Position: CNC Machine Operator / CNC Machinist / Metal Machinist / CNC Setter-Operator
Employer: To Be Announced (TBA)
Country: New Zealand
Employment Type: Full-Time
Relevant Skilled Occupation: Metal Machinist (First Class) – ANZSCO 323214 where the actual duties meet this classification
Skill Level: ANZSCO Skill Level 3
Experience: Skilled CNC / Machining Experience Required for Professional Positions
Salary: According to Experience, Employer & Position
2026 Adult Minimum Wage: NZD $23.95 Gross Per Hour
Working Hours: Full-Time – Minimum 30 Hours Per Week for Applicable AEWV Employment
Accommodation: Provided
Lunch: Provided During Working Days
Overtime: Available Where Required
Work Visa Assistance: Provided for Eligible Candidates
Potential Skilled Residence Pathway: Available Where the Position Qualifies as Metal Machinist (First Class) and All Requirements Are Met

WORK AS A CNC MACHINIST IN NEW ZEALAND

Applications are open for experienced CNC Machine Operators and Metal Machinists interested in full-time manufacturing and engineering employment in New Zealand.

Opportunities may be available with:

Precision-engineering companies
Metal manufacturers
Engineering workshops
Component manufacturers
Automotive suppliers
Agricultural-equipment manufacturers
Aerospace-related manufacturers
Industrial equipment businesses
Tool and die manufacturers
General manufacturing companies

Potential positions include:

CNC Machine Operator
CNC Machinist
CNC Setter
CNC Setter-Operator
CNC Lathe Operator
CNC Milling Operator
Metal Machinist
Precision Machinist

IMPORTANT OCCUPATION CLASSIFICATION

“CNC Machine Operator” is a general job title.

For New Zealand immigration purposes, the worker’s actual duties, skills and responsibilities determine the occupation.

A genuinely skilled CNC machinist position may correspond to:

METAL MACHINIST (FIRST CLASS) – ANZSCO 323214

where the duties genuinely meet that classification.

Employers must not change job titles merely to obtain a preferred immigration outcome.

AVAILABLE LOCATIONS

CNC and machining opportunities may be available in:

Auckland
Hamilton
Tauranga
Wellington
Palmerston North
New Plymouth
Napier / Hastings
Christchurch
Dunedin
Invercargill

Additional opportunities may be available throughout New Zealand’s industrial regions.

WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING?

CNC Machinists manufacture precision metal components using computer-controlled machinery.

Typical duties may include:

Reading engineering drawings
Preparing CNC machines
Loading materials
Installing tools
Setting workpieces
Entering machine settings
Loading CNC programs
Operating CNC equipment
Monitoring machining
Measuring finished parts
Adjusting offsets
Changing tools
Performing quality checks
Maintaining production records
Cleaning equipment

More experienced employees may also assist with CNC programming and process improvement.

CNC MILLING

CNC Milling Operators may manufacture precision components by removing material from metal workpieces.

Typical duties include:

Setting material
Selecting tools
Loading programs
Setting datum positions
Adjusting offsets
Monitoring cutting operations
Measuring components
Replacing cutting tools
Inspecting finished parts

CNC TURNING & LATHES

CNC Lathe Operators may manufacture cylindrical or rotational components.

Responsibilities can include:

Setting workpieces
Selecting cutting tools
Loading programs
Monitoring operations
Checking diameters
Measuring lengths
Checking threads
Making offsets
Inspecting finished components

MACHINE SETTING

Experienced operators may be responsible for setting machines before production begins.

This can include:

Selecting tooling
Installing fixtures
Positioning material
Loading programs
Setting offsets
Checking tool paths
Producing test components
Making adjustments

A CNC Setter-Operator generally has greater technical responsibility than an employee who simply loads and unloads components.

CNC PROGRAMMING

Some vacancies may require programming experience.

Candidates should mention experience with:

G-code
Conversational programming
CAD/CAM systems
Offline programming
CNC control systems

Relevant machine/control experience may include systems from manufacturers such as Fanuc, Siemens, Haas, Mazak or other industrial platforms.

Specific experience will depend on the employer’s machinery.

ENGINEERING DRAWINGS

CNC Machinists must often interpret detailed engineering drawings.

Workers may need to understand:

Dimensions
Tolerances
Surface finishes
Hole sizes
Threads
Geometric requirements
Material specifications

Accuracy is essential.

PRECISION MEASUREMENT

Machinists may use tools such as:

Vernier calipers
Micrometers
Height gauges
Bore gauges
Thread gauges
Other precision measurement equipment

Employees must ensure manufactured components meet required tolerances.

QUALITY CONTROL

Quality responsibilities can include:

Measuring components
Comparing dimensions with drawings
Inspecting surface finish
Identifying machining defects
Recording inspection data
Separating non-conforming parts
Reporting recurring defects

Some employers may operate formal quality-management systems.

MATERIALS

Machinists may work with:

Mild steel
Stainless steel
Aluminium
Tool steel
Brass
Bronze
Other engineering materials

Applicants should identify materials they have previously machined.

PRODUCTION MANUFACTURING

Some CNC positions involve high-volume production.

Employees may:

Operate several machines
Load raw material
Remove completed parts
Measure samples
Replace tools
Monitor machine performance
Record production quantities

PRECISION & LOW-VOLUME ENGINEERING

Other workshops manufacture specialised or one-off parts.

