Trusthaven Immigration Services

07/09/2026

🇳🇿 **ARE YOU WORKING IN AN SMC AMBER LIST OCCUPATION?**

Are you working in New Zealand as a:

🔸 Café or Restaurant Manager
🔸 Chef
🔸 Hotel or Motel Manager
🔸 Accommodation & Hospitality Manager
🔸 Baker or Pastrycook
🔸 Office Manager
🔸 Customer Service Manager
🔸 ICT Customer Support Officer / Support Technician
🔸 Web Administrator
—or another occupation on the **SMC Amber List**?

You may have a pathway to **New Zealand Residence** under the Skilled Migrant Category's **Skilled Work Experience pathway** — but **additional requirements apply**.

These include requirements relating to:

✅ Your pay rate
✅ Your relevant New Zealand work experience
✅ Additional skilled NZ work experience
✅ Your ANZSCO occupation and skill level

🎥 **Watch our video where we explain the Amber List requirements and what they could mean for your residence pathway:**

https://youtu.be/IpDDBjOMzMo

If you are working in an Amber List occupation, don't simply assume that you qualify — or that you don't. Your individual circumstances need to be assessed.

For your individual assessment to check if you qualify under any of the current residence pathways, contact our team and we will be happy to assist with this.

🌐 www.trusthavenimmigration.com

15/08/2026

Trades & Technician New Residence Pathway | Effective 24 August 2026

Are you working in New Zealand in a trade or technical occupation?

You may become eligible for New Zealand Residence under the new Skilled Migrant Category – Trades and Technician Pathway, effective 24 August 2026.

This pathway is designed for many skilled workers across industries such as:
🔧 Automotive Mechanics
🛠️ Carpenters & Joiners
⚡ Automotive Electricians
❄️ Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanics
🔩 Welders, Metal Fabricators & Fitters
🏠 Selected Plumbing Trades, Glaziers & Tilers
🎨 Painters & Panel Beaters
📡 Telecommunications Technicians
💻 Network Administrators
🐾 Veterinary Nurses
📐 Draftspersons & Engineering Technicians
🧪 Science & Laboratory Technicians..and many more occupations.

To qualify, applicants need to:
✅ Be employed in an eligible Trades & Technician occupation
✅ Hold a relevant Level 4 (or higher) qualification
✅ Have 2 years and 6 months of relevant work experience after obtaining the qualification
✅ Have 18 months of relevant skilled work experience in New Zealand
✅ Meet the required wage, English, health and character requirements.

Not sure if your occupation is on the eligible list?

At Trusthaven Immigration, we can assess:
✔ Whether your occupation qualifies
✔ Whether your qualification is acceptable
✔ Your work experience
✔ Your eligibility under the new Skilled Migrant Category

💼 Preliminary Eligibility Assessment: No charge
📞 +64 210508108
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.trusthavenimmigration.com

https://youtu.be/Xd5nwPpxaiI

10/08/2026

🇳🇿 **NEW SMC PATHWAYS START 24 AUGUST 2026**

Immigration New Zealand has released further clarifications about the new Skilled Migrant Category pathways, including:

✅ When the applicable wage threshold is set
✅ How skilled work experience is counted
✅ How the five-month grace period operates
✅ Choosing the points combination that best suits your circumstances
✅ Offshore work experience and Amber List requirements
✅ Qualification and English-language requirements

The details can make a significant difference. Your occupation, pay history, work visa grant date, employment start date, qualifications, and the timing of your work experience may all affect whether you qualify.

Read our latest article for a practical explanation:

🔗 https://www.trusthavenimmigration.com/post/new-skilled-migrant-category-pathways-important-inz-clarifications-before-24-august-2026

If you think you qualify under the Points-based, Skilled Work Experience, or Trades and Technician Pathway, obtain a professional assessment to understand your eligibility and prepare for the changes.

**Be prepared for 24 August and avoid the rush.**

📧 [email protected]
📱 +64 210 508 108
🌐 trusthavenimmigration.com

Major changes to New Zealand's Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa will take effect on 24 August 2026. Alongside the existing Points-based Pathway, two new pathways will become available: the Skilled Work Experience Pathway and the Trades and Technician Pathway.Immigration New Zealand has issued....

10/08/2026

🇳🇿 **Important Changes to the Parent Resident Visa**

From **5 October 2026**, New Zealand’s Parent Resident Visa will move to a new hybrid EOI selection system:

✅ Approximately **90% of EOIs** will be selected in date order
✅ Approximately **10%** will continue to be selected through a ballot
✅ EOIs will no longer automatically expire after two years
✅ The annual cap will remain at **2,500 visas**

The first selection under the new system is scheduled for **10 November 2026**.

