You can apply for an Essential Skills work visa if you have specialist skills that New Zealand needs, and

the occupation is listed on one of our skill shortage lists, or
employers are unable to find a suitable New Zealand citizen or resident for the job.
Visa durations and conditions depend on the term of your job offer, your salary, and labour market conditions. Most work visas do not have an age limit.

If your occupation is on a skill shortage list
If you have a job offer for a full time job, and the occupation that is on one of our skill shortage lists, you can apply for an Essential Skills work visa. Your qualifications and experience must match those required.

The employer does not need to provide evidence of trying to recruit New Zealanders as INZ reviews the skill shortage lists regularly.

Immigration New Zealand’s (INZ) website has lists of skills that are in demand.

If your occupation is not on a skill shortage list
If you have a job offer for a full time job, and the occupation is not on a skill shortage list, you can still apply for an Essential Skills work visa if no New Zealanders are available.

The employer must be able to prove that they:

have advertised the job in New Zealand, and
made genuine but unsuccessful efforts to find a New Zealand citizen or resident for the job before offering it to you.
Residence opportunity
If you have an Essential Skills work visa based on a skilled job, you may be able to gain enough points to qualify for a residence visa under the Skilled Migrant Category.