Podcasts about accredited employer work visa

Questions to Ministers JAMIE ARBUCKLE to the Minister for Rail: Does he stand by his statements and actions regarding Cook Strait ferries? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? LAURA McCLURE to the Associate Minister of Agriculture: What recent announcements has he made about positive health outcomes for pets? Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS to the Minister for Energy: Is he concerned that two international offshore wind investors have now withdrawn or paused their New Zealand projects, citing current Government policy as the reason; if not, why not? Dr VANESSA WEENINK to the Minister of Health: What recent announcements has he made on increasing penalties for illicit drug use? Hon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME to the Minister of Education: Does she stand by all her statements and actions? CARL BATES to the Minister of Immigration: What recent changes have been made to the Accredited Employer Work Visa to support businesses to access the skills and experience they need? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN to the Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology: Does he agree with the Science System Advisory Group's finding, "Note the critical importance of the science and innovation workforce, and that actions will be needed at multiple levels to develop and retain a high calibre workforce of researchers, scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs"; if so, why? Hon MARAMA DAVIDSON to the Prime Minister: E tautoko ana ia i nga korero me nga mahi katoa a tona Kawanatanga? Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? TIM VAN DE MOLEN to the Minister of State for Trade and Investment: What actions has the Government taken to support trade with South-east Asia? Hon PEENI HENARE to the Minister of Health: Is he committed to the same health outcomes for Maori as his immediate predecessor? DEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER to the Minister for Whanau Ora: How many audits and reviews has Whanau Ora failed since its establishment in 2010, if any?

Businesses hope to employ more migrants after changes to work visas. The Government's updating the Accredited Employer Work Visa in March, removing the median wage threshold and reducing minimum experience requirements for lower skill roles. They'll also reduce the minimum threshold for how many domestic workers must be employed. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's a step in the right direction. She says there are a lot of areas where businesses can't get the skills and experience they need, and the changes Stanford is making will be react welcomed. Rich says the median wage threshold was too high, and wound up being an artificial proxy for skill and experience. She says in some cases it resulted in offshore applicants being paid more than their Kiwi counterparts, creating a bit of friction. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government says changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa should make hiring migrants easier, and protect Kiwis in low-skilled jobs. Amendments from March include altering the median wage threshold - and reducing minimum experience requirements for lower-skilled roles. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says previous settings skewed the market, as low-skilled immigrant workers had to be paid the median wage. "Which is paying them more than the Kiwi standing next to them - and it's caused huge problems for employers, who've got their Kiwi workers living there doing the same job." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government says changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa should make hiring migrants easier, and protect Kiwis in low-skilled jobs. Amendments from March include altering the median wage threshold - and reducing minimum experience requirements for lower-skilled roles. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says previous settings skewed the market, as low-skilled immigrant workers had to be paid the median wage. "Which is paying them more than the Kiwi standing next to them - and it's caused huge problems for employers, who've got their Kiwi workers living there doing the same job." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Businesses hope to employ more migrants after changes to work visas. The Government's updating the Accredited Employer Work Visa in March, removing the median wage threshold and reducing minimum experience requirements for lower skill roles. They'll also reduce the minimum threshold for how many domestic workers must be employed. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's a step in the right direction. She says there are a lot of areas where businesses can't get the skills and experience they need, and the changes Stanford is making will be react welcomed. Rich says the median wage threshold was too high, and wound up being an artificial proxy for skill and experience. She says in some cases it resulted in offshore applicants being paid more than their Kiwi counterparts, creating a bit of friction. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a textEpisode 211 of Veterinary Voices, hosted by Julie South, features an in-depth conversation with Catherine Neazor Brady, a seasoned New Zealand licensed immigration consultant. Catherine and Julie look at the latest changes in New Zealand's immigration policies and their significant impact on the veterinary industry.Key Points Discussed:Immigration Processing Improvements:Immigration New Zealand has reorganised into operational centres, leading to faster processing times.Priority processing for skill level one jobs and Green List roles, including veterinarians.Job checks for priority categories now processed within weeks instead of months.Accredited Employer Work Visa Review:Ongoing review of the scheme with potential changes to wage requirements.Possible shift from median wage requirement to minimum wage plus a factor or market rate.Implications for veterinary nurse recruitment and retention.Partner Visa Changes:From 2 December 2024, Partnership Work Visas will become fully open with no conditions or pay requirements.This change makes it easier for partners of veterinary professionals to find work in New Zealand.Visa Application Fees and Processing:Discussion on the recent fee increase and its impact on application numbers.Insights into application approval rates and common issues causing delays.Single Parent Visa Applicants:Special wage threshold requirements for visa applicants with dependent children.Minimum annual earnings of $43,322.70 required to support dependents on a visa.This episode provides crucial information for veterinary practices considering hiring overseas qualified professionals looking to work in New Zealand. Discover how to navigate the complex immigration landscape, understand recent policy changes, and prepare for potential future developments in New Zealand's veterinary sector immigration policies.Catherine's previous episodesEpisode 203Episode 204Contemplating your next career move? Tania Bruce - VetStaff's passionate kiwi recruiter - would welcome the opportunity to have a 100% confidential chat with you. Tania's a former Ortho Head Vet Nurse so speaks your language!How to get more bang for your recruitment advertising buckThis is what VetStaff is really good at so if you'd like to stretch your recruitment dollar, please get in touch with Julie because this is something VetStaff can help you with. Committed to DIY-ing your own recruitment?If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic. The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs Revive Your Drive - daily 2-minute videos for veterinary employers and employees to help revive their drives at work and at home.

