Employers in New Zealand risk losing their accreditation to hire overseas workers if they fail to prove they are genuinely trying to recruit unemployed locals first, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford has warned.
RNZ reports that with thousands of migrant workers’ visas set to expire in the coming months — many issued after the pandemic under three-year limits — the government says businesses must prioritise New Zealand jobseekers, particularly for lower-skilled roles.
Stanford, as per RNZ, told the Association for Migration and Investment’s annual conference that unemployment has risen by 20,000 since accredited employer work visas were introduced in 2022. Yet more than one in six employers seeking to hire migrants had either not engaged with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) or had fallen short on advertising requirements.
“It is not negotiable for employers to not work with MSD in good faith and try to employ New Zealanders into roles first,” she said.
“It’s not a reflection on the individual migrants… It’s a reflection on the fact that we have New Zealanders who are desperate for jobs and need to be given the first opportunity.”
Recent data shared with MSD and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) shows that between March and July this year, 17 percent of job checks for lower-skilled level four and five roles did not meet MSD engagement criteria. About five percent triggered warnings over inconsistencies in job details, while 11 percent led to revocation referral concerns where employers had not approached MSD at all.
Industries most affected include primary production, retail, hospitality, transport and logistics, construction and health.
Stanford said the changed post-pandemic economic climate means migrants approaching the end of their visas must leave unless eligible for another pathway, such as residence — and employers must be ready to replace them with local talent.
“I’ve been very clear with Immigration New Zealand that where employers do not do so, I am comfortable with their accreditation being revoked,” she said, adding that officials were working closely with major employers with large numbers of visas due to expire soon.
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