Position: Welder / Fabrication Welder / Production Welder / Fitter-Welder
Employer: To Be Announced (TBA)
Country: New Zealand
Employment Type: Full-Time
Occupation: Welder – ANZSCO 322313 where duties match
Skill Level: ANZSCO Skill Level 3
Experience: Skilled / Experienced Workers
Salary: According to Experience, Employer & Position – Never Below Applicable New Zealand Minimum Wage
2026 Adult Minimum Wage: NZD $23.95 Gross Per Hour
Working Hours: Full-Time – At Least 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 to Candidates Meeting Applicable Requirements

WORK AS A WELDER IN NEW ZEALAND

Applications are now open for skilled Welders interested in full-time manufacturing, engineering and fabrication employment in New Zealand.

Opportunities may be available with businesses involved in:

Structural steel fabrication
General engineering
Manufacturing
Heavy engineering
Machinery production
Agricultural equipment
Transport equipment
Construction fabrication
Industrial maintenance
Metal-product manufacturing
Marine engineering
Other engineering industries

Potential positions include:

Welder
MIG Welder
TIG Welder
Arc Welder
Fabrication Welder
Production Welder
Fitter-Welder
Structural Steel Welder
Stainless-Steel Welder
Aluminium Welder

Candidates should provide full details of their previous welding experience, materials worked with and welding processes they can perform.

AVAILABLE LOCATIONS

Welder opportunities may be available throughout New Zealand, including:

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

Additional vacancies may be available in regional manufacturing and engineering centres.

The final workplace will depend on the employer and available vacancy.

WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING?

Welders join and fabricate metal components according to drawings, measurements and production instructions.

Typical responsibilities may include:

Reading engineering drawings
Measuring metal components
Preparing materials
Cutting metal
Grinding edges
Positioning components
Tack welding
MIG welding
TIG welding
Arc welding
Completing production welds
Inspecting finished welds
Removing excess material
Cleaning finished products
Working with fabricators and machinists

The exact welding process will depend on the employer.

MIG WELDING

MIG welding is widely used in manufacturing and fabrication.

Duties may involve:

Preparing welding machines
Selecting appropriate settings
Positioning components
Performing tack welds
Completing production welds
Checking penetration and appearance
Cleaning completed joints

Candidates with substantial MIG experience should clearly state this in their application.

TIG WELDING

Some employers may require TIG welding experience.

TIG Welders may work with:

Stainless steel
Aluminium
Mild steel
Specialist components

TIG positions often require a high level of accuracy and finish.

STRUCTURAL & FABRICATION WORK

Welders may work on components used in:

Buildings
Industrial structures
Machinery
Agricultural equipment
Transport equipment
Platforms
Frames
Steel assemblies

Workers may need to interpret fabrication drawings and measurements accurately.

METAL PREPARATION

Before welding begins, workers may:

Measure material
Mark cutting points
Cut sections
Grind surfaces
Remove contamination
Prepare joints
Position components
Clamp materials

Correct preparation is essential for producing quality welds.

ENGINEERING DRAWINGS

Experienced Welders may be expected to understand basic engineering and fabrication drawings.

Workers may need to identify:

Dimensions
Weld symbols
Material specifications
Component positions
Tolerances
Assembly instructions

Candidates should mention any drawing-reading experience.

QUALITY CONTROL

Welders are responsible for checking their work.

Quality checks can include:

Weld appearance
Measurements
Alignment
Distortion
Joint completion
Surface defects

Work that does not meet the required standard may need to be corrected.

WORKSHOP ENVIRONMENT

Most positions will be based in engineering or manufacturing workshops.

Candidates should be comfortable working around:

Welding equipment
Cutting equipment
Grinding tools
Industrial machinery
Metal components
Overhead lifting equipment

Some employers may also require site work.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Welding carries specific workplace risks.

Employees must follow health and safety procedures relating to:

Welding fumes
Hot metal
Sparks
UV radiation
Electrical equipment
Gas cylinders
Grinding equipment
Manual handling

Workers may be required to wear:

Welding helmet
Protective clothing
Welding gloves
Safety footwear
Eye protection
Hearing protection
Respiratory protection where required

Only trained and authorised employees may use specialist equipment.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

These are skilled trade positions.

Employers may require:

Relevant welding experience
Trade qualification
Welding certificates
Fabrication experience
Ability to read engineering drawings
Experience with particular welding processes

Applicants should provide full details of:

Years of experience
Welding processes
Materials welded
Industries worked in
Qualifications
Welding certifications

WORKING HOURS

These are full-time positions.

For applicable AEWV employment, the job offer must provide at least:

30 HOURS PER WEEK

Many manufacturing positions may provide approximately:

40 HOURS PER WEEK

Typical work patterns may include:

8-hour shifts
5 days per week
Morning shifts
Afternoon shifts
Evening shifts

Some factories may operate rotating shifts.

