Soft Landing NZ

By Brett Corlett | Soft Landing Podcast – Episode 15

There are over 100,000 people who immigrate to New Zealand every year with the intention of making it their home. Leaving behind everything they know, they face the challenge of learning new norms, values, and ways of life. For many, this transition is tough, and finding a job becomes one of the biggest hurdles. In this blog, I want to share what I’ve learned about the current job market in New Zealand, why times are tough right now, and why I still believe there is hope.

The Reality of the Current Job Market

At the moment, New Zealand is only just starting to come out of a recession. Unemployment has risen from around 3% to over 6%, which might not sound like a lot, but in a country of only 5 million people, it is significant. Thousands of people from both the public and private sectors have lost their jobs due to restructures, and this has flooded the job market with talent. This means employers have a wide choice of candidates already in the country, making it much harder for immigrants to even get an interview.

Why It’s So Hard for Immigrants

Many of you are applying for hundreds of jobs and hearing nothing back, or worse, facing rejection after rejection. The truth is, with so much local talent available, employers naturally want to hire people who are already here. It’s also easier and faster for them, since hiring someone offshore can take months due to visa processes. Networking is another big factor in New Zealand. A lot of jobs never even make it to job boards, they’re filled through personal connections.

The Bigger Picture

Another factor is that after the pandemic, New Zealand opened its borders and welcomed a large number of immigrants, at the same time as the economy was still struggling. This created a situation where there are more job seekers than jobs available. On top of that, many Kiwis are moving to Australia for better opportunities, which means the skills gap is very uneven, there are shortages in some areas but oversupply in others.

Where There is Still Hope

Despite all this, there is hope. If you have a high-end specialized skill, such as in healthcare, IT, education, or construction, you may still have opportunities. These are the skills New Zealand desperately needs, and they’re listed on the government’s Green List. For others, it may take time, but I believe things will start to improve in 2026 as the economy recovers and unemployment begins to drop again.

What You Can Do

If you’re serious about making New Zealand home, here are five things to keep in mind:

1. Be very clear about your WHY. Know why you want to move and remind yourself of it on tough days.

2. Do your homework. Research salaries for your skillset and compare them against the real cost of living in New Zealand.

3. Understand your visa pathway. Work with a licensed immigration adviser to know how you can become a resident and eventually a citizen.

4. Get visa-ready. Have everything prepared so you can move quickly when you do get a job offer.

5. Be prepared financially and emotionally. Immigration is expensive and emotionally challenging—you will need grit to succeed.

Final Thoughts

I know times are tough right now, but I don’t want you to lose hope. I believe the market will improve, and opportunities will open up again for immigrants. For now, be patient, keep preparing, and stay focused on your long-term goal. Immigration is not easy, but for my family, it has been one of the best decisions we’ve ever made, and I hope it can be for you too.

If this resonated with you, please share it with others who may need to hear it.

🎧 Listen to Episode 15 – Why You Can’t Get an Interview and Job in New Zealand at the moment

📢 Stay Connected

I’d love your help.
The Inner Circle App is coming soon — a free space for migrants to connect, learn, and belong in New Zealand. We’d love your input! Help us shape it so it truly supports your needs.

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