The Burke brothers – John and Rick – were named Cawthron Freshwater Champions at an awards ceremony in Wellington last week. The twins have spent almost 30 years turning their Kati Kati farm into an environmental exemplar. Rick told Bryan about their journey and the importance their catchment group had in helping them. Federated Farmers Southland president Jason Herrick also gives an update on how changes to immigration laws impact farmers. After initial reservations, he says the amendments to the Accredited Employer Work Visa are good for farmers, but only if the paperwork is done correctly.And, senior reporters Richard Rennie and Neal Wallace join Bryan to talk about Fonterra's latest milk price forecasts, the frustration at the slow progress of methane inhibitors through the regulatory system and the state of sheep and beef farmer finances.

Federated Farmers Southland president Jason Herrick gives an update on how changes to immigration laws impact farmers.After initial reservations, he says the amendments to the Accredited Employer Work Visa are good for farmers, but only if the paperwork is done correctly.

Ethnic communities say the proposed changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme is a positive step but more needs to be done. Immigration minister Erica Stanford announced the changes Sunday, including the introduction of an English-language requirement for migrants applying for low-skilled jobs and a shorter continuous stay. The measures seek to safeguard migrants from exploitation and manage net migration more sustainably, but ethnic communities have mixed feelings. RNZ Asia's Blessen Tom reports.

Civil Contractors New Zealand say changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa Scheme will hinder work to improve infrastructure across the country. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford announced the changes on Sunday, which look to safeguard migrants from being exploited. The measures include the introduction of an English language requirement for migrants applying for low-skilled jobs and a shorter continuous stay. Civil Contractors New Zealand Chief Executive Alan Pollard spoke to Corin Dann.

