Hospitality industry left out of new seasonal work visas

The Restaurant Association has expressed disappointment at the Government’s announcement regarding the new seasonal visa pathways, noting that the hospitality sector has been largely excluded, leaving the industry to contend with ongoing workforce shortages during the critical summer season

“While we acknowledge the introduction of these visas as an important step for some industries, it is troubling that the hospitality sector has been largely excluded from these provisions,” says CEO Marisa Bidois.

“Our industry has been advocating for solutions to address critical workforce shortages, and the exclusion of roles within hospitality from these seasonal visa pathways, particularly as the country enters the busy summer trading period, is concerning. The lack of recognition for the diverse needs of the hospitality sector highlights the ongoing challenges we face in recruiting and retaining skilled staff.

“We are particularly disappointed that the new visas, scheduled for launch on November 1^st, will now not be available until December 8 adding further uncertainty to our industry’s planning for the peak summer season.

“The Restaurant Association has raised immigration policy settings as a top concern for members in recent years. We have been actively engaged with officials to review our workforce needs and priorities within the immigration system. Despite these efforts, we are yet to see meaningful progress on addressing key issues that directly impact our businesses, including the upcoming expiration of several key visas and the broader policy review.

“While we understand that the new visa pathways are designed to support certain industries we urge the Government to give equal attention to the workforce needs of the hospitality industry. Many of our businesses rely on a seasonal workforce to meet customer demand, especially during summer, and are facing significant challenges in filling these roles with local workers.

“In light of this announcement, we would like to see Immigration New Zealand expedite the review of the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme, particularly with respect to the tiered accreditation system, which remains under review. We would also like to see an update on the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa and clarity around the consultation process for the Skilled Migrant Category review.

“We remain committed to collaborating with the Government to ensure that the hospitality industry’s workforce needs are addressed. In the meantime, we will continue to advocate for immigration policies that allow businesses to thrive while prioritising job opportunities for New Zealanders.”