Working in New Zealand as a Early Childhood Educator

Early Childhood Educator is on a published shortage list in New Zealand, which is the shortest route in. Below: the exact list and code, the salary floor that applies, and how it compares with what the job actually pays.

Is this occupation on a shortage list?

Yes. It is named on the following:

  • Green List - Work to Residence

    Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher (241111)

    Tier 2 requires a qualifying period of work in New Zealand before residence can be applied for.

Does the pay clear the visa salary floor?

This route publishes no salary floor.

Route to permanent residence

  • Green List - Straight to ResidenceResidence on arrival
  • Green List - Work to ResidenceWork first, then residence

What else to know

  • Regulated professions such as medicine, nursing and teaching require registration with the New Zealand professional body before the role can be taken up.
  • Immigration New Zealand publishes several Green List pay floors as hourly rates, not annual salaries.
See full pay percentiles for this role

Rules checked against the official source on 2026-08-01.

This is a summary of published rules, not immigration advice.