Exact hours will be confirmed in the employment agreement.

SALARY

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

NZD $23.95 GROSS PER HOUR

However, welding is skilled trade work and actual salaries should reflect:

Experience
Qualification
Welding process
Employer
Industry
Responsibility
Shift arrangements

The exact wage will be stated in the formal employment offer.

IMPORTANT RESIDENCE-WAGE DISTINCTION

Candidates considering New Zealand’s Skilled Migrant Category Trades and Technician pathway should understand that the general minimum wage is not the residence pathway wage.

From March 2026, the applicable SMC wage threshold for the Trades and Technician pathway is:

NZD $35.00 GROSS PER HOUR

A candidate seeking to count New Zealand employment toward that residence pathway must satisfy the applicable wage and other residence requirements.

OVERTIME

Additional hours may be available during busy production periods or when employers have project deadlines.

Overtime is not guaranteed.

Any additional hours and payment arrangements will be stated in the employment agreement.

ACCOMMODATION PROVIDED

Accommodation will be arranged for successful employees.

Depending on location, accommodation may include:

Shared apartments
Shared houses
Worker accommodation
Employer-arranged accommodation

Any applicable accommodation costs or lawful deductions will be disclosed before employment is accepted.

LUNCH PROVIDED

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

ACCREDITED EMPLOYER WORK VISA

International candidates may potentially work in New Zealand using the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) where all requirements are met.

The position must generally:

Be offered by an accredited employer
Have an approved job check
Provide at least 30 hours per week
Meet applicable wage requirements
Match the genuine occupation
Meet employment-law requirements

Applicants must also satisfy Immigration New Zealand requirements.

ENGLISH REQUIREMENT

Welder is an ANZSCO Skill Level 3 occupation.

Current AEWV rules require applicants for Skill Level 3 positions to demonstrate that they can speak and understand English unless an applicable exemption exists.

Candidates should therefore be prepared to satisfy the applicable English-language requirement.

SKILLED MIGRANT CATEGORY – TRADES & TECHNICIAN PATHWAY

Welder – ANZSCO 322313 – is included on New Zealand’s Skilled Migrant Category Trades and Technician occupation list.

This may provide a future residence opportunity for qualifying Welders.

The pathway is not immediate residence.

Applicants generally need:

Employment in an eligible occupation
Pay of at least the applicable SMC wage threshold
A relevant qualification at Level 4 or comparable/higher
Relevant post-qualification work experience
Qualifying skilled work experience in New Zealand

Current rules generally require at least:

2.5 YEARS OF RELEVANT POST-QUALIFICATION EXPERIENCE

plus:

1.5 YEARS OF QUALIFYING POST-QUALIFICATION SKILLED WORK IN NEW ZEALAND

at the required SMC wage threshold.

Applicants must satisfy all residence criteria in force when they apply.

WORK VISA ASSISTANCE

Eligible selected candidates will receive assistance with the applicable visa process.

Assistance may include guidance concerning:

Employment agreement
Employer documentation
Job check
Work experience
Trade qualifications
Welding certificates
English evidence
Police certificates
Medical requirements
Visa documentation
Application preparation

Work visa approval is determined by Immigration New Zealand.

APPLICATION & INTERVIEW PROCESS

Complete the online application form and provide details of:

Welding experience
Welding methods
Qualifications
Employment history
Materials worked with
Engineering experience
English-language ability
Current country of residence

Shortlisted candidates may be invited to:

Online interview
Employer interview
Welding skills assessment
Practical trade test

Depending on recruitment arrangements, shortlisted candidates may also be invited to interviews in Asia or the United Kingdom.

Do not make travel arrangements until formally invited and legally eligible to travel.

POSITION SUMMARY

Position: Welder
Occupation: ANZSCO 322313 where duties match
Skill Level: 3
Employment: Full-Time
Country: New Zealand
General Minimum Wage: NZD $23.95 Gross Per Hour
SMC Trades Pathway Wage Threshold: NZD $35.00 Gross Per Hour where residence requirements are being counted
Accommodation: Provided
Lunch: Provided
Overtime: Available Where Required
AEWV Assistance: Provided for Eligible Candidates
Potential SMC Trades & Technician Residence Pathway: Yes, subject to all requirements
Employer: TBA

APPLY FOR WELDER JOBS IN NEW ZEALAND

Qualified and experienced Welders interested in manufacturing and engineering employment in New Zealand are invited to apply.

Candidates with MIG, TIG, structural, fabrication or production welding experience should provide full details.

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

Submitting an application does not guarantee an interview, employment, an Accredited Employer Work Visa or New Zealand residence. Immigration eligibility depends on the genuine occupation, employer accreditation, approved job check, qualifications, work experience, English-language ability, wage, health, character and other requirements. Eligibility for the Skilled Migrant Category Trades and Technician pathway is separate from AEWV eligibility and must be independently satisfied.