New Visa Category to Ease Pressure on Employers During Seasonal Peaks

• Government introduces new subcategory of Specific Purpose Work Visa to meet seasonal labour demand.
• Seasonal roles must meet strict criteria including pay, duration, and experience requirements.
• Changes are interim with potential for a long-term solution under review.

The Government has unveiled a new subcategory under the Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV) to provide much-needed relief to employers facing upcoming seasonal peaks. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford announced that this initiative aims to address the significant demand for additional workers across various sectors in the coming months.

“We know in the coming months a number of sectors will need a significant number of additional workers to undertake key seasonal roles,” said Minister Stanford. She further emphasised that this new pathway is designed to complement recent changes to the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, making it easier for employers to access essential seasonal workers.

“This is an interim, time-limited, and streamlined pathway and is more in line with the length of seasonal work,” she added.

To maintain the integrity of New Zealand’s immigration system while prioritising local workers, the new visa category includes several key requirements. Employers must hold accreditation under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme, advertise roles before applying, and ensure roles pay at least $29.66 per hour for a minimum of 30 hours per week. Additionally, these roles, which must not exceed nine months in duration, need to be directly related to seasonal activities.

Applicants must have at least four months of relevant experience and must commence their roles on or before 31 May 2025, with applications closing by 31 March 2025. However, roles typically filled by RSE workers in horticulture, viticulture, and fishing crew positions are excluded from this visa category as they are covered by other visa schemes.

Minister Stanford mentioned that the Government is considering a more permanent solution for seasonal workers as part of the ongoing AEWV review. “This change is a step forward in creating a smarter immigration system that creates opportunities for people to come here but also protects New Zealanders’ rights to work and thrive.”