This can require:

Detailed setup work
Tight tolerances
Advanced drawing interpretation
Frequent tool changes
Programming
Manual machining skills
Problem solving

MANUAL MACHINING

Some employers may prefer candidates who can also operate conventional machinery such as:

Manual lathes
Milling machines
Drilling machines
Surface grinders

Applicants should provide full details of conventional machining experience.

HEALTH & SAFETY

CNC employees must follow safety procedures relating to:

Rotating machinery
Cutting tools
Metal chips
Coolants
Sharp components
Heavy materials
Lifting equipment

Workers may be required to wear:

Safety footwear
Eye protection
Hearing protection
Appropriate workwear

Machine guards and safety systems must never be bypassed.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

Skilled positions may require:

CNC machining experience
Trade qualification
Mechanical engineering qualification
Machining apprenticeship
Metal-machining experience
Drawing-reading ability
Precision-measurement skills

Applicants should state:

Years of CNC experience
Machine types
Control systems
Programming experience
Materials machined
Tolerance levels
Qualifications

WORKING HOURS

These are full-time positions.

An applicable AEWV position must offer at least:

30 HOURS PER WEEK

Many manufacturing positions may provide around:

40 HOURS PER WEEK

Shift patterns may include:

Day shift
Afternoon shift
Evening shift
Rotating manufacturing shifts

The final working pattern will be specified in the employment agreement.

SALARY

New Zealand’s adult minimum wage from 1 April 2026 is:

NZD $23.95 GROSS PER HOUR

Skilled CNC machinists may be offered higher wages according to:

Experience
Programming ability
Machine-setting skills
Qualification
Employer
Production complexity

The final wage will be confirmed in the employment agreement.

RESIDENCE PATHWAY WAGE

For candidates whose genuine position qualifies as Metal Machinist (First Class) ANZSCO 323214, this occupation appears on New Zealand’s SMC Trades and Technician pathway list.

For qualifying employment being counted under that pathway, the current SMC wage threshold is:

NZD $35.00 GROSS PER HOUR

Meeting this wage alone does not guarantee residence.

OVERTIME

Additional hours may be available according to production requirements.

Overtime is not guaranteed.

Terms will be stated in the employment agreement.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation will be arranged for successful employees.

Potential accommodation includes:

Shared houses
Shared apartments
Worker residences
Employer-arranged housing

Any applicable costs or deductions will be disclosed in advance.

LUNCH

Lunch will be provided during scheduled working days according to employer arrangements.

ACCREDITED EMPLOYER WORK VISA

Eligible candidates may potentially work in New Zealand through the AEWV.

The employer must generally:

Be appropriately accredited
Have an approved job check
Offer genuine employment
Provide at least 30 hours per week
Meet applicable wage and employment requirements

The candidate must meet the skill and immigration requirements for the position.

ENGLISH REQUIREMENT

Metal Machinist (First Class) is an ANZSCO Skill Level 3 occupation.

AEWV applicants in Skill Level 3 positions currently generally need to demonstrate that they can speak and understand English.

SKILLED MIGRANT CATEGORY – TRADES & TECHNICIAN PATHWAY

Metal Machinist (First Class) – ANZSCO 323214 is included on the Trades and Technician pathway list.

Eligible workers generally need:

A genuine eligible occupation
Pay at or above the SMC wage threshold
Relevant Level 4 or comparable/higher qualification
At least 2.5 years of relevant post-qualification work experience
An additional 1.5 years of qualifying post-qualification skilled employment in New Zealand

The pathway requirements must be satisfied at the time residence is applied for.

WORK VISA ASSISTANCE

Selected eligible candidates will receive assistance with:

Employer documentation
Employment agreement
Job-check information
Trade qualifications
Employment evidence
English evidence
Police certificates
Medical requirements
Visa application documents

Immigration New Zealand makes the final visa decision.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants should provide information concerning:

CNC experience
CNC machines operated
Programming skills
Control systems
Qualifications
Engineering experience
Employment history
English ability
Current country of residence

Shortlisted applicants may complete:

Online interviews
Employer interviews
Technical interviews
Practical machining assessments
Drawing-reading tests

In-person recruitment may take place in Asia or the United Kingdom depending on employer arrangements.

Do not make travel arrangements until formally invited.

POSITION SUMMARY

Position: CNC Machine Operator / CNC Machinist
Potential Skilled Classification: Metal Machinist (First Class) ANZSCO 323214 where duties genuinely match
Skill Level: 3
Employment: Full-Time
General Minimum Wage: NZD $23.95 Gross Per Hour
SMC Trades Pathway Threshold: NZD $35.00 Gross Per Hour for qualifying employment
Accommodation: Provided
Lunch: Provided
Overtime: Where Required
Visa Assistance: Provided for Eligible Candidates
Potential SMC Trades Residence Pathway: Yes, where the position and worker meet all requirements
Employer: TBA

APPLY FOR CNC MACHINIST JOBS IN NEW ZEALAND

Experienced CNC Machine Operators and Machinists interested in New Zealand manufacturing employment are invited to submit an application.

Candidates with strong CNC setting, programming, precision machining and engineering-drawing skills are particularly encouraged to apply.

COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM AND WAIT TO BE CONTACTED IF YOUR APPLICATION IS SHORTLISTED.

The job title “CNC Machine Operator” does not automatically qualify a position as Metal Machinist (First Class). Immigration New Zealand assesses the genuine tasks, responsibilities, skills and qualifications of the job. Submitting an application does not guarantee employment, an AEWV or residence. All employment and immigration requirements must be independently satisfied.