A growing teacher shortage in New Zealand has prompted swift action from both the Ministry of Education and Immigration New Zealand (INZ). A new forecast reveals the country will be short by approximately 1,250 teachers by the end of 2025, particularly in primary and secondary schools.
In response, New Zealand is stepping up recruitment of qualified overseas teachers—and new immigration pathways are making the move more accessible than ever.
Straight to Residence Pathway Now Open to Primary School Teachers
From 26 March 2025, primary and intermediate teachers, as well as Māori-medium educators, are eligible to apply directly for New Zealand residence under the Green List – Straight to Residence Visa.
Previously, teachers had to work in New Zealand for two years before becoming eligible. Now, eligible teachers can apply directly from offshore — a major incentive for those looking to fast-track their move.
To qualify, candidates must:
- Hold a valid job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer
- Be registered with the New Zealand Teaching Council
Early childhood teachers remain under the two-year work-to-residence requirement.
Why This Change Is Happening Now
This significant policy shift follows a miscalculation by the Ministry of Education in 2023, which originally forecasted an oversupply of teachers for 2025. However, updated data—driven by immigration-fueled school roll growth and changes in teachers’ collective agreements—revealed the opposite: a critical shortage.
Education and Immigration Minister Erica Stanford acted swiftly, citing unreliable data as a key reason for the unexpected gap.
“When I became minister in 2023, the data showed we were going to be hundreds of secondary teachers short,” said Stanford. “We moved them to the immediate residency pathway and saw a strong increase in arrivals.”
That initiative brought 480 new secondary teachers into the country and provided relocation grants of up to $10,000 to another 1,200 educators.
More Support for Teachers: Training and Scholarships
The government isn’t stopping at immigration. A $53 million boost to the School Onsite Training Programme (SOTP) has doubled its reach, aiming to train and retain more local teachers. Additional efforts include new scholarships and encouraging more young people to choose teaching as a career..
Considering Teaching in New Zealand? Now’s the Time
With direct residence pathways for primary teachers, financial relocation support, and high demand for educators, it’s a great opportunity to take the next step.
Visa Advisers can help you navigate the process and check your eligibility. Get in touch with our team today to find out if you qualify and start planning your teaching journey in New Zealand.