The announcement of two new seasonal visas has been an encouraging sign for the local wine industry, especially for gaining skilled workers.
New Zealand Winegrowers welcomes the two new seasonal workforce visas announced by the government.
The new Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) will provide longer-term certainty for wineries, so that they can access the experienced seasonal international workers they need for the annual wine vintage.
“Each year our wineries need to lift the capacity of their workforce for a short period of time during vintage. Our first priority is to employ New Zealanders but there is always a gap which we need to fill from offshore. Seasonal workers support over 7,000 full-time wine industry jobs that are held by New Zealanders,” said New Zealand Winegrowers CEO Philip Gregan.
“Without these international staff the wine industry would not be able to manage the winemaking process of all the grapes from more than 42,000 hectares of vineyards across New Zealand".
The creation of the GWSV pathway recognises the importance of experienced international workers filling short-term peak seasonal roles. The three-year visa term offers flexibility for workers and wineries, allowing return entry on one visa.
"We also welcome the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV), which will allow single entry for up to seven months for winery cellar hands. We thank the Minister for listening to industry and particularly for the recognition of the new role of Winery Senior Cellar Hand. We look forward to receiving more details on the operational requirements for each visa, so we can support our members”.
“We know the success of our seasonal industries is critical to growing the economy. These new visas will make it easier for employers to bring back experienced seasonal workers and to fill short-term roles that are hard to fully staff locally,” Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said.
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 wine makers helping create next year’s vintage, these visas are designed to keep seasonal industries humming.”
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