Start here: tree work in New Zealand

This page is a map. It names the official body for each question and points to the longer guides on this site. It is not legal or immigration advice. Official page details below are as of October 5, 2026, and rules change.

Who sets the safety rules

WorkSafe New Zealand is the regulator. It hosts the Approved Code of Practice for Safety and Health in Arboriculture, which covers climbing, pruning, trimming, maintaining and removing trees. WorkSafe says on that page that the guidance has not been updated to reflect the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, that it may still contain relevant information, and that it should be read together with the industry standards that apply to a person conducting a business or undertaking.

On its home page, WorkSafe also has a forestry topic, with guidance on tree felling near powerlines. How the five countries compare is in safety rules for tree work, country by country.

Tickets and certificates employers ask for

The code says all arborists engaged in arboricultural work shall be suitably qualified to carry out that work, and that competency outcomes shall be documented. It defines a Qualified Arborist as a person who holds a recognised degree, diploma or certificate in arboricultural operations, is familiar with the equipment and hazards, and has shown the ability to do the tasks. It also says no person under the age of 15 shall work in any arboriculture operation.

Those are statements in a code that WorkSafe says is out of date with the current Act. No official page linked here states a licence to do general tree work. The qualifications that training providers list are in certifications by country. See also choosing a climbing course and apprenticeships.

The main association

The industry body called the NZ Arboricultural Association calls itself the largest industry representative body for New Zealand arboriculture, and its home page promotes a Registered Master Arborists scheme. Its membership page says membership is open to professional arborists and tree managers in private industry and local authorities, and has a student grade limited to students and trainees enrolled in NZQA registered arboricultural qualifications. Prices are on that page. See also associations and reading.

Where official pay figures live

Tahatu, the government careers site, has an arborist page with hourly pay before tax. It shows a most common range of NZ$26 to NZ$40 an hour and no date for those bands. It lists other job titles such as climbing arborist, utility arborist and tree surgeon.

The legal floor is set separately. Employment New Zealand says the adult minimum wage rose to NZ$23.95 an hour on April 1, 2026, in its minimum wage notice. More figures and caveats are in what tree workers earn, country by country.

Reporting a tree pest

For kauri dieback, the Tiakina Kauri report page says a sick kauri on private or council land in the upper North Island should be reported to the local regional council. For myrtle rust, the Department of Conservation page says to take a photo of the rust and the plant, and report it on the iNaturalist website or app. More is in pests and diseases.

Checking visa and work rights from abroad

Immigration New Zealand's working holiday visa page says these visas are for young people, normally aged 18 to 30 but 18 to 35 in a select few countries. It says people from the United Kingdom can stay up to 36 months. Its National Occupation List page covers the occupations used for an Accredited Employer Work Visa. For other countries, see working abroad.

Where events are listed

For this site, see the events page, which is a preview with sample entries. The NZ Arb membership page names its annual conference and tree climbing workshops and events. For jobs, see finding climbing work.

At a glance

Question	Where to look
Safety rules	WorkSafe New Zealand arboriculture code
Qualifications	The code, training providers
Association	NZ Arboricultural Association
Pay	Tahatu, Employment New Zealand
Pest report	Tiakina Kauri, Department of Conservation
Visa	Immigration New Zealand

More guides for tree work in New Zealand

What the law asks instead of a licence, in the licensing guide.
Unit standards and certificates by name, in the tickets guide.
Renewals and CPD, in the keeping certified guide.
Jobs beyond climbing, in the career paths guide.
Official outlook figures, in the career outlook guide.
Line clearance as a line of work, in the utility line clearance guide.
Safety reading at no cost, in the free safety resources guide.
Crisis and support lines, in the mental health and support guide.
Local groups near you, in the chapters and branches guide.
How a tree works, in the tree biology guide.
Naming the tree in front of you, in the tree identification guide.
Planting and nursery stock rules, in the planting standards guide.
Free courses and reading, in the free learning library.
Council tree rules, in the Australia and New Zealand council rules guide.
Published injury cover rates for tree work, in the injury cover rates guide.
Minimum wages and award rates, in the minimum pay guide.
Risk assessments and equipment records, in the site paperwork guide.
Who must report a work injury, in the injury reporting guide.
Official injury and death figures, in the injury figures guide.
Crane operator licences and lifting rules, in the cranes guide.
Public lookups for a tree company, in the company checks guide.
Approved contractor and credential-check schemes, in the schemes guide.
Every regulator, licence office and scheme in one list, in the New Zealand directory of official bodies.
Helmet standards and the markings to look for, in the helmets guide.
Visors, glasses and ear defenders, in the eye, face and hearing guide.
Chainsaw trousers, chaps and boots by label, in the chainsaw clothing guide.
Line, lanyard and friction cord ratings, in the climbing lines guide.
Saddle and harness standards, in the saddles and harnesses guide.
The numbers stamped on carabiners and pulleys, in the hardware ratings guide.
High-visibility clothing for roadside work, in the hi-vis guide.
Gear inspection and examination rules, in the gear inspection guide.
Unit conversions and green wood weights, on the tools page.