The Government has announced several changes to immigration policy, just three weeks out from the 2023 general election.
Immigration Minister Andrew Little revealed the tweaks to the Green List, seasonal employment, compliance visits, and recovery visas on Saturday.
"Our immigration system is complex, and must continually evolve to underwrite the economic recovery, support businesses to fill gaps, and grow strong communities," he said.
So what changes were announced?
The Green List
The Government will add 17 new roles to the Green List - an official register of the most in-demand jobs in Aotearoa.
Little said the roles fall mostly into the IT, automotive, and engineering industries.
Examples include aviation engineers, ICT systems administrators, marine architects, and panelbeaters.
Seasonal employment
The Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) cap will increase by 500 spots for the incoming summer.
That means a total of 19,500 migrants can come to New Zealand for short-term work and help ease critical labour shortages.
Little said the horticulture and viticulture sectors asked the Government to increase the cap.
"The increase strikes the right balance between giving New Zealanders first access to jobs, the availability of suitable accommodation, and the importance of remittances and access for our Pacific Island neighbours."
Compliance visits
Immigration officials will now need to get a judicial search warrant, every time they want to do home compliance visits outside regular hours.
Little said the change will ensure a "check and balance" to the system.
It comes after Jacinda Ardern's Government formally apologised for the 1970s Dawn Raids in August 2021, and acknowledged its impacts on the Pasifika community.
"The government is committed to continuing to right the wrongs of the past, and honouring the historic Dawn Raids Apology to Pacific people with action," said Little.
Recovery Visas
The Government announced Recovery Visas earlier this year, as a response measure to extreme weather events across the motu, including Cyclone Gabrielle.
Now, migrants on Recovery Visas will have their stay extended by three months, after the initial time limit was six months.
"Our focus is now on building a longer-term workforce to support the ongoing recovery and be ready to respond to future extreme weather events," said Little.
Sector Agreements
Finally, seven extra roles will be added to the CISA (Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement).
The CISA, in place since last October, lets construction and infrastructure businesses employ migrants at a lower pay rate ($26.69 an hour), compared to what the workers would earn under an Accredited Employer Work Visa ($29.66 an hour).
Cabinet agreed to add the seven roles next year "to continue the government's delivery of new houses and infrastructure," Little said.
Summary
- Establish a judicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits
- Increase the Recognised Seasonal Employer cap in 2023/24 by 500 places
- Add seven new roles to the Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement
- Add 17 new roles to the Green List
- Give a three-month extension to Recovery Visa holders already in New Zealand
New roles added to the CISA
- Driller's Assistant
- Earthmoving Labourer
- Earthmoving Plant Operator general
- Linemarker
- Machine Operators not elsewhere classified
- Mechanic's Assistant
- Road Traffic Controller
New roles added to the Green List
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
- Aviation Engineer (Avionics, Aeronautical, Aerospace Engineer)
- Corrections Officer
- Fitter and Turner
- Fitter general
- Fitter-Welder
- ICT Database and System Administrator
- Mechanical Engineering Technician
- Metal Fabricator
- Metal Machinist first class
- Naval Architect (Marine Designer)
- Panel Beater
- Paving Plant Operator
- Pressure Welder
- Road Roller Operator
- Vehicle Painter
- Welder