First up, the changes to immigration.   Guess what? High-trust models don't work when it comes to work visas. A stunning revelation to start the week. Credit where it's due, Radio New Zealand have been on to the story. They applied for information around the new immigration visas under the Official Information Act and found out that even after Immigration New Zealand was told of concerns over lax checks and migrants buying jobs for up to $50K on the open market, it took Immigration New Zealand three months to take any kind of action. Some workers were arriving into New Zealand expecting to find the streets paved with gold. Instead, they found they had no job. Meanwhile, dodgy agents and immigration consultancies were making a fortune, millions is estimated, from selling accredited employer work visas to people who didn't have the skills, didn't have any English, didn't have a clue, just knew that they wanted out of where they were at and into New Zealand - and in they came. Our net migrations soared. The annual net migration gain in 2023 was about the size of Taranaki. An entire province. It was made-up of a net gain of 173,000 non-New Zealand citizens, and a net loss of 47,000 New Zealand citizens in 2023. Now, some of these new New Zealanders will bring skills and a positive attitude that New Zealand sorely needs. They've always done so. You know from the very first settlers all the way through. People who make the shift to a new country bring with them an attitude and a determination to succeed. But many of these new migrants have arrived with no English, minimal skills, and they will struggle. Minister of Immigration Erica Stanford says the changes to immigration visas are necessary because the high trust model wasn't working. (Which any fool could have told you I'd imagine.) And it brings New Zealand into line with the immigration policies of other countries. She told Mike Hosking she doesn't believe the government is acting too soon in restricting immigration, and it's not acting for the wrong reasons.  “We've taken a really close look at this and I think the reasonable responsible thing to do is to recalibrate our  immigration settings to meet what the market is doing. We saw last year an extra 20,000 people went on the job seeker benefit while we brought in 52,000 very low skilled migrants. Now those numbers just don't add up and if you look at the work Louise Upson's doing in making sure that there are benefit sanctions for people to ensure that they are looking for work. It's my responsibility as Immigration Minister to make sure that that work is available for Kiwis first and foremost.”  Well, absolutely. That was Erica Stanford on with Mike Hosking on the Mike Hosking Breakfast this morning. He did make the point that Labour tried shutting the borders during Covid and relying on New Zealand labour to fill the gaps and that quickly became apparent that simply was not going to happen. Those who could work were working, and then there were those who simply could not or would not work. So, when it comes to the market at the moment - I mean remember the calls from desperate employers who were looking for somebody, anybody to take jobs around the country - can you now pick and choose when it comes to staff? Can you now pick and choose when it comes to people applying for jobs and filling the positions? I'm sure you'll remember the calls. There were people just screaming for anybody, anywhere to come to their particular town or city and do a job. They'd take anybody. Now, do employers have a bit more choice? They have a bit more wiggle room and a bit more leeway?  When you put out a situations-vacant, have you got people applying and now you have the luxury of choice? You're not as desperate as you once were. For those who are or have faced redundancy, has it been relatively easy to get into work with the skills you have, or are you finding you're competing with more than you imagined? We need skilled migrants. The whole Western world needs skilled migrants and I can't see that ending any time soon, but the last thing we want is to have people arrive in this country who have no idea where they are, they have no idea how to fit in, they have no prospect of enjoying any kind of life. Steve Braunias wrote a very, very moving insight into what it is like for migrants arriving here with no support, no English, no family. They can get jobs but it's an existence, it's not a life. ‘Life and Death in the Auckland Shadows' was the title of the piece he wrote for the New Zealand Herald. It's bloody tragic. And we do not want people arriving who are condemned to lives as basically subsistent slaves. That's not what we're about.  So, two stories, really, when you arrive in this country, is it easy enough for you to get the job you were promised to, to be able to assimilate, to have the land of milk and honey you were promised? For employers, do you support the changes to the immigration visas? Do you have the luxury of choice now, but more leeway when it comes to employing staff? And for those looking for work, is it easy enough if you have skills to find jobs or are you struggling in the market at the moment?   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says changes to a key work visa scheme will curb unsustainable levels of migration and cut down on exploitation. A raft of changes for the Accredited Employer Work Visa Scheme will take effect from Monday. Migrants applying for some roles will now need a minimum of English and employers will be required to engage with Work and Income for some roles. Stanford spoke to Corin Dann.

