Greatlife Immigration Services Ltd

Greatlife Immigration Services Ltd New Zealand based company dealing with all Immigration Visas, with support members based in South Africa.

08/04/2026

JOB SEEKERS! From one of our recruiters. Heavy Fabricators / Boilermakers – New Zealand Opportunity
Relocate to New Zealand | Long-Term Career | Stable Work / Taranaki
Are you a skilled Boilermaker / Heavy Fabricator looking for a long-term opportunity?
We are working with a well-established New Zealand engineering company that is expanding its workshop operations and is actively seeking high-quality tradesmen with strong fabrication backgrounds.
This is a career move, not a short-term contract.
We are hiring 10 Boilermakers / Fabricators over the next 6 months.
Why New Zealand?
Stable, long-term employment (not shutdown-based work)
Safe, family-friendly lifestyle
Strong demand for skilled trades
Clear pathway to residency (for the right candidates)
The Role
You will be working in a modern workshop environment, focusing on heavy fabrication projects, including:
Pressure vessels
Structural steel
Tanks and piping systems
Stainless and carbon steel fabrication
What We’re Looking For
Qualified Boilermaker / Fabricator
Proven experience in:
Heavy fabrication (oil & gas, petrochemical, structural)
Reading and interpreting engineering drawings
Strong welding ability (MIG / TIG / Stick)
Good English communication skills
Ability to work independently and within a team
Highly regarded:
Experience in pressure vessels or coded work
Leadership experience (leading hand/supervisor potential)

What’s On Offer
Starting from NZD $39+ per hour
Skill-based pay increases
Overtime opportunities
Long-term, secure workload
Employer support with visa process (AEWV)
What Makes This Different
Workshop-based (no FIFO lifestyle)
Consistent hours and income
Opportunity to grow into leadership roles
Work with a company investing in expansion and people
Who This Suits
Fabricators currently in oil & gas / heavy industry
Tradesmen wanting to relocate with family
Skilled workers looking for stability over contract work
Professionals ready for a long-term move
Next Steps
If you are serious about relocating to New Zealand and building a long-term future:
Send your CV and project experience for consideration.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. Send your CV's to me for perusal and verification. Email our team at: [email protected]

05/03/2026

The Government has announced more details about the changes to the residence category, which is more favourable to a lot of work visa holders who do not currently meet residence requirements.
Note; it is quite involved and will need carefull assessment and evaluation of current visa holders situation. Feel free to email me your name and occupation, and I'll provide further details.
Further detail on Skilled Migrant Category changes released
Last year, the Government announced changes to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) to introduce 2 new pathways – the Skilled Work Experience Pathway and the Trades and Technician Pathway – increased points for New Zealand qualifications, and reduced New Zealand skilled work experience required under the Points-based pathway. These changes will come into effect in late August 2026.

Further details about these changes have been released today, including 3 important lists:

The Trades and Technician Pathway list – Migrants working in these occupations qualify for this pathway if they have a relevant Level 4 or above qualification, and 4 years of directly relevant skilled work experience gained post-qualification, including 1.5 years in New Zealand at the SMC median wage.

The Amber list – Migrants working in these occupations are not eligible for the Trades and Technician Pathway and can only apply for the Skilled Work Experience Pathway if they have at least 5 years of relevant work experience in New Zealand, including 2 years of skilled work experience earning at least 1.2 times the SMC median wage.

The Red list – Migrants working in these occupations cannot use these new pathways. They will only be able to apply for residence under the SMC if they can claim 6 points under the existing pathway. This may be achieved by earning at least 1.5 times the SMC median wage, holding a bachelor’s Level 7 qualification or higher, or having a recognised occupational registration. They must also meet the required skilled work experience in New Zealand.
Changes have also been confirmed that will apply to all SMC pathways from late August 2026, including:

Median wage requirements simplified: Migrants applying based on their work experience will not need to meet the latest SMC median wage when they apply for residence. Instead, they must meet the SMC median wage rate (or the rate for their pathway) in effect at the time they began to gain their New Zealand skilled work experience.

Grace period for some median wage calculations: If a migrant begins skilled work experience within 5 months of their work visa being granted, the wage threshold that applied on the day the visa was granted will be used, even if the median wage has increased in the meantime.

