Here on the Matakana Coast, our thriving horticulture, viticulture, and artisanal food sectors depend on skilled hands during busy harvest and production periods. These new Government visa pathways offer a timely boost for local growers, orchardists, and producers who often struggle to meet labour demands during peak seasons.

The Government is introducing two new seasonal visa pathways to help New Zealand businesses access the workers they need during peak periods, while also prioritising jobs for New Zealanders. These changes make it easier to bring back experienced overseas workers while ensuring New Zealanders are prioritised for jobs.

For the Matakana Coast’s horticulture, viticulture, and artisanal food sectors, this could mean a smoother harvest and a stronger season ahead.

The two new seasonal visa pathways to help New Zealand businesses access the workers they need during peak periods, while also prioritising jobs for New Zealanders are:

• Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV): Up to three years for highly experienced seasonal workers in roles such as rural contracting, sheep scanning, winemaking, and snow instruction. It enables skilled workers to return for subsequent seasons on the same visa. Workers must spend a minimum of three months out of every 12 months offshore before returning to New Zealand.

• Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV): Up to seven months for short-term seasonal roles such as meat and seafood processing, calf-rearing, and wool handling. Applicants must have at least one season of relevant experience and take a four-month break before renewal. For visas over three months, there will be a new requirement for insurance with health coverage.

Employer responsibilities

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 visas are designed to reflect the realities of seasonal work and the diverse range of skill levels involved. They’ll help fill critical roles in industries where employers struggle to find enough New Zealand workers at peak times. From ski instructors guiding first-timers down the slopes to winemakers helping create next year’s vintage, these visas are designed to keep seasonal industries humming.”

These changes are part of the governments plan to deliver smart, flexible and nuanced immigration solutions to help grow our economy