Why more NZ businesses are hiring offshore — and how to know if it’s right for you 

Facing staffing pressure or planning for growth? Here’s why offshore recruitment is gaining ground in New Zealand — and how to assess whether it’s the right move for your business.

Why offshore recruitment is on the rise in 2025

Finding skilled, reliable workers has become one of the biggest challenges for New Zealand employers. Roles across construction, logistics, trades, and manufacturing are staying open for weeks — sometimes months — despite repeated job ads and local outreach. 

This shortage isn’t unique to small businesses or a particular region. Even well-established companies are competing for the same limited pool of local candidates. 

That’s why more businesses are turning to offshore recruitment to fill critical gaps. In particular, Filipino workers have become a valued part of the NZ workforce thanks to their strong work ethic, English fluency, and long-term commitment. 

The government’s Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme has made this process more accessible. Since its launch in 2022, over 140,000 work visa approvals have been granted, with the Philippines consistently among the top source countries. 

Recent changes to visa settings — including the removal of the median wage requirement and more flexible job criteria — mean more employers are now eligible to hire from overseas. 

What NZ employers are gaining from offshore hiring

For businesses struggling to hire locally, offshore recruitment offers stability and speed. It’s not just about filling roles — it’s about keeping teams running and projects on track. 

Here’s what employers are seeing: 

• Reliable placements. Many overseas candidates arrive with years of hands-on experience, strong technical ability, and a mindset focused on long-term employment. 
• Better retention. Workers from the Philippines are known for loyalty and commitment. Turnover rates tend to be lower than in high-churn local markets. 
• Access to hard-to-find skills. If you’ve been advertising the same role for weeks with no success, chances are the skills just aren’t available locally. Offshore recruitment opens up access to people who are ready and willing to move for the right role. 

Across industries — from engineering to food production — employers are seeing offshore recruitment not as a backup plan, but as a reliable hiring strategy. 

How to know if it’s right for your business

Hiring from overseas doesn’t suit every role or every operation. But for many businesses, it offers a way forward when local recruitment alone isn’t delivering. 

Here are a few questions to help assess fit: 

• Have you struggled to hire locally despite repeated efforts?
• Are you experiencing delays, downtime, or lost contracts due to staffing shortages?
• Do you have roles that are ongoing or hard to fill with casual or temp staff?
• Is your team equipped to support long-term hires from different cultural backgrounds?

On the other hand, offshore recruitment may not be the best option for roles that need to start immediately or last only a few weeks. Visa processing and relocation take time, so planning ahead matters.

Next steps

If you’re starting to consider offshore hiring, the best next step is a conversation with someone who’s done it before — successfully, and many times over. 

Recruit NZ has helped hundreds of businesses across New Zealand hire skilled, committed workers from the Philippines. Our clients range from growing teams to national operations. We take care of the recruitment process end-to-end, working closely with you to ensure a great fit. 

Considering offshore recruitment? Let’s talk. 
Enquire now and get practical advice on how it could work for your business — no pressure, just clarity.