Since the launch of the Recovery Visa to aid efforts following Cyclone Gabrielle and other recent weather events, the response from the government and employers has been positive in a time of uncertainty.
The short term visa, also known as a Specific Work Purpose Visa, is a much needed necessity to help recovery and rebuild infrastructure that has contributed to loss of business.
Working In New Zealand director Scott Mathieson says having the requirements for the visa significantly reduced, including a refunded fee to success applicants and faster processing time makes a difference too.
He says while there are still issues like accommodation shortages to deal with, especially in places heavily affected, like Gisborne, there has still been great engagement and demand.
“Employers are seeing it as a great opportunity to bring some real skills to the effort and be involved in the clean up, which has a lot of positive motivation around that.”
“Overall, this is really encouraging and from our perspective, we want people to come to New Zealand, not to go elsewhere just because of skill shortages.”