Immediate changes to Accredited Employer Work Visa come into effect today to address migrant exploitation and unsustainable net migration.  Changes include an English language requirement for low skilled jobs and a minimum skills threshold.  An extra 20,000 people went on the job seeker benefit in 2023, while 52,000 very low skilled workers were brought into the country. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford tells Mike Hosking the numbers don't add up.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday 8th April 2024, Mike discusses to the changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa rules with Immigration Minister, Erica Stanford. He also delves into the numbers showing police abandoned 60 percent of cases reported to them last last year. We've got a dishwasher story to end all dishwater stories for you!  Andrew Saville and Guy Heveldt are on the commentary box to cover the Warriors, Sam Whitelock, Noeline Taurua and the future of rugby in this country. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has brought in immediate changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa.   There will now be an English language requirement for low skilled jobs, while fast-tracking will be removed for construction and the franchisee category will be disestablished.  Owner and Principal Consultant at Into NZ Katy Armstrong tells Mike Hosking the Government was left with no choice but to make the changes as the high trust model did not work.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford makes immediate changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa, by introducing a minimum skills and work experience threshold, as well as introducing an English language requirement for migrants. Later, marketing professor Bodo Lang talks about about the triggering effects social media has on politics and democracy in this country, and how much political parties are spending on social media advertising. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A review into a new visa category that sparked more problems than it solved is scathing about Immigration NZ's processes and systems.

The Immigration Minister is looking to push forward with urgent changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme.  It follows the Public Service Commission review which found Immigration NZ had insufficient checks and balances to prevent migrant exploitation.  Erica Stanford told Mike Hosking that her Government can fix it, starting with urgent alterations to the work visa scheme itself.   She says they'll then take a long hard look at the process through an upcoming review.  But, Stanford adds, in the meantime she's taking a paper to Cabinet to bring back the teeth they used to have.  She adds the current high trust model means she can't push or pull immigration numbers.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Immigration New Zealand could have done more to minimise abuse of the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme. That admission from the country's top public servant in the wake of a critical independent review of the programme. Post COVID-19, the scheme made it easier for accredited employers to bring migrant workers into the country once the business was deemed a good employer and valid business. However, the Immigration Minister at the time, Andrew Little, was forced to launch a review after a whistle-blower alleged employer checks weren't being done. The review released today has found immigration bosses ignored staff concerns about the scheme. For a year, there was an increased risk of exploitation by unscrupulous agents and employers. 145 employers have now had their accreditation revoked and 53 have had their accreditation suspended. 174 active investigations on Accredited Employers underway. May Moncur, an employment law advocate speaks to Lisa Owen.

Immigration New Zealand has been criticised for ignoring concerns that its work visa scheme was allowing migrants to buy jobs and be exploited. The Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme was brought in after Covid-19 border closures led to a worker shortage. Since then, there have been countless stories about migrants being brought into the country, to find their jobs don't exist, and being forced to live in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. Now commentators say the policy needs to be fixed further or completely scrapped. Krystal Gibbens reports.

A review has found Immigration New Zealand didn't properly assess the risk of visa abuse when it loosened settings for its Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme. The scheme, launched 18 months ago as part of the then-Government's post-Covid settings, resulted in numerous cases of migrants paying to come here for jobs but arriving to overcrowded living conditions and little or no work. The Public Service Commission report also found staff at Immigration New Zealand raised concerns about migrants being exploited but say they were ignored. MBIE chief executive Carolyn Tremain spoke to Corin Dann.

Immigration New Zealand's boss says it's unacceptable staff concerns were ignored. The Public Service Commission's released its report on the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme, which began after a whistle-blower alerted the Minister to a lack of checks and balances. The review has found Immigration New Zealand should have done more to minimise migrant exploitation risk, when regulations loosened post-Covid. MBIE Chief Executive Carolyn Tremain says concerns were first raised internally last April. "What has occurred here is not good enough, and we're making sure that we have a two-way conversation with people about issues." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Abuse of the work visa scheme appears to have increased in recent times. RNZ is reporting nearly 200 employers have had their licence to hire migrants revoked or suspended as an investigation into migrant exploitation continues. NZ Immigration Law's Aaron Martin told Mike Hosking that in his experience, the situation has worsened since the Accredited Employer Work Visa system started. He says the way the system has run has allowed for people to game it and basically turn job offers into a commodity. The Government says it's working to address both visa scheme abuse and immigration processing issues. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An immigration lawyer says people are asking to buy job offers in New Zealand.   Newshub reports 10 young migrant workers claim they paid between $50-70,000 to Indian agents for the jobs, but were underpaid and made redundant just months in.   Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says she's seeking advice to further tighten settings for the Accredited Employer Work Visa.   Immigration lawyer Aaron Martin told Tim Dower that some people ask recruiters, immigration agents, and immigration lawyers here how much it will take to buy a job.   He says they spend a lot of time saying that's not legal in New Zealand and they won't deal with them, but there's clearly a group of employers who are tempted.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government's admitted it doesn't know how many migrants might have been scammed through its Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme. Hundreds of migrants have been crammed in homes, and are living in squalor after paying tens of thousands of dollars to come here, only to arrive to no job. The government's launched a review of the scheme, and in the mean time has offered support to those scammed and exploited. Adam Burns reports.

