New Zealand continues to face labour shortages across agriculture, livestock, poultry, and food production. Poultry farms, commercial egg producers, and integrated agricultural companies regularly recruit international workers through employer-sponsored work visa programmes.
A Farm Assistant – Poultry & Egg Production can earn up to NZ$77,000 per year, depending on experience, overtime, shift allowances, and location. The poultry sector offers opportunities for entry-level workers, experienced farm assistants, livestock technicians, machine operators, hatchery workers, and farm supervisors.
Many employers support overseas recruitment when qualified local workers cannot fill available positions. This creates opportunities for foreign workers seeking legal employment, long-term residence, and family migration.
Why Poultry Farming Jobs Are in High Demand
New Zealand’s poultry industry supplies millions of eggs and chicken products annually. Commercial farms require workers throughout the year to maintain production.
Growing demand has increased recruitment for:
- Poultry Farm Assistant
- Egg Collection Worker
- Hatchery Assistant
- Broiler Farm Worker
- Layer Farm Worker
- Poultry Technician
- Livestock Farm Assistant
- Farm Equipment Operator
- Animal Welfare Assistant
- Farm Supervisor
- Feed Production Operator
- Quality Control Assistant
- Processing Plant Worker
- Maintenance Technician
- Farm Cleaner
Many of these roles provide:
- Visa sponsorship
- Full-time employment
- Paid training
- Overtime opportunities
- Accommodation assistance
- Relocation support
Salary Expectations
| Position | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Farm Assistant | NZ$52,000 – NZ$77,000 |
| Poultry Technician | NZ$60,000 – NZ$82,000 |
| Hatchery Worker | NZ$55,000 – NZ$72,000 |
| Farm Supervisor | NZ$70,000 – NZ$95,000 |
| Livestock Assistant | NZ$58,000 – NZ$80,000 |
Income depends on:
- Region
- Employer
- Experience
- Shift work
- Weekend work
- Housing allowance
Main Duties
A poultry farm assistant may perform:
- Feeding birds
- Egg collection
- Cleaning poultry sheds
- Monitoring bird health
- Recording production data
- Vaccination assistance
- Packing eggs
- Operating farm machinery
- Farm maintenance
- Biosecurity compliance
Visa Sponsorship Jobs Available
Many employers recruit overseas workers through New Zealand’s Accredited Employer Work Visa system.
Typical sponsored positions include:
- Poultry Farm Worker
- Poultry Farm Assistant
- Egg Production Worker
- Hatchery Operator
- Livestock Farm Assistant
- Farm Labourer
- Agricultural Technician
- Farm Supervisor
- Processing Worker
Visa Options for Foreign Workers
| Visa Type | Suitable For | Can Lead to PR |
|---|---|---|
| Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) | Employer-sponsored workers | Yes |
| Straight to Residence Visa (eligible occupations only) | Selected skilled occupations | Yes |
| Work to Residence Pathway | Skilled workers | Yes |
| Skilled Residence Pathway | Eligible skilled migrants | Yes |
| Partner of Worker Visa | Family members | Yes (indirectly) |
Employer Sponsorship Process
The employer generally:
- Receives accreditation.
- Lists the vacancy.
- Demonstrates recruitment efforts where required.
- Issues a Job Check.
- Offers employment.
- Supports the worker’s visa application.
Requirements
Applicants generally need:
- Valid passport
- Employment offer
- Relevant work experience
- Medical examination
- Police clearance certificate
- English ability where applicable
- Financial evidence (if requested)
- Passport photographs
Required Documents
Prepare copies of:
- Passport
- Updated CV
- Educational certificates
- Employment letters
- Skills certificates
- Medical reports
- Police clearance
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Passport-size photographs
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants should:
- Be medically fit
- Have no serious criminal history
- Meet visa conditions
- Hold genuine employment documents
- Meet employer requirements
- Pass immigration checks
How to Get Visa Sponsorship
Step 1
Prepare a professional CV highlighting:
- Agriculture experience
- Poultry work
- Animal care
- Equipment operation
- Farm safety
Step 2
Search employers recruiting internationally.
Step 3
Apply directly.
Step 4
Attend interviews online.
Step 5
Receive a Job Offer.
Step 6
Apply for the Accredited Employer Work Visa.
Step 7
Complete medical and police checks.
Step 8
Receive visa approval and relocate.
How to Apply
Apply through:
- Employer career portals
- Licensed recruitment agencies
- New Zealand job websites
- Government employment websites
Never pay unofficial agents for guaranteed jobs or visas.
