Agreement helps tourism and hospitality keep skilled workers

16 July 2009

New Zealand’s tourism and hospitality sectors are welcoming a move to a more streamlined application process for holders of temporary work permits.

 Immigration New Zealand and Work and Income have agreed on a more effective process to assist employers and employees when applying for a further temporary work permit. It sets out a step by step guide that begins three months before the applicant’s permit expires.

Employers will work closely with Work and Income throughout the application process to ensure priority is given to suitably qualified and experienced New Zealanders. 

Immigration New Zealand has committed to advise the applicant whether their temporary work permit application will be approved or declined at least 30 days before their current permit expires. This gives them and their employer as much certainty as possible in advance of the permit expiring.

“Many New Zealand tourism jobs require a unique skill set and it can be difficult to fill vacancies after work permits expire,” says Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) Chief Executive Tim Cossar.

“This can create real pressure for some employers.”

 New Zealand Hotel Council (NZHC) Chair Jennie Langley says “a number of skilled professions are still in short supply in many regions and New Zealanders aren’t always available or don’t have suitable skills to fill these jobs.”

  In some areas temporary overseas workers are crucial to New Zealand’s multi-billion dollar tourism and hospitality sectors, particularly during peak season.  Many of the available jobs are in areas with low unemployment or where there are no New Zealanders with suitable skills, even as unemployment is increasing.

 Hospitality Association New Zealand (HANZ) Chief Executive Bruce Robertson says areas like Queenstown face real challenges in finding enough people with the right skills to fill vacancies.

“Both the tourism and hospitality sectors want to ensure we deliver consistent, high quality experiences to our guests.  This new process will smooth temporary work permit applications for both employers and employees who currently face too much uncertainty.”

TIA Chief Executive Tim Cossar says all parties have worked hard to reach agreement on the process.

 “We are confident that these changes will make a huge difference for both employers and employees. We need people with the right skills and attitude to maintain New Zealand’s reputation as a world class destination.”

 For further information, please contact:

 Bruce Robertson
Chief Executive
Hospitality Association of New Zealand (HANZ)
Phone: 04 385 1369
Email: bruce@hanz.org.nz

Jennie Langley
Chair
New Zealand Hotel Council (NZHC)
Phone: 021 730 387
Email: jennie.langley@paradise.net.nz

Ann-Marie Johnson
Senior Communications Advisor
Tourism Industry Association (TIA)
Phone: 04 496 5001  
Mobile: 027 600 4565
Email: ann-marie.johnson@tianz.org.nz

Media Line
Department of Labour
Phone: 0274 422 141

Media Team
Work and Income, Ministry of Social Development
Phone: 04 916 3496
Email: nationalmediateam@msd.govt.nz