New immigration changes seek to better support businesses
The New Zealand government has announced that it is adding more jobs to the Green List and increasing the cap to the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, among other immigration changes, to support businesses.
Immigration Minister Andrew Little announced this week that the government is adding 17 more roles to the Green List starting next year.
"From next year the ICT, automotive, and engineering sectors will have the option of Green List visas when they need to fill specialist skilled role when a New Zealand worker cannot be found," Little said in a statement.
The additional Green List roles will include:
- 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
RSE cap hiked
The government is also increasing the limit of its RSE scheme by 500, officially raising the cap to 19,500.
Little attributed the hike to the requests from the horticulture and viticulture sectors, who sought for a "moderate increase" to the RSE cap for the year ahead.
"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," Little said.
The changes follow the largest increase made by the New Zealand government last year, welcoming 3,000 overseas employees to the RSE scheme. It also expanded the Green List to include more professions healthcare, education and construction sectors.
More roles for construction, infrastructure
Little also announced that seven more roles will be included in the Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement starting next year following the Cabinet's green light.
The agreement enables employers to recruit migrants for roles on the sector agreement at a lower wage threshold ($26.69) than the Accredited Employer Work Visa ($29.66).
According to Little, the addition of these roles seeks to boost the government's delivery of new houses and infrastructure. These positions include:
- Driller's Assistant
- Earthmoving Labourer
- Earthmoving Plant Operator general
- Linemarker
- Machine Operators not elsewhere classified
- Mechanic's Assistant
- Road Traffic Controller
Recovery Visa closure
Meanwhile, Little said that applications for the Recovery Visa will be closed after it was launched in March as a response to weather-related disasters early this year.
Existing holders of the visa can now apply for a three-month extension to transition to longer-term work visas, according to Little.
"The Recovery Visa was an immediate response to the Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle. Our focus is now on building a longer-term workforce to support the recovery ongoing recovery and be ready to respond to future extreme weather events," the minister said.
Compliance visits change
Little also announced that the government will also amend the Immigration Act 2009 to require judicial warrant for out-of-hours compliance activity.
"Requiring a judicial warrant will ensure powers are not used disproportionately and there is a legal, third-party check and balance," Little said.
The change follows the recommendation made by Mike Heron KC in the wake of Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's formal apology in August 2021 on the Dawn Raids.
The so-called Dawn Raids took place between 1973 and 1979 where police squads would carry out aggressive raids on the homes and workplaces of overstayers in New Zealand.
Changing the Immigration Act as part of its acceptance of Heron's recommendations shows the government's intent of the 2021 Dawn Raids apology, according to Little.
"The government is committed to continuing to right the wrongs of the past and honouring the historic Dawn Raids Apology to Pacific people with," the minister said.
