Visa Crunch Ahead: NZ Dairy Faces Worker Exodus

The New Zealand dairy industry is on the brink of a labor crisis, attributed to a forthcoming wave of work visa expirations for migrant workers. Beginning in November 2025, the number of expired visas is set to rise fr om 18 in October to 66, with an anticipated surge to over 350 by mid-2026. This situation poses a substantial risk to dairy farm operations nationwide.

Recent policy changes impacting ANZSCO Level 4 and 5 roles, which include dairy farm assistants, lim it work stays to three years and require passing an English test for a visa extension. Without these requisites, many workers face a mandatory year-long departure.

Karl Dean, Federated Farmers’ dairy chair, emphasizes the need for employers to act proactively to avoid losing skilled workers due to administrative challenges. Potential solutions include reapplying for new visas under updated criteria or offering promotions to positions like herd manager, classified as Green List occupations.

The broader industry issue is a persistent labor shortage, with 16% of farms short-staffed. Despite efforts to improve employment conditions, the reliance on migrant labor remains critical, prompting ongoing advocacy for supportive immigration policies.