News and releases

The Government is putting in place a range of immigration policy changes to help fill labour shortages in the horticulture and viticulture industries while ensuring New Zealanders, who have lost jobs due to COVID-19, have the chance to find new employment.

The Government has established class exceptions for border entry for a limited number of veterinarians, deep sea fishing crew, as well as agricultural and horticultural machinery operators.

The Government has announced a scheme to support the recovery of refunds and credits owed to New Zealand consumers by overseas travel suppliers.

The Government is creating a new border exception category to enable the return of some temporary work visa holders who are overseas and have strong, ongoing links to New Zealand

The Government is making changes to current border exception rules to allow some partners of New Zealand citizens and residents to be able to reunite in New Zealand.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment announced today that 200 events across New Zealand are sharing a cash-injection of just under $10 million from the Domestic Events Fund.

A range of policy, legislative and operational changes will be made over the coming years to address temporary migrant worker exploitation in New Zealand.

$10 million has been invested in the Regional Business Partners (RBP) network, enabling small-medium tourism businesses which have been impacted by COVID-19 to seek a wide range of free expert business advice.

The Government is making immediate short-term changes to visa settings to support temporary migrants already onshore in New Zealand and their employers, while also ensuring New Zealanders needing work are prioritised.

Recognised Seasonal Employers and migrant seasonal workers stranded in New Zealand will be able to continue working and supporting themselves with more flexible hours and roles.