NZ Retail & Store Assistant Jobs with Visa Support: Your 2025 Guide

Do you want to start your career in New Zealand’s excellent retail sector while securing your future through visa sponsorship? By late 2025, the New Zealand job market has entered a new phase (reshaping phase). Although competition remains steady, the demand for reliable sales assistants and store managers is still high in regional hubs like Queenstown, Canterbury, and Southland.

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about finding accredited employers, meeting the new 2025 wage thresholds, and securing a retail job that assists with your Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).

1. The 2025 Visa Landscape: What You Need to Know

To obtain a retail job with visa support in New Zealand, a good CV alone is not enough; it is essential to understand the latest Immigration NZ (INZ) rules.

• Accredited Employer Requirement: You can only obtain an AEWV if your employer is officially “accredited.” Currently, thousands of New Zealand retailers hold this status, from small boutiques to big names like Woolworths and Bunnings.
• Median Wage Update: Since August 18, 2025, the standard median wage threshold for the AEWV has been set at $33.56 per hour. However, for some retail jobs falling under “Sector Agreements” (such as grocery or tourism areas), there may be certain concessions or lower thresholds.
• Work Experience: Good news! In March 2025, INZ reduced the minimum work experience requirement for skilled migrants from three years to two years.

2. High-Demand Retail Sectors for Sponsorship

If you are looking for work visa support, targeting the sectors mentioned below will increase your chances of success:

Supermarkets and FMCG

Supermarkets like New World, Pak’nSave, and Woolworths frequently hire for shelf fillers, grocery assistants, and produce supervisors. These jobs are often full-time and are considered excellent for sponsorship in regional areas.

Hardware and Trade Retail

Organizations like Mitre 10 and Bunnings often look for store assistants who have knowledge of timber, gardening, or plumbing. These roles sometimes fall into higher skill categories, making the visa process easier.

Luxury and Fashion Retail

In tourist spots like Queenstown-Lakes and Auckland CBD, major brands (such as Kate Spade and Coach) are often in search of brand ambassadors and assistant store managers who are bilingual or have extensive experience.

3. Best Keywords for Your Job

Use these keywords to find the right jobs on SEEK, Trade Me, or Jora:

Pro Tip: When searching on SEEK, use the “Full-Time” filter only. For most jobs with visa support, it is necessary to work at least 30 hours per week.

Also Read:Agriculture Fruit Picker Jobs in Italy: 2026 Decreto Flussi Update.

4. How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Check Accreditation: Before applying, be sure to check the official INZ Accredited Employer List.
2. Improve Your CV: Clearly highlight your two years of relevant experience. If you have an NZQCF Level 4 or higher degree, make sure to highlight it.
3. “Job Check”: Confirm that the employer has an active “Job Check” for that role. This is the permission the government gives an employer to hire a migrant.
4. State Your Status: Clearly state in your cover letter whether you are outside New Zealand (offshore) or inside (onshore), and that you wish to work with an accredited employer.

5. (FAQs): NZ Retail & Store Assistant Jobs – Visa Support

Disclaimer: This information is shared for educational and informational purposes only. Before applying, please verify the details from the respective employer or the official Immigration New Zealand website.