Engineering contributes to every industry, across the entire economy. From structural and civil infrastructure projects through to food processing engineering and biomechanical implants, every part of NZ needs engineers.

NZ has more than 20 engineering categories on their skills shortage immigration list. Engineering New Zealand released a report saying they need 2,500 more engineers every year to ensure they keep pace with demand. The market size for engineers has grown 3.5% per year since 2018.

New Zealand engineering degrees are designed and led by faculty who have worked in the industry. The degrees are created to provide the skills and experience that are needed in the workforce. This makes graduates highly employable. With attractive remuneration rates, a high need for skilled engineers in the workforce, and respected tertiary education options, New Zealand is an astute choice for international engineering students.

Pathways to PR

Want to live in NZ after you graduate? With the demand for engineers, there’s a clear pathway to PR.

Post Study Work Visa

Once you’ve completed your degree, you can apply for the post study work visa. If you graduated with a bachelor’s or master’s degree, it allows you to stay in NZ for up to three years and work for any employer. This gives you the time to apply for relevant roles in your field. Once you’ve found a role, you can move onto your employment visa.

Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa

This Skilled Migrant Resident Visa is a visa where you can stay in New Zealand indefinitely. It is points tested, so having an-demand qualification for a role on the skills shortage list will help your chances. Get a job offer from an accredited employer, submit an expression of interest, and you will be invited to apply.

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Career Options for Engineers

There are a huge range of engineering careers. All the roles listed below are on the current (2024) skills shortage list in New Zealand.

Engineer field

ANZSCO number

Description

Salary range

Civil engineer

ANZSCO 233211

This role covers things like planning, designing, and maintenance of horizontal infrastructure like roads, bridges, tunnels, and water/ sewage systems

NZ$90,000 and $110,000

Mechanical engineer

ANZSCO 233512

Using the science of energy, motion, and force, mechanical engineers design, create and test mechanical systems and machines

NZ$90,000 and $115,000

Electrical engineer

ANZSCO 233311

Design, create, test and maintain electrical equipment like motors, navigation systems, radar, and power generation equipment

NZ$90,000 and $110,000

Electronics engineer

ANZSCO 233411

These engineers create and maintain electronic equipment like broadcast and communication systems, like GPS devices. They work with computer-type hardware more so than electrical engineers

NZ$80,000 and $100,000

Materials engineer

ANZSCO 233112

These engineers work with ceramics, plastics, and metals, studying them at an atomic level. Then, they solve problems in a range of engineering fields

NZ$80,000 and $100,000

Chemical engineer

ANZSCO 233111

They use their broad understanding of chemistry, engineering and physics to create and refine processes for manufacturing

NZ$80,000 and $100,000

Environmental engineer

ANZSCO 233915

These engineers design systems to protect, monitor, and remediate the environment

NZ$95,000 and $110,000

Structural engineer

ANZSCO 233214

Responsible for planning, design, and construction of bridges, buildings, and a range of other vertical infrastructure

NZ$84,000 and $105,000

Production or plant engineer

ANZSCO 233513

These engineers plan, design, and manage a product’s manufacturing process

NZ$75,000 and $90,000

Geotechnical engineer

ANZSCO 233212

They study the soil, rock, and geology of a landscape and design foundations, bridges, and retaining structures to function best in that environment. In the shaky aisles of NZ, this is important

NZ$80,000 and $110,000

Software engineer

ANZSCO 261313

They create, develop, test and maintain computer apps and programs. Using programming languages, they build software solutions

NZ$90,000 and $150,000

ICT quality assurance engineer

ANZSCO 263211

These engineers design, create, and maintain technical quality assurance processes. This is to comply with industry standard regulations

NZ$85,000 and $105,000

Computer network and systems engineer

ANZSCO 263111

They create, plan, develop, deploy, maintain and optimise systems and networks

NZ$95,000 and $105,000

Engineering Courses Available in NZ Universities

There are three levels of education for engineers in New Zealand:

  • Professional engineer: Four-year bachelor (three years plus honours year, NZQF level 8)

  • Engineering technologist: Three-year bachelor

  • Engineering technician: Two-year diploma

Most engineering roles require, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree. The more specialised and higher your education, the higher salary options will become. You may be required to register as a professional engineer with Engineering New Zealand, and this is only possible with the four-year degree.

However, the technologist and technician roles are on the skills shortage list as well, and can be a pathway to the full degree.

The University of Auckland – Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

Rated the best University in NZ for engineering (QS World Rankings), the University of Auckland has five engineering departments. The BEng(Hons) at Auckland allows you to specialise in:

  • Biomedical Engineering

  • Chemical and Materials Engineering

  • Civil Engineering

  • Computer Systems Engineering

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

  • Engineering Science

  • Mechanical Engineering

  • Mechatronics Engineering

  • Software Engineering

  • Structural Engineering

This four-year degree is the baseline for becoming an engineer in NZ. You’ll pay NZ$53,122 per year, and you’ll need an IELTS of 6.5, with no score lower than 6.0 across all bands.

From there, you can get a range of postgraduate qualifications.

The University of Auckland – Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mechanical Engineering

This three-to-four-year course allows you to undertake independent and original research, supervised by faculty who are experts in their field. The fees are NZ$7,659.60 a year. This is subsidised by the NZ government so that international students pay the same as local students.

The University of Canterbury – Master of Civil Engineering

In the top 500 engineering universities in the world, this post-grad master’s degree at Canterbury University takes one-year full time. You can get the following endorsements, if required:

  • Construction management

  • Renewable energy

  • Earthquake engineering

  • Water engineering

  • Geotechnical engineering

  • Structural engineering

  • Transportation engineering

  • Structural fire engineering

You’ll need your BEng(Hons) or BSc(hons) in a relevant subject. Fees are $49,000 per annum. You need an IELTS of 6.5 average, with a minimum of 6.0 across all four bands.

Victoria University of Wellington – Bachelor of Science

This three-year degree is very flexible, allowing you to do a double major, a second major from another degree, or a minor and major. Fees are NZ$38,200 per year. Your major/s can include subjects such as:

  • Biotechnology

  • Chemistry

  • Climate science

  • Computer Science

  • Data science

  • Electronic and computer systems

  • Geology

This degree qualifies you an engineering technologist. You can stay at this level, or apply for your BEng(Hons) upon completion, in order to become a certified engineer.

ARA - New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) (Electrical)

This two year, level 6 course, qualifies you as an engineering technician. These roles are also on the skills shortage lists. However, the pay levels are lower. This means you could simply use this course as a way to start your degree, and transfer over to a bachelor’s degree at a later stage.

You’ll need an IELTS overall of 6.0, and no band lower than 5.5. Fees are not mentioned on the website but advise you to contact directly to enquire.

Contact IDP

Want to complete your engineering degree in New Zealand? Chat to us about the options, what major you’re interested in, and we can help find you the perfect degree, for a career that’ll take you where you want to go.