Clarification of qualification requirements: Migrants claiming points for Level 8 or 9 qualifications must also hold a bachelor’s degree (which can be gained in any country). Applicants claiming 5 points for a New Zealand Level 9 master’s degree are exempted from this requirement (though must hold a bachelor’s degree if they are claiming 6 points for a New Zealand master’s degree).

Longer English test validity for some migrants: English language test results will be valid for 5 years for applicants who hold a valid occupational registration.

New occupational registration recognised: Qualified Statutory Accountants in New Zealand who have membership with the Certified Practising Accountants Australia will receive 6 points under the SMC.
From 2027, migrants who need up to 12 more months of skilled work experience can apply for a further Accredited Employer Work Visa to complete the skilled work experience they need to apply for residence.

Email Jan Barnard at [email protected]

28/02/2026

One of our recruiters have this vacancy. Email me if this fits your skills and experience. The employer is not poaying your migration costs, so make sure you have about $8000.00 available for everything if you apply.

I'm reaching out to my international network for experienced Hydraulic Technicians for an accredited employer.

You will need to have experience with either high pressure industrial or mobile hydraulics, manifolds, cylinders, rams, hose bending, fluid testing, etc. If you have only worked as a Mechanical Fitter, it is likely not suitable.

Email [email protected]

18/02/2026

Median wage and indexed thresholds to increase
On 9 March 2026, the immigration median wage will increase to NZ$35.00 per hour (up from NZ$33.56).

The median wage rate we use changes each year, meaning wage thresholds based on it also increase.

From March 2025, employers have only had to pay the market rate rather than the median wage under the AEWV.

However, some requirements continue to be linked to the median wage – including to determine eligibility for some visas, what migrant workers need to earn to gain work experience for skilled residence pathways, and whether they can bring family to New Zealand.

It can also affect how long migrants can stay in New Zealand and what Job Check advertising requirements apply to employers.

Employers must pay their migrant worker the relevant wage threshold in place when they start working on their visa. They do not need to provide pay increases for existing workers, unless they are changing visas.

Updates to sponsorship income thresholds for the Parent Category and Parent Boost Visitor Visa will be communicated separately and take effect later in 2026.

Employers must pay the minimum salary requirements at the time their visa holders are granted their visas. For AEWVs, there is no requirement to continually meet new median wages for existing visa holders.

While new AEWV roles now need to be paid at the market rate, the median wage is still used to set several other visa pay thresholds.

This increase will affect:

Skilled residence applications

Green List roles with pay requirements set at e.g. 115%, 150% or 200% of the median wage
Job Checks where paying 200% of the median wage provides an exemption from advertising
Pay thresholds required to support partner and dependent child visas

How this impacts each person may be different, even if they are in the same role. We can undertake individual assessments to advise.

E.g. Certain residence pathways require the visa holder to be on specific pay for a period of time, and if they are not yet on that pay threshold they will need to be on a higher pay from 9 March 2026.

Applications submitted before 9 March 2026 will be assessed under the current income criteria.

Workers who are considering applying for residence are welcome to contact us advisers for an assessment and to complete the residence application. Email., [email protected]

17/02/2026

OFFICIAL NOTICE – RESIDENCE APPEAL SUCCESSFUL
We are pleased to confirm a successful outcome in a recent Residence Appeal before the Immigration and Protection Tribunal under section 188(1)(e) of the Immigration Act 2009.
The appeal concerned a 21-year-old applicant whose residence application under the Family (Dependent Child) category had been declined by Immigration New Zealand on health grounds, including a finding that the applicant did not meet the acceptable standard of health requirements and was not eligible for a medical waiver.
After careful consideration, the Tribunal determined that Immigration New Zealand’s assessment was incorrect in terms of the applicable residence instructions.
The Tribunal:
• Found that the health assessment applied by Immigration New Zealand was not correctly determined;
• Cancelled the decision to decline the residence application; and
• Referred the application back to Immigration New Zealand for reassessment by a new officer in accordance with the correct legal framework and directions issued by the Tribunal.
This outcome highlights the importance of rigorous legal analysis, proper interpretation of immigration instructions, and the effective presentation of medical and evidential material in appeal proceedings.
While a successful appeal does not automatically result in the grant of residence, the matter will now be reassessed on a correct legal basis.
For professional immigration advice or assistance with appeals, please contact our office directly at [email protected]

