Can you use TOEFL for a New Zealand visa?

Every figure was copied from the visa's own INZ page on 14 October 2026. INZ publishes them as totals on the 0–120 scale and, on the pages we read, gives no 1–6 equivalent, so if your score report shows a 1–6 score, rely on the comparable 0–120 total ETS prints alongside it and confirm with INZ.

For skilled residence you may not need a test at all: citizens of Canada, Ireland, the UK or the US with at least 5 years' work or study in one of those countries, Australia or New Zealand qualify, as do holders of a comparable bachelor's (2 years' residence while studying) or postgraduate qualification (1 year) from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the US (Immigration NZ). A partner or child who falls short of the test score can instead pre-pay for English lessons; principal applicants cannot.

Universities set their own scores. The University of Auckland's postgraduate page asks for 90 overall with Writing 21 on the 120-point scale, or 4.5 overall with Writing 4.5 on the 6-point scale, and notes that 120-point results stay usable within the normal 2-year validity (University of Auckland). See the University of Auckland IELTS requirement, or try a PTE mock test for New Zealand if you are comparing tests.