This includes the majority of visas used by people working on dairy farms. The proposed changes represent a significant overhaul of the current system and follow a period of discussion and lobbying by a range of industries and organisations, including DairyNZ.

The new framework aims to simplify the immigration system by reducing the number of pathways for employer-assisted temporary work visas into one framework that includes employer, job and migrant checks – in that order. The framework would remove the essential skills in demand national lists and replace these with regional skills shortages lists.

The changes should provide more certainty for employers who meet the required standards, make for faster processing for employers hiring subsequent migrants, and provide longer-term ease and certainty. The new framework would initially require more upfront investment for most employers.

The consultation period closes on 18 March 2019.  DairyNZ will be making a submission on behalf of dairy farmers. We are currently working through the proposal and forming a view of the best way to submit to achieve dairy’s goals in alignment with the Dairy Tomorrow strategy, the Sustainable Dairying: Workplace Action Plan and our workforce needs.

We will update this page with information as it comes to hand and also with practical information such as what the changes might mean for you. There will also be an opportunity for you to give feedback on our draft submission.

Details of the consultation including how to make your own submission are on the MBIE website.