New Zealand’s poultry and egg sector employs around 3,500 people across roughly 180 commercial farms, and farm assistant pay for entry-level workers now starts at the national minimum wage of NZD $23.95 an hour — about NZD $49,800 a year before overtime. Experienced hands and egg-grading specialists can push past NZD $70,000. The employer-sponsored route into this work is the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), the same visa used across New Zealand’s primary sector, and it does not require a job to sit on the Green List to qualify. What has changed since 2025 is the wage rule itself: Immigration New Zealand scrapped the fixed median-wage requirement for most AEWV roles in March 2025, which materially altered what a poultry farm employer actually has to pay to sponsor someone. This guide works through the current numbers, the real visa mechanics, and where the pathway is genuinely open versus overstated.
1. New Zealand’s Poultry and Egg Industry in 2026
New Zealand’s commercial poultry sector splits into two subsectors. The layer (egg) side runs roughly 170 farms holding about 4 million birds and produces more than 1 billion eggs a year, an industry PIANZ (the Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand) values at around NZD $286 million. The broiler (meat) side spans about 165 farms producing roughly 120 million birds annually, worth close to NZD $800 million.
Four integrated processors — Tegel, Inghams, Brinks, and Turks — control close to 99% of commercial broiler production and are the main route to a farm assistant job at scale. Farms cluster in Waikato, Hawke’s Bay, and Canterbury, rural regions where the domestic labour pool is thin because most New Zealanders live in cities. That geographic mismatch, not a formal shortage listing, is what actually drives demand for migrant farm labour.
Key Statistic: New Zealand’s roughly 180 commercial poultry farms employ about 3,500 people and produce over 1 billion eggs and 120 million meat birds a year — a workforce concentrated almost entirely in rural regions with limited local labour supply.
2. Farm Assistant Salaries and Roles
Pay scales with responsibility and time in the role. The table below reflects wage ranges consistent with current job listings and the minimum wage floor.
| Role Title | Annual Salary Range (NZD) | Hourly Rate (NZD) | Typical Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farm Assistant (Entry) | $49,800 – $58,000 | $23.95 – $27.90 | 0 – 1 year |
| Farm Assistant (Experienced) | $60,000 – $72,000 | $28.85 – $34.60 | 2 – 5 years |
| Egg Grading / Hatchery Specialist | $56,000 – $68,000 | $26.90 – $32.70 | 1 – 3 years |
| Assistant Farm Manager | $70,000 – $85,000 | $33.65 – $40.90 | 3+ years |
| Farm Manager (Poultry) | $85,000 – $105,000 | $40.90 – $50.50 | 5+ years, supervisory |
For an experienced farm assistant on NZD $65,000 gross in the 2026–27 tax year, the approximate breakdown looks like this: income tax under current IRD brackets comes to roughly NZD $11,140, and the ACC earner’s levy (1.75% from 1 April 2026) adds about NZD $1,140. That leaves net take-home of roughly NZD $52,720 a year, or about NZD $4,395 a month — before any accommodation benefit is added.
Pro Tip: Many poultry employers offer on-farm or subsidised housing worth NZD $150–$400 a week. Ask for the full remuneration package, not just the base wage — under New Zealand law, employers cannot count accommodation value toward your minimum wage entitlement, so it is genuinely additive.
3. The Visa Pathway: How the AEWV Actually Works Now
The AEWV is the controlling route for poultry and egg farm work in 2026, but its wage rules changed substantially on 10 March 2025, when Immigration New Zealand removed the fixed median-wage requirement that used to apply to most AEWV jobs. Employers now only have to pay at least the minimum wage and the genuine New Zealand market rate for the role, not a fixed multiple of the median wage — a meaningful shift from 2023–2024, and a reason older guides citing a mandatory median-wage threshold for farm roles are now out of date.
