Engineering New Zealand and Pathways® unite to support Engineers on their New Zealand journey

New Zealand’s engineering sector is the backbone of our infrastructure, innovation, and economic resilience. Yet, like many advanced economies, we face a persistent shortage of skilled engineers. To help address this challenge, Engineering New Zealand has partnered with Pathways to New Zealand® to provide expert immigration support to engineers and engineering employers across Aotearoa.

Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau represents more than 23,000 engineers nationwide, spanning disciplines from civil and structural to mechanical, electrical, and environmental engineering. As the professional body for engineers, it plays a critical role in credentialing, professional development, and advocacy. It also assesses overseas qualifications against international benchmarks such as the Washington, Sydney, and Dublin Accords—helping migrant engineers gain recognition and registration in New Zealand.

Engineers are essential to delivering New Zealand’s infrastructure pipeline, climate resilience, housing development, and technological innovation. With around 20 engineering roles currently on Immigration New Zealand’s Green List, many overseas engineers are eligible for the Straight to Residence visa pathway. Navigating ever-changing immigration policies and processes can be complex and challenging, particularly for migrants managing careers and family transitions, and for employers unfamiliar with visa requirements.

The urgency to attract and retain global engineering talent is growing. Budget 2025 allocates $6.8 billion for infrastructure investment, including major upgrades to hospitals, schools, mental health facilities, rail networks, and defence infrastructure. An additional $1.2 billion has recently been committed to the Roads of National Significance programme. These projects demand a robust and ready engineering workforce and yet, the sector has faced significant headwinds. A slowdown in infrastructure delivery over the past two years has seen more than 1,200 skilled professionals exit the industry—many through redundancy or emigration. This has disrupted graduate pathways, strained firms, and deepened the engineering skills gap. Attracting and retaining global engineering talent is no longer just a workforce issue, it is a strategic imperative. Without sufficient engineering capacity, projects stall, costs escalate, and innovation slows.

Founded in 1992, Pathways to New Zealand® is one of the country’s longest established and most trusted immigration advisory firms. Our team of 12 Licensed Immigration Advisers brings over 150 years of combined experience to the partnership, offering significant and diverse expertise to support both engineers and employers.

For engineers, Pathways® provides tailored advice on qualification recognition, professional registration, and visa pathways. For employers, Pathways® streamlines recruitment, employer accreditation, and immigration compliance—ensuring businesses are ‘immigration-ready’ and can plan their workforce needs with confidence. A dedicated online hub, co-branded with Engineering New Zealand, offers downloadable guides and resources to help engineers understand their options and prepare for a successful transition to work and life in New Zealand.

Whether you are an engineer looking to build your future here, or an employer seeking to grow your team, our partnership with Engineering New Zealand offers a trusted and strategic pathway forward. Immigration decisions are life-changing, and getting the right advice from the outset is critical.

Pathways to New Zealand® is proud to be selected to be a partner of Engineering New Zealand and we are committed to ensuring New Zealand attracts and retains the engineering talent needed to deliver the infrastructure that will shape our nation’s future.