Published by Impact Immigration Advice | March 2026 Trade worker For a long time, the path to New Zealand residence was more straightforward if you had a university degree than if you had a trade. An experienced roof tiler, painter, or locksmith who had spent years contributing to New Zealand's economy often found the residence system wasn't really designed with them in mind. Unless they were on a skill shortage list of some kind. That changes from late August 2026. What is t