Introduction
If you’re looking to build a career in New Zealand in 2025, especially in dairy or aviation, two standout employers offering visa-sponsored roles are Fonterra (New Zealand’s dairy giant) and Air New Zealand, the national airline. As the country faces labor shortages in critical sectors, both companies are opening opportunities for international talent from farm operations and logistics to pilots, engineers, and more. In this post, we’ll break down what kinds of positions are available, how visa sponsorship works, and what to know about the pathways into these industries.
Understanding the Landscape: Why These Roles Are in Demand
New Zealand has shifted its immigration framework in recent years. For example, as of November 3, 2025, New Zealand fully adopted its new National Occupation List (NOL) for work visa applications, replacing the older ANZSCO system. (The Economic Times)
This change reflects a reorientation toward the sectors that are genuinely in demand — including technical, trades, and operational roles like those offered by Fonterra and Air New Zealand.
At the same time, firms like Fonterra and Air NZ remain accredited employers under New Zealand’s work visa schemes (such as the Accredited Employer Work Visa, AEWV), meaning they can directly sponsor foreign workers for roles that are hard to fill locally. (InsuranceGrades.com)
Fonterra: Opportunities in Dairy, Logistics & More
Fonterra isn’t just about cows and milk — their operations cover a broad value chain, from farm to factory to transport. On their careers site, they list roles in:
- Scientific research & R&D
- Engineering and energy centers
- Process and packaging operations
- Supply chain & logistics
- Tanker (milk) operators / drivers (Fonterra)
Key roles with visa potential include:
- Farm Assistants / Farm Workers: Fonterra often posts farm-labour roles with visa sponsorship. On SEEK, “Farm Worker” roles for Fonterra are listed under visa sponsorship categories. (SEEK)
- Herd / Dairy Managers: More senior farm leadership jobs (e.g., herd manager) appear under Fonterra-sponsored listings. (SEEK)
- Tanker Operators: These are professional driving roles — more than just “farm labour.” Fonterra’s recruitment literature explicitly mentions “milk collection and transport.” (Fonterra)
- Graduate Technical Programme: For STEM graduates, Fonterra offers a structured technical graduate program (12 months) where you rotate across sites, take part in R&D, and build a dairy-technology career. (Fonterra)
Visa & Sponsorship Insight (Fonterra):
- Fonterra is on the list of accredited employers for sponsorship. (Careerical eConsult)
- Their Employee Recruitment Guide provides transparency about hiring processes, what to expect, and career development. (Fonterra)
- Given that many roles are operational (farm work, driving), visa pathways typically go through work visas like AEWV, rather than immediate residency.
Real-World Perspective:
Some workers note that farm roles can be demanding but rewarding:
“Varied work and rewarding, but can be long hours … You generally get free or close to free accommodation though.”
— Reddit user describing a Fonterra farm assistant job (Reddit)
Air New Zealand: Aviation, Engineering & Logistical Roles
Air New Zealand is not only about flying — their business spans maintenance, engineering, digital, and ground operations. Their careers page shows a wide variety of roles: from cabin crew to senior strategy, engineering, and cargo. (Air New Zealand)
Some of the visa-friendly roles:
- Aircraft Engineers & Maintenance Technicians
These are high-skill roles where overseas engineers may be hired, especially if they have experience, licences, or specific technical certification. - Pilot Cadet Programme
Air NZ runs a Mangōpare Pilot Cadetship: a training scheme that accelerates pilot training. Importantly, it covers much of the training cost and ties cadets into a pathway to become full Air NZ pilots.- Cadets train in overseas locations (e.g., Arizona) before returning to New Zealand.
- After successful training, there is a pathway to employment with the airline.
- Digital & Corporate Roles
Air NZ lists roles like IT, change management, transformation, marketing, operations strategy, and more. These are more traditional professional roles, often eligible for skilled-visa sponsorship. (Air New Zealand)
Visa & Sponsorship Insight (Air NZ):
- Air New Zealand is listed among top accredited employers in New Zealand for 2025, meaning they are authorized to sponsor work visas. (Careerical eConsult)
- For the cadetship, while the training is intensive and resource-heavy, the payoff is significant: a possible pilot job with the airline.