If you already have an EOI in the pool—or are considering submitting one—read our latest article to understand the changes, transitional arrangements and what your family should do next:

🔗 https://www.trusthavenimmigration.com/post/new-zealand-parent-resident-visa-new-hybrid-eoi-selection-system-from-october-2026

For a professional assessment, contact Trusthaven Immigration Services:

📧 [email protected]
📱 +64 210508108
🌐 trusthavenimmigration.com

The New Zealand Government has announced significant changes to the Parent Resident Visa Category, intended to make the Expression of Interest selection process fairer and more predictable for families.From 5 October 2026, the existing ballot-based selection system will be replaced by a hybrid model...

30/07/2026

🇳🇿 NEW SKILLED WORK EXPERIENCE PATHWAY TO NEW ZEALAND RESIDENCE

From 24 August 2026, experienced migrants working in skilled occupations have a new pathway to residence under the Skilled Migrant Category.

You may be eligible if you:

✅ Have a skilled job or acceptable job offer in New Zealand
✅ Work in an ANZSCO skill level 1, 2 or 3 occupation
✅ Earn at least $38.50 per hour
✅ Have at least five years of qualifying work experience, including two years of skilled work experience in New Zealand

Different requirements apply to occupations on the Amber List, including a higher pay threshold of $42 per hour and additional New Zealand work-experience requirements.

Occupations on the Red List cannot use this pathway, as they can still qualify through the Skilled Migrant Category Points-based Pathway.

Your job title alone does not determine your eligibility. Immigration New Zealand will consider your actual duties, pay history, and each period of relevant work experience.

▶️ Watch the video below for a detailed explanation of the pathway, including the work-experience requirements and how the Amber and Red Lists operate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYNU83JjC_I

⏳ Do not wait until the new pathway opens on 24 August 2026.

Get a professional assessment now to understand whether you qualify, identify any issues with your occupation, job duties, pay rate, or work experience, and determine what evidence you should begin preparing.

**Be prepared before 24 August and avoid the last-minute rush.**

Contact Trusthaven Immigration Services to arrange your professional assessment.

🌐 trusthavenimmigration.com

26/07/2026

Are You a Teacher or a B.Ed. Graduate? Build Your New Zealand Teaching Career and a Potential Pathway to Residence

Are you:
👩‍🏫 An Early Childhood Teacher
🧸 A Preschool, Kindergarten or Montessori Teacher
🎓 A Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) Graduate
📚 A Teaching Degree Graduate
🏫 A Qualified Teacher looking to build your career in New Zealand

An approved Level 9 (Master's) Early Childhood Teaching master’s programme in New Zealand can provide a pathway to a New Zealand teaching career and, potentially, residence.

From 24 August 2026, completing an eligible New Zealand Level 9 master’s qualification will provide the full 6 points required under the Skilled Migrant Category Points-based Pathway. After completing the programme, graduates qualify for a Post Study Work Visa of up to three years, providing time to find suitable skilled employment in New Zealand.

This study pathway offers:
✅ A recognised New Zealand teaching qualification
✅ The opportunity to work towards teacher registration
✅ Six qualification points under the Skilled Migrant Category
✅ A Post Study Work Visa of up to three years
✅ Time to secure an eligible skilled teaching role
✅ A potential pathway towards New Zealand residence

Benefits for eligible families
Your partner will be eligible for:
✅ An open work visa while you complete an eligible Level 9 qualification
✅ A further work visa while you hold a Post Study Work Visa

Your dependent children will be eligible to:
✅ Accompany you to New Zealand
✅ Study almost free, as domestic students at primary or secondary or senior secondary schools
Not every Early Childhood Education programme leads to teacher registration or qualifies for this pathway. Therefore, your existing qualifications and teaching background should be assessed before you enrol.

How we can help

Trusthaven Immigration Services Limited is an Auckland-based New Zealand immigration consultancy led by a team of Licensed Immigration Advisers.

We assist students and families with New Zealand study pathways, student visas, partner and dependent child visas, post-study work visas and residence applications.

