sponsors software, cybersecurity, and infrastructure roles.
- Salary: $95,000 – $160,000
- Visa Type: AEWV (tech category)
- Fonterra Co-operative Group – Global dairy export leader hiring food technologists, engineers, and logistics managers.
- Salary: $85,000 – $130,000
- Housing: Subsidized in regional centres.
- Air New Zealand – National airline recruiting maintenance engineers, flight crew, and IT support staff.
- Salary: $70,000 – $140,000
- Benefit: Travel discounts + sponsorship.
- Fisher & Paykel Healthcare – Manufactures medical equipment and hires international R&D talent.
- Salary: $95,000 – $145,000
- Residency: Green List eligible.
- Downer New Zealand – Infrastructure giant sponsoring civil engineers, technicians, and project managers.
- Salary: $85,000 – $130,000
- Visa: AEWV construction stream.
- ACC (New Zealand Accident Compensation Corp) – Government agency offering analyst and IT positions with direct sponsorship.
- Salary: $90,000 – $120,000
- Perk: Public-sector benefits + PR pathway.
- AWS New Zealand (Amazon Web Services) – Employs cloud support engineers and solution architects with visa support and relocation.
- Salary: $120,000 – $180,000
- Green List: Yes – ICT specialists.
- Canva New Zealand – Design platform offering marketing, UX, and engineering roles.
- Salary: $100,000 – $150,000
- Benefit: Hybrid work + visa support.
- ANZ Bank New Zealand – Financial sector leader hiring data analysts, IT security staff, and finance experts.
- Salary: $95,000 – $145,000
- Visa: AEWV or Skilled Residence.
- Spark NZ – Telecommunications company offering customer support and network engineering roles.
- Salary: $80,000 – $120,000
- Benefit: Hybrid work + visa sponsorship.
- Synlait Milk Ltd – Food production company in Canterbury region recruiting machine operators and QA specialists.
- Salary: $70,000 – $100,000
- Housing: Free accommodation for shift workers.
- Oceania Healthcare – Aged-care provider hiring registered nurses and caregivers with visa support.
- Salary: $75,000 – $105,000
- Residency: Green List Healthcare.
- Beca Group – Engineering and consulting firm employing civil, structural, and environmental engineers.
- Salary: $100,000 – $150,000
- Visa: AEWV Engineering Stream.
- Restaurant Brands Ltd (KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell NZ) – Recruiting managers and chefs with sponsorship and housing.
- Salary: $65,000 – $90,000
- Perk: Free meals + accommodation support.
- SkyCity Entertainment Group – Hospitality and casino operator hiring chefs, bartenders, and IT support.
- Salary: $70,000 – $110,000
- Benefit: Visa sponsorship + staff housing.
- Heritage Hotels NZ – National hotel chain recruiting front-office and culinary staff with free lodging for seasonal roles.
- Salary: $60,000 – $90,000
- Visa: AEWV Hospitality.
- Fujitsu New Zealand – Global IT services provider with roles in technical support and project delivery.
- Salary: $90,000 – $130,000
- Visa: AEWV or Green List (Tech).
- Silver Fern Farms – Food processing leader sponsoring factory and logistics roles with housing options in regional NZ.
- Salary: $60,000 – $85,000
- Benefit: Accommodation and transport provided.
- Sky TV New Zealand – Media and broadcasting company hiring digital marketers, engineers, and producers.
- Salary: $95,000 – $140,000
- Visa: AEWV Media category.
3. Industries Leading Sponsorship Recruitment in 2025
- Information Technology & Cloud Services
- Engineering & Infrastructure
- Healthcare & Aged Care
- Hospitality & Tourism
- Finance & Data Analytics
- Food Processing & Agriculture
4. Step-by-Step Application Guide
- Identify your target employer from the accredited list on Immigration New Zealand.
- Search their career portal or LinkedIn for “visa sponsorship” roles.
- Prepare a New Zealand-formatted resume and cover letter.
- Complete an online application and attend virtual interviews.
- Receive job offer and employer nomination token for AEWV.
- Submit visa application with medical and police clearances.
5. Average Salaries for Sponsored Roles (2025 Estimates)
| Sector | Salary Range (NZD) | Example Roles |
|---|---|---|
| IT & Software | $90,000 – $160,000 | Developers, System Architects |
| Healthcare | $75,000 – $110,000 | Nurses, Caregivers |
| Engineering | $95,000 – $150,000 | Civil, Mechanical Engineers |
| Hospitality | $60,000 – $95,000 | Chefs, Managers |
| Agriculture & Food | $55,000 – $85,000 | Plant Operators, Farm Workers |
6. Residency and PR Pathways for Sponsored Workers
- Work for an accredited employer for 24 months.
- Meet salary threshold (≥ median wage or Green List occupation).
- Apply for Skilled Residence Visa through points or occupation route.
7. Tips for International Applicants
- Verify your employer’s accreditation status before accepting offers.
- Use official portals like Seek, Trade Me Jobs, and LinkedIn to apply.
- Highlight English-medium education or experience to avoid IELTS requirements.
- Negotiate housing and relocation packages in your offer letter.
8. Useful Resources
- Immigration New Zealand – Official accredited employer register.
- New Zealand Now – Visa and lifestyle information.
- Seek NZ – Updated job listings with visa filters.
- LinkedIn Jobs NZ – Global companies with sponsorship programs.
Conclusion
With hundreds of accredited employers across sectors and clear residency pathways, New Zealand remains one of the most welcoming destinations for skilled foreign workers in 2025. By targeting verified companies on the accredited list and meeting salary and qualification criteria, you can secure a sponsored role, gain valuable experience, and transition toward permanent residency with confidence.