Comparing Fonterra vs. Air New Zealand: What Makes Them Different (and Similar)
Here’s a quick comparison table to highlight how the two companies line up across roles, visa potential, and career paths:
| Aspect | Fonterra | Air New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Industry | Dairy & Agribusiness | Aviation & Logistics |
| Types of Roles | Farm, R&D, Packaging, Engineering, Transport | Pilots, Engineers, Corporate, Digital, Cargo |
| Visa Sponsorship | Yes – via AEWV and accredited employer scheme. (Careerical eConsult) | Yes – accredited employer; cadetship included. (Careerical eConsult) |
| Career Pathway Example | Farm assistant → Herd manager → Technical role | Cadet → Pilot → Captain; Engineer → Senior Maintenance |
| Training Pathway | Graduate Technical Programme for STEM grads. (Fonterra) | Mangōpare Cadetship for pilots. |
| Visa Risk / Complexity | Moderate: many roles are more “operational,” but Fonterra is well-known and established. | Higher: pilot cadetship requires rigorous training; technical roles require certifications. |
Key Insights & Tips for Applicants
- Check for AEWV Accreditation
Before applying, ensure your prospective employer (Fonterra or Air NZ) is a currently accredited employer. Immigration New Zealand’s policies are strict, and only accredited employers can sponsor certain visas. (Careerical eConsult) - Align Your Skills
- For Fonterra, roles in farm work or driving might not demand advanced qualifications, but roles in R&D, engineering or packaging will.
- For Air NZ, roles like engineering or pilot cadetship require proven experience, certifications, or willingness to undergo training.
- Use the Employer’s Official Sites
- Fonterra’s careers page lets you explore all roles and understand their recruitment and values. (Fonterra)
- Air New Zealand’s careers portal provides detailed descriptions of both operational and corporate roles. (Air New Zealand)
- Prepare for the Visa Route
- When applying, you may need to work with your prospective employer to secure a job offer that supports your visa application.
- Familiarize yourself with New Zealand’s visa process, especially for AEWV or other temporary work visas: what documentation is required, how long the process takes, etc.
- Be Realistic About Lifestyle
Working on a farm or in aviation isn’t glamour-free: farm work can involve early mornings, physical labor, and even living on-site. As one worker put it:“It can be very rewarding … but early starts, long hours … accommodation is often included or cheap.” (Reddit)
- Leverage Training Programs
For those serious about flying, Air NZ’s Mangōpare Cadetship is a golden opportunity. While it requires dedication, it offers structured training and a job pathway that is difficult to come by otherwise.For science or engineering graduates, Fonterra’s Graduate Technical Programme is another excellent way to break in.
Challenges & Risks to Be Mindful Of
- Competition: These roles are attractive and highly competitive. For cadetships especially, not everyone who applies will be accepted.
- Visa Uncertainty: Even with a job offer, visa applications can face delays or rejection. Make sure you understand all the visa conditions and prepare properly.
- Relocation Costs: While some sponsors may help, there may still be personal costs relating to relocating to New Zealand, settling in, and adjusting.
- Lifestyle Adjustment: Rural dairy work, for example, might require living in more remote settings. Ensure you’re mentally and emotionally prepared.
- Policy Changes: Immigration policies, wage thresholds, and visa rules change. For example, the New Zealand government has recently introduced visa-pathway reforms. (The Guardian)
Why Consider These Paths (Conclusion)
Choosing to work for Fonterra or Air New Zealand can be more than just a job — it can be a smart entry point into a stable, meaningful career in New Zealand, with the added benefit of visa sponsorship. For Fonterra, it’s a way to tap into a globally important agricultural business, with operational, technical, and leadership roles. For Air NZ, it’s a chance to enter the aviation world through engineering or as a pilot, backed by structured training programs and global mobility.
If you’re motivated to move abroad, have relevant skills (or are willing to train), and are serious about a long-term career, both companies offer compelling, real-world options. But, like any path to migration, it requires research, planning, and resilience.