National Occupation List occupation
Horizontal Directional Drilling Worker is occupation 712214 on the National Occupation List (NOL) V3.0, Stats NZ's New Zealand occupation classification, at NOL skill level 3. It has no ANZSCO 1.3 code of its own: Stats NZ maps it to ANZSCO 712211 Driller.
Stats NZ describes the requirement for NOL skill level 3 as:
NZQCF Level 4 qualification, or at least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification (NZQCF Level 4/NOL Skill Level 3).
A skill level describes the occupation, not you. Immigration New Zealand matches a job to the single closest occupation, and the skill level comes from that occupation; more experience does not move an occupation to a higher level.
Installs underground pipelines, cables and service conduit through trenchless methods using a directional drilling machine, and associated attachments, to accurately drill along the chosen bore path and/or according to project specifications.
Ensures all drilling operations are conducted safely and in compliance with requisite policies, regulations and standards.
Maintains and inspects drilling equipment and may document drilling activities, including borehole locations, depths, and any issues encountered during operations.
Job titles Stats NZ lists under this occupation:
Immigration New Zealand accepts Horizontal Directional Drilling Worker (712214) for an Accredited Employer Work Visa or job check from 3 November 2025, at NOL skill level 3. For any other visa, including the Skilled Migrant Category, INZ requires the equivalent ANZSCO occupation code instead, so the rows below use the ANZSCO level for those visas. INZ's NOL list.
| Visa rule | For this occupation | More |
|---|---|---|
| Accredited Employer Work Visa: longest visa | Up to 5 years for skill level 1 to 3 roles. | AEWV guide |
| AEWV: evidence of English | Required for skill level 3 roles from 1 June 2026, with limited exemptions. | AEWV guide |
| Supporting a partner's visa | The skill level 1 to 3 wage threshold applies. | Partner of a Worker |
| Skilled Migrant Category: Skilled Work Experience pathway | Not available: skill level 4 and 5 occupations are excluded. | Skilled Work Experience pathway |
Rules as published by Immigration New Zealand. Lists synced 31 October 2026. Each visa has further requirements beyond skill level, including pay and work experience.
Stats NZ links this occupation to Tahatū, the government careers website, which has more about the work in New Zealand, including pay: Driller .
Picking the right occupation decides the skill level, and with it the visa rules above. Talk it through with us: we will listen to your situation and match you with the right IAA-licensed adviser. You can also check your pay and work experience against the residence wage rules with our calculator.
Horizontal Directional Drilling Worker is occupation 712214 on Stats NZ's National Occupation List. Its ANZSCO 1.3 equivalent is 712211 Driller.
NOL skill level 3, where 1 is the most skilled and 5 the least. NZQCF Level 4 qualification, or at least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification (NZQCF Level 4/NOL Skill Level 3).
Yes, for an Accredited Employer Work Visa or job check: Immigration New Zealand accepts Horizontal Directional Drilling Worker (712214) from 3 November 2025. For any other visa, such as the Skilled Migrant Category, INZ requires the equivalent ANZSCO occupation code instead.
Sources: National Occupation List V3.0.0, Stats NZ, CC BY 4.0, synced 1 November 2026; Immigration New Zealand occupation lists, synced 31 October 2026. This page reproduces published classifications and Immigration New Zealand's lists. It is general information, not immigration advice. ProVisas is a licensed New Zealand immigration advisory firm (IAA Licence 201301110).
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