22/01/2026

STUDENT VISAS
There are two main categories: one being International students wanting to study at Universities and colleges, and the other being dependent children of mainly work visa holders.
Children may get student visas when they turn 5. If you have a child who is 3 months away from turning 5, could you let me know so that we can help with a student visa?
Dependent children who are in year 12 and 13 may apply for a variation of conditions for them to work 25 hours a week. Let me know if we can assist.
Children who have completed school cannot rely on their dependent student visa anymore, irrespective of that visa still valid past their school-going years. They must either leave NZ, or apply for a very short-term visitor visa, or apply for a student visa, and pay international fees. They cannot apply for work visas either, even as a cleaner, because Immigration has closed that avenue and now demands 2 years of experience for any work visa, or a level 4 NZQA qualification.
International students; please note: You must have the ongoing support funds of $20000 available per year when you apply for a student visa.
Here is news from INZ
Student visa peak processing underway
We are in a peak processing period for student visa applications, and have received a high volume of applications for study in 2026.

During peak periods, applications may take longer to process. It is important that anyone wanting to come to New Zealand to study applies at least 3 months before they plan to travel and includes all the evidence we need to make a decision.

Please ensure you submit full and complete applications, including:

a valid Offer of Place from a New Zealand education provider
evidence of money to live on that is from a genuine source and will be available to the student in New Zealand
health and character evidence
information about your client’s reasons for their study and plans for after their study.
We may decide an application based on the information provided, and not request further information.

Do not include ‘holding’ documents, such as a letter stating “the information will be uploaded later”, as the application may be declined.

Applying with a conditional Offer of Place
Applicants outside New Zealand can apply with a conditional Offer of Place if their provider needs to wait for the student’s academic results to confirm enrolment. This will allow us to begin assessing the application, and approve it in principle if other requirements are met. An unconditional Offer of Place will be required before we can grant a visa.

Late applications may not be processed in time
If your clients intend to study in early 2026 and you have not yet applied for their visa, or only applied recently, they should talk to their education provider about study options in case their application is not decided before their course starts.

If your client’s application has not been decided by their programme’s start date, the education provider can issue either a new Offer of Place for a later intake or a letter confirming new study start dates. You can upload this to their online application to prevent delays when the application is decided.

Information provided by licensed immigration adviser Jan barnard. Licence number 201000222. Greatlife Immigration Services Ltd
For assistance with your student visa, please email us at [email protected]

22/01/2026

NEWS FROM IMMIGRATION NEW ZEALAND Student visa peak processing underway
We are in a peak processing period for student visa applications, and have received a high volume of applications for study in 2026.

During peak periods, applications may take longer to process. It is important that anyone wanting to come to New Zealand to study applies at least 3 months before they plan to travel and includes all the evidence we need to make a decision.

Please ensure you submit full and complete applications, including:

a valid Offer of Place from a New Zealand education provider
evidence of money to live on that is from a genuine source and will be available to the student in New Zealand
health and character evidence
information about your client’s reasons for their study and plans for after their study.
We may decide an application based on the information provided, and not request further information.

Do not include ‘holding’ documents, such as a letter stating “the information will be uploaded later”, as the application may be declined.

Applying with a conditional Offer of Place
Applicants outside New Zealand can apply with a conditional Offer of Place if their provider needs to wait for the student’s academic results to confirm enrolment. This will allow us to begin assessing the application, and approve it in principle if other requirements are met. An unconditional Offer of Place will be required before we can grant a visa.

Late applications may not be processed in time
If your clients intend to study in early 2026 and you have not yet applied for their visa, or only applied recently, they should talk to their education provider about study options in case their application is not decided before their course starts.

If your client’s application has not been decided by their programme’s start date, the education provider can issue either a new Offer of Place for a later intake or a letter confirming new study start dates. You can upload this to their online application to prevent delays when the application is decided.

Read more about student visas

Goat Island New Zealand. This is north of Auckland, a popular snorkeling and diving destination. Clear water, fish life,...
10/01/2026

Goat Island New Zealand. This is north of Auckland, a popular snorkeling and diving destination. Clear water, fish life, depth to about 10 meters max. The name Goat island came from the early years when Britian (invaded) found New Zealand. 1814 onwards. Food was always an issue for returning ships, so one bright spark placed goats on the island to breed and to supply food for the next ship.

