Seasonal work visa revamped

Two new seasonal work visa pathways have been announced by the Government to fill key seasonal roles, alongside a new health insurance requirement.

The Global Workforce Seasonal Visa is for highly-experienced seasonal workers in roles such as rural contracting, sheep scanning, winemaking, and snow instruction over three subsequent seasons, while the Peak Seasonal Visa targets short-term seasonal roles such as meat and seafood processing, calf-rearing, and wool handling.

The GWSV requires visa holders to be out of New Zealand for a minimum of three months before returning, while the PSV requires at least one season of previous relevant experience and a leave period New Zealand for at least four months before the visa can be renewed.

Employers will be required to advertise these roles, as well as engage with MSD, to ensure that New Zealand workers continue to be prioritised.

“These new visas will make it easier for employers to bring back experienced seasonal workers and to fill short-term roles that are hard to fully staff locally,” says Immigration Minister Erica Stanford.

“These visas are designed to reflect the realities of seasonal work and the diverse range of skill levels involved.

“We are making sure businesses can access the right people at the right time, while also protecting opportunities for Kiwis.”

The two new visas have been applauded by New Zealand Winegrowers CEO Philip Gregan to provide longer term certainty for winery staff.

“Each year our wineries need to lift the capacity of their workforce during vintage. Our first priority is to employ New Zealanders, but there is always a gap which we need to fill from offshore.”