Net migration to New Zealand hit a near record high in 2023 after a new temporary work visa was introduced after the pandemic

Net migration to New Zealand hit a near record high in 2023 after a new temporary work visa was introduced after the pandemic

New Zealand will tighten its visa rules for some migrants as the coalition government moves to overhaul the immigration system it says has led to “unsustainable” levels of migration.

Last year, annual net migration to New Zealand hit a near record high of more than 173,000 non-New Zealand citizens in the year to December, Stats NZ reported.

Immigration minister Erica Stanford announced on Sunday changes to the accredited employer worker visa (AEWV), the main temporary work visa, which was introduced in mid-2022 to help fill workforce shortages after the pandemic.

The government’s changes to the scheme would include introducing English-language requirements for low-skilled jobs and setting a minimum skills and work experience threshold for most employer work visas. The maximum continuous stay for most low-skilled roles will also be reduced to three years from five years.

  • HappycamperNZ@lemmy.worldEnglish
    113·
    8 months ago

    Shame, we are a tiny country with long logistics chains - population increase would significantly improve our economic prospects. We are proud of this country, but its empty, spread out and has the economic power of a medium sized overseas city.

    Also coming off record low unemployment that drove inflation through the roof.

  • Wanderer@lemm.eeEnglish
    3·
    8 months ago

    Good for new zealand for doing this.

    Too much emphasis on business intrests of high immigration to keep wages down and inflate house prices.

    High immigration from the third world is short term gains for long term costs.

  • AutoTL;DR@lemmings.worldBEnglish
    1·
    8 months ago

    This is the best summary I could come up with:

    New Zealand will tighten its visa rules for some migrants as the coalition government moves to overhaul the immigration system it says has led to “unsustainable” levels of migration.

    New Zealand, which has a population of about 5.1 million, has seen a rapid growth in migrant numbers since the end of the pandemic, raising concerns last year that it was fanning inflation.

    A Reserve Bank-commissioned report released last month into the possible links between migration levels and inflation was inconclusive.

    In February, the Public Service Commission released its review of the AEWV scheme, which former immigration minister Andrew Little ordered after complaints of exploitation.

    The commission found that a small number of “unscrupulous employers” targeted the scheme and took payments from people wanting to move to New Zealand.

    “By having an English-language requirement migrants will be better able to understand their rights or raise concerns about an employer early,” Stanford said.

    The original article contains 391 words, the summary contains 151 words. Saved 61%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!

    • protist@mander.xyzEnglish
      184·
      8 months ago

      New Zealand isn’t “locking down their borders,” where’d you come up with that? Having reasonable immigration restrictions is not racist, saying racist things about immigrants is racist.

    • ZK686@lemmy.worldEnglish
      923·
      8 months ago

      Word. If it was up to Lemmy and Reddit, we’d have open borders and a free for all…I swear the US is the only country on Earth where illegal immigration is so controversial.

      • alterforlett @lemmy.worldEnglish
        51·
        8 months ago

        Strange how you only reply to the comments echoing your beliefs and not the others calling your shit out. Nice new strawman by the way. Open border and free for all. Fucking moron, no one’s saying that except other trolls

        • ZK686@lemmy.worldEnglish
          14·
          8 months ago

          Bullshit. The minute anyone around here says anything about being strict on immigration/border, they’re called every name in the book. That’s why people like me don’t respond to others.

          • alterforlett @lemmy.worldEnglish
            1·
            8 months ago

            No. The reason you’re being downvoted is because of your ridiculous statements like open borders and free for all and the strange statement that the US is the only place where immigration is controversial. Ask someone from Greece or Italy about boat refugees, ask anyone from any country about immigration, it’s a continuous topic in any country where immigration is a thing. If you want to have an honest discussion that is.

            If you actually wanted to have an honest discussion you’d be truthful, but you’re not. Spouting exaggerated claims that are obviously wrong and stuff like democrats can do no wrong. Of course no one takes you seriously, you’re acting like a troll.