Great question! In New Zealand, regional areas outside Auckland often provide extra points towards your Permanent Residency (PR) application, especially through the Skilled Migrant Category. Here’s how it works:

Extra PR Points for Studying or Working in Regional New Zealand

- Studying in a non-Auckland region:
If you complete a qualification at Level 7 or 8 (Bachelor’s or Postgraduate) outside Auckland, you may be eligible for 30 bonus points when applying for PR under the Skilled Migrant Category.
- Working in a regional area:
If your skilled employment is in a region outside Auckland, you can also claim additional points.

Which regions are eligible?

All regions outside the Auckland Council area qualify as “regional” for PR points. This includes (but is not limited to):
- Waikato (Hamilton)
- Bay of Plenty (Tauranga, Rotorua)
- Wellington Region (Wellington City, Lower Hutt, Porirua, etc.)
- Canterbury (Christchurch)
- Otago (Dunedin, Queenstown)
- Hawke’s Bay (Napier, Hastings)
- Taranaki (New Plymouth)
- Manawatu-Whanganui (Palmerston North)
- Northland (Whangarei)
- Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast, Southland, Gisborne, Tasman

Auckland is specifically excluded from these extra points.

Key Points to Remember

- Check the latest Immigration New Zealand Skilled Migrant Category requirements, as policies can change.
- You must provide evidence of your study or skilled employment in the specified regional area.

Need help choosing a region, university, or course?
Pollster Education can assist you with university selection, PR strategy, and understanding all eligibility criteria for New Zealand. Feel free to get in touch at +91 9324480791 or info@pollstereducation.com for personalized guidance!