Cut, prepare, and sell meat products in butcher shops, supermarkets, and food manufacturing facilities across NZ.
Talk to a licensed NZ immigration adviser about your Butcher / Smallgoods Maker visa pathway.
Get Free Assessment →This is an ANZSCO Skill Level 3 occupation, qualifying for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) with up to 5 years duration. After 2 years of NZ work experience you can apply for Skilled Migrant Category residence.
Butchers and Smallgoods Makers are in consistent demand across NZ's retail food sector. ANZSCO 301311 is a native Skill Level 3 occupation — unlike Slaughterer which uses Appendix 7 — qualifying directly for AEWV with a 5-year visa. NZ supermarket chains (Countdown, New World, Pak'nSave), specialty butchers, and smallgoods manufacturers (HELLERS, Quality Food Industries) employ butchers nationwide.
Salaries are based on NZ market data. Regional and rural positions may offer allowances, relocation support, and retention bonuses in addition to base salary.
Source: Immigration NZ Operational Manual (WA3.16) — updated 9 March 2026
Yes. Butcher/Smallgoods Maker (ANZSCO 301311) is Skill Level 3 — qualifying directly for AEWV, 5-year visa, no English test.
Butcher (301311) is ANZSCO Skill Level 3 — cuts and prepares meat in retail/processing environments. Slaughterer (831212) is Skill Level 4 but treated as Level 3 via Appendix 7, working in abattoirs with the slaughter process.
Supermarket meat departments (largest employer), specialty butcher shops, smallgoods manufacturers, and meat processing plants. Nationwide demand with Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch having the most positions.
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