Good night from Tauranga New Zealand
28/12/2025

Good night from Tauranga New Zealand

16/12/2025

Immigration New Zealand has released a gentle reminder to Immigration Advisers in a newsletter that businesses must for lower-skilled jobs, engage with Work and Income. The reason is simple; numerous NZ Citizens and school leavers would love a job as a cafe assistant, waiter/waitress, cleaners, ski assistant, packers, construction labourers, and even farm labourers. Citizens are eligible to apply for benefits if they live on their own, and do not have an income. So the Government wants to make those jobs available to locals. Employers must be very aware; Immigration has quitely sneaked in a policy that still excludes migrants from taking up these offers, despite it being advertised on Work and Income. Even though WINZ will issue a letter stating no one is interested or willing to take up that employment, which normally is the green light for employers to offer it to a willing migrant:---NO APPLICANT MAY APPLY IF THEY DO NOT HAVE 2 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. This is even though their own handbook on occupations, the ANZSCO codes, and now the NOL list clearly state cleaners, farm assistants, security, and other skill level 5 workers do not need any experience. But the think tank at the Government decided to bring in their own rule, overriding the 15-year-old ANZSCO golden rules. This means that young, active work visa holder children, who have just finished school, have zero chance of filling those urgently needed positions. It means they may sit at home for a short period on a visitor visa, or study paying exorbitant international fees, or go back to their home country. All very disappointing news for migrants, but better to be prepared than to have a visa declined due to a lack of 2 years of experience. We can be reached at [email protected] Jan Barnard: fully licensed adviser no: 201000222

16/12/2025

IMMIGRATION NEWS: See next posting for comments: Work and Income engagement required for employers
Employers are being reminded to engage with Work and Income in good faith, after post-decision checks revealed that around 15% of employers did not do so despite declaring they had in their job check application.

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) system is designed to ensure New Zealanders are first in line for job opportunities before employers consider migrant labour.

Engaging with Work and Income to find workers is a mandatory step in the job check process if the job is ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 – unless an employer is applying for a Peak Seasonal Visa job check and has Peak Seasonal Visa endorsement from Work and Income.

Employers must show that they have genuinely tried to hire New Zealanders before looking overseas.

When engaging with Work and Income for roles at ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5, employers must:

complete Work and Income’s form to let them know about the job vacancy
respond to any contact within 3 days
ensure the qualifications and experience requirements are genuine and consistent across all adverts
list the job with Work and Income, unless they say they do not have suitable candidates
allow enough time for Work and Income to refer candidates and genuinely consider and interview suitable candidates put forward.​
Employers must submit their job check application within 90 days of completing the engagement. As part of the application, employers must declare they engaged in good faith. We verify this with Work and Income as part of post-decision checks.

If employers do not follow this process, it could result in declined job checks, hiring delays, or suspension or loss of accreditation status.

It is the employer’s responsibility to make sure that they have genuinely advertised the role and engaged with Work and Income. They cannot delegate this responsibility to an immigration adviser. Posted from INZ website by: [email protected]

28/11/2025

Maximum Continuous Stay (MCS)
AEWV holders granted visas between 2022 and 2023 are the first group reaching MCS.
What is the Maximum Continuous Stay (MCS)?
MCS is the total time a visa holder can remain in New Zealand on one or more AEWVs. Once this limit is reached, they must spend 12 months outside New Zealand before they can be granted a new AEWV.
There are other options and pathways to remain in New Zealand. This includes applying for residence under the two categories or swapping the main applicant so that the partner applies for an AEWV and then supporting the current visa holder. That all depends on whether the current partner is working for an accredited employer who will support them.
This requires proper planning and legal Immigration advice.
Employers: It is important to keep your accreditation active
Valid accreditation ensures you can continue supporting new visa staff when needed. If your accreditation renewal is approaching, we can assist you with the renewal.

For those who received 3-year visas in 2022/2023, you can now apply for the additional 2 years on your visa.
We can assist with that as well, and remember, the family must also apply for the extension; their visas are separate and not linked in such a way that they get extensions automatically if the main applicant applies.
Supplied by Licensed Adviser Jan Barnard.
Email. [email protected]

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Tauranga
0630

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