Employment Agencies Recruiting International Workers
| Agency | Address | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Enterprise Recruitment | Level 11, 19 Victoria Street West, Auckland 1010 | Phone: +64 9 368 8970 |
| Agstaff | Level 1, 281 Tuam Street, Christchurch | Phone: +64 3 366 6252 |
| AWF | Level 6, 51 Shortland Street, Auckland | Phone: +64 9 309 8821 |
| Drake New Zealand | Auckland CBD | Phone: +64 9 379 9170 |
| OneStaff | 52 Fitzgerald Avenue, Christchurch | Phone: +64 3 377 3992 |
International Recruitment Opportunities
Many agencies recruit workers from:
- Philippines
- India
- Pakistan
- Nepal
- Bangladesh
- Fiji
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
Some employers provide:
- Airport pickup
- Temporary accommodation
- Settlement assistance
- Health and safety training
Companies Offering Poultry & Egg Production Jobs
| Company | Head Office | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Tegel Foods Ltd | Auckland | Phone: +64 9 977 9000 |
| Mainland Poultry Ltd | Christchurch | Phone: +64 3 341 5000 |
| Bostock New Zealand | Hawke’s Bay | Phone: +64 6 878 8030 |
| Brinks Chicken | Christchurch | Phone: +64 3 349 6169 |
| Ingham’s New Zealand | Auckland | Phone: +64 9 276 7600 |
Always check company career pages for current vacancies.
Visa Requirements for Employment
Workers usually must:
- Hold a genuine employment offer
- Meet health requirements
- Meet character requirements
- Possess relevant skills
- Meet salary thresholds where applicable
Immigration Pathways Leading to Permanent Residence
New Zealand provides several residence pathways.
1. Skilled Residence Pathway
Designed for eligible skilled workers employed in New Zealand.
Benefits:
- Permanent residence
- Family sponsorship
- Healthcare access
- Education benefits
2. Work to Residence
Workers may qualify after meeting employment and residency requirements.
3. Straight to Residence
Available for certain occupations listed by immigration authorities.
Important Note About Express Entry and RCIP
Express Entry and the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) are Canadian immigration programmes, not New Zealand programmes. They cannot be used to obtain permanent residence in New Zealand.
If your goal is New Zealand, you should focus on New Zealand residence pathways such as:
- Skilled Residence Pathway
- Work to Residence
- Straight to Residence
Settlement Benefits
Permanent residents may enjoy:
- Long-term residence
- Public healthcare access
- Education opportunities
- Family sponsorship
- Pathway to citizenship (subject to eligibility)
- Employment flexibility
Common Immigration Mistakes
Avoid:
- Fake job offers
- Paying illegal recruitment fees
- Submitting incomplete documents
- Using forged certificates
- Ignoring medical requirements
- Missing application deadlines
- Applying under the wrong visa category
Embassy Verification
Applicants should verify all visa requirements with the appropriate New Zealand diplomatic mission serving their country before travelling.
Typical documents checked include:
- Passport
- Employment offer
- Visa approval
- Medical certificate
- Police clearance
- Financial documents (if requested)
New Zealand Embassy Contact (Pakistan)
New Zealand High Commission (Islamabad)
Address:
Diplomatic Enclave, Islamabad, Pakistan
Telephone:
+92 51 208 6900
Official immigration information is available through Immigration New Zealand and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Useful Websites
- Immigration New Zealand
- New Zealand Government Jobs
- Careers New Zealand
- Seek New Zealand
- Trade Me Jobs
- Workhere New Zealand
- Enterprise Recruitment
- Agstaff
- AWF
- Drake New Zealand
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners get poultry farm jobs in New Zealand?
Yes. Accredited employers may recruit overseas workers when they cannot fill vacancies locally.
Is visa sponsorship available?
Yes. Many employers support applications through the Accredited Employer Work Visa system.
Can a poultry farm job lead to permanent residence?
It can, depending on the occupation, employer, visa category, and your eligibility under New Zealand residence pathways.
What salary can I earn?
Many farm assistants earn between NZ$52,000 and NZ$77,000 annually, with higher earnings possible through overtime and supervisory roles.
Is previous farm experience required?
Entry-level roles may offer training, though employers often prefer candidates with agriculture, livestock, or poultry experience.
Can I bring my family?
Some work visa holders may be eligible to support visa applications for partners and dependent children, subject to immigration rules.
Are accommodation and transport provided?
Some employers offer accommodation or relocation assistance, but this varies by employer.
How long does the visa process take?
Processing times depend on the visa category, application quality, and immigration workload.
Which visa is most common for sponsored farm workers?
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is the primary work visa used for employer-sponsored roles.
How can I avoid job scams?
Apply only through recognised employers, licensed recruitment agencies, and official government immigration resources. Never pay for a guaranteed job offer or visa approval.