We can:
✅ Assess whether this pathway may suit you
✅ Identify an appropriate approved teaching programme
✅ Assist with admission and enrolment formalities and arrange your Offer of Place
✅ Prepare and submit your student visa application
✅ Assist with eligible partner and dependent child visas
✅ Advise you on the post-study work and potential residence pathway

Where we receive a commission from the education provider, students pay only a nominal administration fee for admission assistance and assistance with their student visa.

📋 Preliminary Eligibility Assessment: No charge

📧 [email protected]
☎️ +64 274 676 404 (available on WhatsApp)
🌐 www.trusthavenimmigration.com

21/07/2026

The Best Time to Prepare for NZ Residence Is Before the SMC Rules Change

Many people wait until new immigration policies take effect before seeking advice.

By then:
• Appointment availability becomes limited.
• Important documents may still need to be obtained.
• Some applicants discover they could have strengthened their eligibility if they had planned earlier.

The upcoming Skilled Migrant Category changes on 24 August 2026 present an opportunity for many skilled workers, but preparation remains just as important as eligibility.

A professional assessment can help you understand:
✔️ Which residence pathway may apply to you.
✔️ Whether your qualifications and work experience meet the requirements.
✔️ What evidence you should begin gathering now.
✔️ Any steps you can take before the changes take effect.

Preparation today can make your application process much smoother tomorrow.

If you're considering residence in New Zealand, we'd be happy to discuss your circumstances.

🌐 www.trusthavenimmigration.com

14/07/2026

🇳🇿 New Skilled Residence Pathways – Could You Be Eligible?

With the new Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) changes taking effect on 24 August 2026, many skilled workers are asking the same question:

"Will I qualify?"

The answer depends on factors such as:
✔️ Your occupation
✔️ Your qualifications
✔️ Your work experience
✔️ Your salary
✔️ The pathway that best matches your circumstances

The new SMC framework introduces different residence pathways, meaning there is no one-size-fits-all answer. A pathway that suits one person may not suit another.

If you are working in New Zealand and planning to make it your long-term home, now is the right time to understand where you stand.

At Trusthaven Immigration Services, we assess your individual circumstances and explain the options available under the new rules before they come into effect.

📅 Preparing early can save valuable time once applications open.

🌐 www.trusthavenimmigration.com

08/07/2026

New Skilled Residence Pathways Are Coming – Effective 24 August 2026

If you've been working in New Zealand and thought residence wasn't an option, that could soon change.
From 24 August 2026, New Zealand's Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) is changing, introducing new residence pathways for eligible skilled workers.

Depending on your occupation, qualifications, work experience and salary, these changes may create opportunities that were not previously available.

If you are:
✅ Working in New Zealand on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
✅ Employed in a skilled or highly paid occupation
✅ Planning your pathway to residence

Now is the time to understand how the new rules may apply to you.

At Trusthaven Immigration Services, we are already helping clients prepare for the upcoming changes so they are ready when the new pathways take effect.

📅 Don't wait until everyone else starts applying.

Book a professional assessment today and find out where you stand under the new Skilled Migrant Category.

📞 0274676404
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.trusthavenimmigration.com

22/04/2026

🚨 Important Update for Open Work Visa Holders in New Zealand (From April 2026) 🇳🇿

Immigration New Zealand has introduced new rules for open work visas, and if you’re currently on one (or planning to apply), this update is very important.

Here’s a simple breakdown 👇

👉 There are now 2 types of open work visas:

✅ 1. Visas that allow ANY work
You can:
✔ Work for any employer
✔ Be self-employed
✔ Run your own business

(Example: Partner visas, Post Study Work Visa)

⚠️ 2. Visas that require you to work for an employer
You:
✔ Must work for an employer
❌ Cannot run your own business

(Example: Working Holiday Visa)

🔴 Important rules for ALL open work visa holders:

❌ You cannot employ other people — even if you own a business
❌ Some industries remain strictly restricted

💡 Big clarification from INZ:
Self-employment is now clearly recognised as “work” — which removes a lot of past confusion.

🕒 Already doing something outside these new rules?
Good news 👇
You can continue until your current visa expires
…but you’ll need to follow the new rules for your next visa.

👍 Why this matters
These changes are designed to:
✔ Protect migrants
✔ Reduce confusion
✔ Ensure fair working conditions

If you’re unsure how this affects your situation, it’s best to get advice early and stay compliant.

📩 Feel free to message us if you need guidance — we’re happy to help.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has introduced important changes to open work visa conditions, effective from 20 April 2026. These updates aim to provide greater clarity around what type of work visa holders can undertake, while ensuring fair and compliant employment practices across New Zealand.Why T...