New Zealand’s freight and logistics sector is short of qualified drivers, and companies across the country are turning to overseas talent to fill the gap. If you hold a valid heavy vehicle licence and a clean driving record, truck driving is one of the more realistic pathways into New Zealand’s Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) system — with decent pay, steady demand, and in some cases a route toward residence.
Here’s what foreign drivers need to know about pay, licence conversion, employers who sponsor visas, and how the Transport Sector Agreement can work in your favour.
Why New Zealand Needs Overseas Truck Drivers
New Zealand’s road freight network moves the vast majority of the country’s goods — dairy, timber, produce, retail stock, and construction materials all travel by truck. An ageing local driver workforce and years of border closures during the pandemic left transport operators with persistent vacancies, particularly for drivers holding Class 4 and Class 5 licences who can operate heavy combination vehicles and truck-and-trailer units.
That shortage is why road transport occupations remain firmly on the immigration radar, and why accredited transport companies continue to sponsor AEWV visas for experienced drivers from overseas.
How Much Do Truck Drivers Earn in New Zealand?
Pay depends on licence class, the type of freight, and whether the role involves long-haul, regional, or metro driving:
- Class 2 (rigid trucks): roughly NZD $24–$28 per hour
- Class 4 (heavy combination vehicles): roughly NZD $26–$32 per hour
- Class 5 (truck and trailer, the top heavy licence class): roughly NZD $28–$35+ per hour
- Specialist freight (livestock, log trucks, bulk tankers, hazardous goods): often at the higher end, sometimes with allowances on top
Under current AEWV rules, employers must pay at least the market rate for the role, and it cannot fall below the minimum floor of NZD $23.95 per hour (the rule changed in March 2025, when the old “median wage” requirement was scrapped in favour of a market-rate test). Long-haul and night-shift roles frequently pay above these baseline figures once allowances are included.
Licence Requirements: Converting Your Licence in New Zealand
This is the part most overseas applicants underestimate. New Zealand has its own heavy vehicle licence classes, and an overseas licence does not automatically let you drive trucks here.
- Get a New Zealand driver licence. Depending on your country of origin, you may be able to convert your overseas car licence directly, or you may need to sit theory and practical tests.
- Hold a full car licence (Class 1) first. This is the base requirement before progressing to heavy vehicle classes.
- Complete the required heavy vehicle testing. Class 2, 4, and 5 each require a theory test, a practical driving test in the relevant vehicle, and — for higher classes — the “F” endorsement if you’ll be carrying passengers, or a wheels, tracks and rollers (W endorsement) for certain heavy machinery.
- Get a driver licence medical certificate. Required for Class 2 and above.
Some employers, particularly larger logistics companies, will support new arrivals through this conversion process as part of onboarding, especially if you already hold an equivalent heavy licence overseas. It’s worth asking directly during the interview stage.
Companies Hiring Overseas Truck Drivers
Several accredited transport and logistics employers across New Zealand regularly recruit from overseas for driving roles, including:
- Mainfreight — one of New Zealand’s largest freight and logistics companies, with depots nationwide
- Toll Group NZ — transport and warehousing across major centres
- Downer Group NZ — infrastructure and heavy transport roles
- Freightways — parcel and freight delivery networks
- NZ Post — courier and freight driving positions
- Regional livestock transport operators, bulk tanker companies, and log haulage contractors in rural areas
Search job boards such as Seek NZ and TradeMe Jobs for “Class 2,” “Class 4,” or “Class 5 driver,” and check each listing for AEWV accreditation status before applying.
The Transport Sector Agreement: A Pathway Worth Knowing About
Immigration New Zealand maintains sector agreements for industries facing persistent skills shortages, and road transport is one of them. Drivers employed under a Transport Sector Agreement with an accredited employer may access settings slightly different from the standard AEWV — including, in some cases, provisions that support a longer-term pathway if the role and employer remain accredited. Requirements and settings for sector agreements are reviewed periodically, so always confirm the current terms directly with Immigration New Zealand or your prospective employer before relying on them.
How to Apply
- Secure a job offer from an NZ-accredited transport employer.
- Convert or obtain your NZ heavy vehicle licence at the class your role requires (some employers assist with this).
- Gather your documents: passport, job offer, licence records, medical certificate, and any required English language evidence.
- Apply for your AEWV through Immigration New Zealand once your employer’s job check is approved.
- Complete health and character checks as required for your visa application.
Final Word
Truck driving is one of the more accessible AEWV pathways for foreign workers with the right licence and experience — steady pay, consistent demand, and employers used to sponsoring overseas staff. The main hurdle is the licence conversion process, so start researching New Zealand’s heavy vehicle licence classes early, even before you have a job offer in hand.