| AEWV Figure | Current Value (2026) |
|---|---|
| Total AEWV visas granted since July 2022 | 209,000+ (as of 31 August 2026) |
| Accredited employers registered nationally | 29,000+ (as of 31 August 2026) |
| Minimum wage floor for AEWV roles | NZD $23.95/hour (from 1 April 2026) |
| National median wage (for context only) | NZD $35.00/hour |
| Standard visa application fee | From NZD $1,540 |
| Employer accreditation fee (standard, up to 5 workers) | NZD $775 |
| Employer accreditation fee (high-volume, 6+ workers) | NZD $1,280 |
| Job Check fee (employer-paid) | NZD $735 |
| Typical decision time | Around 5–6 weeks |
Important Note: Immigration New Zealand does not publish a poultry-specific count of AEWV grants, so treat any exact figure for “poultry visas issued” with caution. What is verifiable is that Tegel and Inghams are both active accredited employers, with Inghams advertising AEWV-sponsored Farm Hand roles directly on its own job listings.
The application still runs in three stages: the employer holds or obtains accreditation, passes a Job Check for the specific role (including advertising it for several weeks), and issues the worker a unique link to apply for the AEWV. There is no separate “poultry visa” — it’s the same AEWV process used for dairy, orchard, and construction roles.
4. Skill Level, the Green List, and Realistic Expectations
Poultry farm worker roles — collecting eggs, feeding birds, basic hatchery tasks — sit at ANZSCO skill level 5, the lowest classification band. Roles with more responsibility, such as a farm hand overseeing a shed, are sometimes classified at level 3 or 4 instead, which is why Inghams can advertise some Farm Hand vacancies as AEWV-eligible at a higher skill level than a pure egg-collector role.
Skill level affects visa length, not eligibility. Level 1–3 roles can get an AEWV for up to 5 years; level 4–5 roles are capped at 3 years unless the job is on the Green List, covered by a sector agreement, on a residence pathway, or paid at least 1.5 times the median wage (NZD $52.50/hour) — a bar most farm assistant roles do not clear.
Quick Answer: No, poultry and egg farm work is not on New Zealand’s Green List, and there is no dedicated sector agreement for poultry farming the way there is for meat processing or care work. The AEWV remains the only realistic sponsored route, and it leads to a capped-length visa rather than an automatic fast track to residence.
Permanent residence is still reachable indirectly — through the Skilled Migrant Category points system once income and experience thresholds are met, typically after several years of continuous AEWV employment and progression into a higher-paid, higher-skill role such as assistant or farm manager.
5. Qualifications, Evidence, and English Requirements
| Requirement | Detail | Mandatory? |
|---|---|---|
| Farm/livestock experience | 12+ months, evidenced by payslips and reference letters | Effectively yes |
| Formal agricultural qualification | NZ Certificate in Agriculture (Level 3–4) or equivalent | No — experience accepted |
| English language evidence | IELTS or PTE Academic | Role- and case-dependent |
| Overseas qualification assessment | NZQA credential assessment | Conditional |
| Biosecurity/food safety awareness | Induction training; HACCP useful for grading roles | Employer-specific |
A CV alone rarely satisfies Immigration New Zealand’s caseworkers — pair it with payslips, tax records, or signed reference letters. If an English test is required, book early: IELTS centres in many countries fill up ahead of peak application periods.
6. Who Is Actually Hiring
Tegel and Inghams are the two employers most visible in AEWV-sponsored farm assistant recruitment, both running dedicated careers portals alongside SEEK and Indeed listings. Brinks and Turks round out the “big four” broiler processors, though they advertise less consistently through mainstream job boards. Independent layer (egg) farms in Hawke’s Bay, Canterbury, and Waikato also hire directly. Always check an employer’s current accreditation status on Immigration New Zealand’s public register before relying on any offer — accreditation can be suspended or revoked for non-compliance.
