The government has changed the rules for Queenstown Lakes employers who want to hire migrants.

The Ministry of Social Development's 'undersupply list' was updated yesterday (Tuesday December 2) to include 20 types of tourism and hospitality jobs, specifically in the Queenstown Lakes district. 

The move allows more employers to support a work visa application for roles paid below the median wage - including chefs, bartenders, baristas, cleaners, housekeepers, outdoor guides, tour guides and others (full list below). 

Both the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) mayor Jim Boult and Southland’s new National MP Joseph Mooney welcomed the news.

"I am delighted to see the changes made by the ministry today, responding to the lack of New Zealanders available to fill a number of key tourism and hospitality roles in the Queenstown Lakes district," Jim said.

There is a lack of New Zealanders available to fill key tourism and hospitality roles in this district, mayor Jim Boult says.

"Our district has relied heavily on workers from overseas given the scale of the visitor economy here, and I couldn’t see any other way of helping these businesses adequately staff themselves” 

Southland MP Joseph Mooney says it will mean many thousands of workers on employer-assisted work visas will be able to secure further employment.

"There was serious concern in the community [that] work visas were expiring and there was a struggle to not only find Kiwi workers, but any workers at all," he said.

"I had heard of situations where businesses were having to close because they couldn’t get sufficient staff... While [this] does not solve the labour shortage issue, it will provide some relief to many businesses.”

The following occupations will be added to the undersupply list for the area covered by the QLDC:

• 351311 - Executive Chef, Head Chefs, Sous Chefs, Chef de Partie, Commis Chef
• 351411 - Cook
• 431111/ 431511 - Restaurant supervisor
• 431511 - Waiter
• 431111 - Bartender
• 431112 - Barista
• 851299 - Butchery assistant
• 851211 - Bakery assistant
• 851299 - Food trades assistant
• 851111 - Fast food cook
• 851311 - Kitchenhand
• 431411 - Concierge
• 542113 - Hotel or Motel Receptionist
• 811211 - Cleaner
• 431912 - Porter
• 811511 - Laundry Attendant
• 811411 - Housekeeper
• 452299 - Outdoor Adventure Guide
• 452217 - Raft Guides
• 452214 - Canyon Guide
• 451412 - Tour Guide

Employers will still need to advertise their vacancies and demonstrate they have made genuine attempts to attract and recruit suitable New Zealanders.

PHOTOS: Supplied