NZ Visa Policy Revisions: A Strategic Relief for the Dairy Industry
Source: The DairyNews
In response to growing concerns within the dairy sector, Federated Farmers has successfully advocated for urgent revisions to immigration policies, resulting in the government's decision to expedite and prioritize visa applications related to dairy operations.
The recent modifications to immigration rules are anticipated to alleviate the significant labor shortages that have plagued dairy farmers during the critical calving season. According to Richard McIntyre, Federated Farmers’ spokesperson on immigration, the difficulty in securing adequate farm staff has placed unprecedented strain on the industry this year.
"Our concerted efforts alongside the Minister of Immigration and Immigration New Zealand have yielded positive results, ensuring that essential staff can be deployed on farms without delay," McIntyre stated. "The Minister's approval of limited exceptions for existing visa applications, particularly for those already onshore, marks a crucial intervention for the industry."
These changes temporarily exempt dairy farm workers who have submitted visa applications from meeting the standard requirements related to skill levels, prior experience, and English language proficiency. The exemptions specifically target applicants for Dairy Cattle Farm Worker positions (ANZSCO code 841512) who were present in New Zealand as of August 2, 2024, and had applied for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) between April 7 and August 2. Additionally, priority processing for dairy-related visa applications will continue through September 1.
Federated Farmers raised significant concerns with the government regarding the impact of labor shortages on farmer wellbeing, health, safety, and animal welfare during this pivotal season. "The strain of insufficient staffing extends beyond individual farmers to affect their families and farm teams," McIntyre emphasized. "The swift action taken by the Minister reflects a deep understanding of the sector’s challenges."
It is estimated that over 140 migrant dairy workers currently awaiting visa decisions will benefit from these expedited processes, allowing them to begin work immediately. With Immigration New Zealand handling up to 80,000 visa applications monthly, the prioritization of dairy-related applications is a crucial step in addressing the immediate needs of the sector.
McIntyre noted that while these measures are a positive development, they represent only a temporary fix. "We are acutely aware that these are stopgap solutions. The broader issues within the immigration system must be addressed to prevent recurring crises."
The recent upheaval in immigration policy, particularly the changes to the AEWV in April, created unforeseen obstacles for dairy farmers. New regulations required employers to advertise roles for 21 days and list positions with Work and Income, while migrant applicants faced stringent new skill and language requirements. Federated Farmers’ successful advocacy led to a reduction in the advertising period to 14 days and prioritized processing for dairy visas.
"Farm employers were blindsided by the abrupt rule changes earlier this year," McIntyre said. "Going forward, it's imperative that we establish stable, predictable immigration policies to provide the certainty our farmers need."
The latest Farm Confidence Survey by Federated Farmers underscores the severity of the situation, revealing that recruitment challenges in the dairy sector are the most pronounced they have been in over a decade. "The difficulties in filling these essential roles are unacceptable for an industry that is the backbone of New Zealand’s export economy," McIntyre asserted. "While we continue to strive to hire locally, the realities of rural life necessitate a pragmatic approach to immigration."
Farmers are calling for immigration policies that are efficient, practical, and stable—policies that reflect the unique demands of the dairy industry.
"Our concerted efforts alongside the Minister of Immigration and Immigration New Zealand have yielded positive results, ensuring that essential staff can be deployed on farms without delay," McIntyre stated. "The Minister's approval of limited exceptions for existing visa applications, particularly for those already onshore, marks a crucial intervention for the industry."
These changes temporarily exempt dairy farm workers who have submitted visa applications from meeting the standard requirements related to skill levels, prior experience, and English language proficiency. The exemptions specifically target applicants for Dairy Cattle Farm Worker positions (ANZSCO code 841512) who were present in New Zealand as of August 2, 2024, and had applied for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) between April 7 and August 2. Additionally, priority processing for dairy-related visa applications will continue through September 1.
Federated Farmers raised significant concerns with the government regarding the impact of labor shortages on farmer wellbeing, health, safety, and animal welfare during this pivotal season. "The strain of insufficient staffing extends beyond individual farmers to affect their families and farm teams," McIntyre emphasized. "The swift action taken by the Minister reflects a deep understanding of the sector’s challenges."
It is estimated that over 140 migrant dairy workers currently awaiting visa decisions will benefit from these expedited processes, allowing them to begin work immediately. With Immigration New Zealand handling up to 80,000 visa applications monthly, the prioritization of dairy-related applications is a crucial step in addressing the immediate needs of the sector.
McIntyre noted that while these measures are a positive development, they represent only a temporary fix. "We are acutely aware that these are stopgap solutions. The broader issues within the immigration system must be addressed to prevent recurring crises."
The recent upheaval in immigration policy, particularly the changes to the AEWV in April, created unforeseen obstacles for dairy farmers. New regulations required employers to advertise roles for 21 days and list positions with Work and Income, while migrant applicants faced stringent new skill and language requirements. Federated Farmers’ successful advocacy led to a reduction in the advertising period to 14 days and prioritized processing for dairy visas.
"Farm employers were blindsided by the abrupt rule changes earlier this year," McIntyre said. "Going forward, it's imperative that we establish stable, predictable immigration policies to provide the certainty our farmers need."
The latest Farm Confidence Survey by Federated Farmers underscores the severity of the situation, revealing that recruitment challenges in the dairy sector are the most pronounced they have been in over a decade. "The difficulties in filling these essential roles are unacceptable for an industry that is the backbone of New Zealand’s export economy," McIntyre asserted. "While we continue to strive to hire locally, the realities of rural life necessitate a pragmatic approach to immigration."
Farmers are calling for immigration policies that are efficient, practical, and stable—policies that reflect the unique demands of the dairy industry.