7. Step-by-Step: Applying for a Sponsored Farm Assistant Role
- Document your experience. Gather payslips, reference letters, and any farm or livestock training records covering at least 12 months.
- Check employer accreditation. Search the Immigration New Zealand accredited employer list before applying anywhere, and re-check it once you have an offer.
- Apply directly and through job boards. Target Tegel’s and Inghams’ careers pages alongside SEEK and Indeed listings for farm hand, farm assistant, or egg grading roles.
- Wait for the employer’s Job Check. Once you have a conditional offer, the employer submits and pays for the Job Check (NZD $735), which typically takes a few weeks including the advertising period.
- Receive your unique AEWV application link. This is issued only after the Job Check is approved — you cannot apply for the visa before this stage.
- Submit your visa application. You will need your passport, employment evidence, English test results if applicable, a police certificate, and a medical examination.
- Track your application. Most AEWV decisions land within 5–6 weeks; check status through Immigration New Zealand’s online portal.
A licensed immigration adviser can be worth the fee if your work history is complex, a previous visa was declined, or you’re unsure how your role will be classified under ANZSCO — misclassification is a common reason Job Check applications stall.
8. Regional Cost of Living Versus Take-Home Pay
| Monthly Expense | Waikato (Hamilton) | Hawke’s Bay (Hastings) | Canterbury (rural) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent, 1-bedroom | $1,200 – $1,600 | $1,000 – $1,400 | $900 – $1,300 |
| Groceries | $400 – $550 | $380 – $500 | $350 – $480 |
| Transport | $200 – $350 | $150 – $300 | $150 – $280 |
| Utilities (power + internet) | $150 – $250 | $130 – $220 | $120 – $200 |
| Estimated monthly total | $1,950 – $2,750 | $1,660 – $2,420 | $1,520 – $2,260 |
Against a net income of roughly NZD $4,395 a month for an experienced farm assistant, workers in Hawke’s Bay or Canterbury typically retain more disposable income than those in Hamilton, and subsidised on-farm accommodation stretches that further still.
Pro Tip: Most migrant workers in New Zealand use licensed transfer services such as Wise or a bank’s international transfer product to send money home — compare exchange-rate margins and fixed fees before committing to one provider, since they vary more than people expect.
9. Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum pay for a poultry farm assistant on an AEWV in 2026?
At least the national minimum wage — NZD $23.95 an hour from 1 April 2026. Immigration New Zealand no longer requires a separate median-wage payment for most AEWV roles, but employers must still pay the genuine New Zealand market rate.
Is poultry or egg farming on New Zealand’s Green List?
No. The only agriculture roles on the Green List are dairy cattle farming positions and agrichemical spraying operators. Poultry and egg farm roles, at any level, are excluded, so this route offers no fast-tracked residence.
Can employer-provided accommodation count toward my minimum wage?
No. Employers may offer accommodation as a benefit on top of pay, but its value cannot be deducted from your minimum wage entitlement.
How long can I stay on an AEWV in a farm assistant role?
Most entry-level poultry roles sit at ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5, capped at a 3-year maximum stay, with extensions possible through a further Job Check. Higher-skilled roles (level 1–3) can reach 5 years.
Can I switch employers while on an AEWV?
Yes, but not automatically. Your new employer must pass a Job Check for the role, and you generally need a variation of conditions, which carries its own fee.
Can I use a Working Holiday Visa instead of the AEWV?
Yes — eligible Working Holiday Visa holders can generally take up farm work, including full-time roles. It’s shorter-term, though: it doesn’t convert into residence, and long-term workers eventually need the AEWV.
Poultry and egg farm work in New Zealand pays a real, verifiable wage and runs through an established visa process, but it is not a shortage-list fast track, and pretending otherwise does applicants a disservice. Workers with documented experience, realistic expectations about the 3-year visa cap, and a direct application to an accredited employer like Tegel or Inghams stand the best chance of turning this into a genuine, sponsored move to rural New Zealand.
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