Many migrant workers currently in New Zealand will be able to stay and work here for longer, following adjustments to visa settings announced by immigration minister Kris Faafoi.

The changes include a six month extension for employer-assisted work visa holders; a postponed stand down period for low-paid essential skills visa holders; retention of the 2019 median wage of $25.50 per hour for immigration settings until at least July 2021; and working holiday visas extended by six months.

“Our economy is bouncing back better than expected and we are seeing labour shortages across many industries,” Kris said.

“With the labour market outlook being more optimistic, we are implementing a range of changes to ensure the migrant workforce already in New Zealand can supplement employers’ efforts to recruit New Zealanders who have lost jobs due to COVID.”

Kris said the visa setting changes will run well into 2021 to provide certainty for employers and workers, and the government will closely watch how the labour market develops to see whether further extensions are needed.

There are about 192,000 migrant workers in New Zealand. While this is a similar number to a year ago the numbers would be expected to fall as visas expire and border restrictions mean limited numbers of new workers are able to come to New Zealand.

“With border restrictions in place to keep COVID-19 out, we cannot bring the numbers of migrant workers into New Zealand that many industries have come to rely on, especially for their peak seasons,” Kris said.

“Our priority remains to help get New Zealanders into jobs and we encourage employers to continue focusing on longer-term workforce planning, training, and improving wages and conditions to attract a local workforce.

“While these changes will allow employers to retain their existing migrant workforce, they will still need to prove that no New Zealanders are available before hiring new employees.”

Workers on employer-assisted visas can renew, and other migrants can obtain essential skills visas, if they have an offer of work for 30 hours per week and it can be shown that there are no New Zealanders available to do the job. 

Employers of low-paid migrant workers, who are subject to the stand down period, can avoid the stand down period by paying above the median wage.

PHOTO: Supplied