New Zealand is loosening its residency rules to attract skilled migrants as record numbers of citizens head overseas. Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis announced two new residency pathways, starting in mid-2026, one for experienced professionals and another for trades and technical workers.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said the goal is to help employers retain experienced migrants who are already boosting the economy. The move comes as 73,400 New Zealanders left between July 2024 and July 2025, compared with just 25,800 returning.
Critics, including New Zealand First’s Winston Peters, argue the country risks training migrants who later move to Australia. Do you think easier residency will solve workforce shortages, or deepen the “stepping stone” problem?