Help and support for exploited migrants will be delivered in a new Government scheme. The Government has confirmed a package of basic financial support, for accommodation and essential living costs. It plans to stop 90-day trial periods for employers using the Accredited Employer Work Visa. Immigration Minister Andrew Little says they're tightening the scheme meant to fill gaps by letting businesses employ offshore. "The vast majority of employers are doing exactly that, they're doing a good job. There is a small number, a very small minority who seem to have found an opportunity to scam others." Little says investigations into employers are underway. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's announced changes for migrant workers are being described as a soft cushion at the bottom of a cliff.   The package includes basic financial support to help with accommodation and essential living costs.  The Government also plans to remove 90-day trial periods for employers utilising the Accredited Employer Work Visa.  Employment lawyer Aaron Martin told Kate Hawkesby that the changes won't be much help at all, as most migrants arrive with no job.   He says the 90-day trial period isn't the problem, the problem is the Government's visa system.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A visa created to bring overseas workers in to help with the recovery in cyclone affected areas has received thousands of applications. But immigration advisors warn that the process is rife with worker exploitation. Their concerns come alongside revelations of dozens of migrants scammed out of thousands of dollars for the promise of work under the Accredited Employer Work Visa programme. Kate Green has the story.

A group of migrants scammed out of tens of thousands of dollars for the promise of work in New Zealand now have just three days before they have nowhere to live. Immigration New Zealand officials are investigating the exploitation of Indian and Bangladeshi migrants after 144 were found living in crammed and unsanitary conditions in across 10 houses in Auckland. They were able to come here thanks to the recently-introduced Accredited Employer Work Visa programme, but when they got here the agents they paid were nowhere to be seen, nor were they jobs they were promised. Our reporter Finn Blackwell and camera operator Marika Khabazi visited some of them. Immigration NZ says it is now providing funding and resources to support the Indian and Bangladeshi nationals.. Compliance and Investigations General Manager Steve Watson, says an interim package includes $220 each a week in living cost support payments. Further support includes providing individual information packs for each migrant detailing their visa options if they want to stay in New Zealand. MSD is providing multiple job opportunity workshops The Ministry for Ethnic Communities is helping provide mental health support. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6336783622112

A scheme introduced by the Government last year meant to end the abuse and exploitation of migrants instead seems to have done quite the opposite.  Multiple stories have emerged in recent weeks about migrants, brought here under the Accredited Employer Work Visa, ending up crammed in their dozens inside unsanitary houses, with many now facing eviction with nowhere to go.  So how is ir that this one visa change could spark dozens of investigations, and what needs to be done to fix this blooming scandal?   Today on The Front Page, Damien is joined by NZ Herald journalist Lincoln Tan who offers insight on an immigration controversy that is only set to get worse.   Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Damien VentutoProducer: Paddy FoxExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme is under scrutiny again.  Immigration NZ is already facing criticism over speculation that appropriate migrant visa checks aren't being conducted, while migrant exploitation rates increase.     Recruitment marketing agency Talent Propeller's Managing Director Sharon Davies told Mike Hosking that the programme is a mess, with smaller business unable to access it.  She says most don't even try to use it due to how long it takes, the costs, and the uncertainty around achieving accreditation.   Davies says the Government went ahead with the scheme to make money, without considering the implications on businesses.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Immigration New Zealand is looking into nearly 200 employers as it runs a ruler over its problem-plagued Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme. Hundreds of workers have paid tens of thousands of dollars to come to New Zealand for jobs that don't exist when they land. Immigration New Zealand has received more than 750 complaints against employers. So far, seven have had their accreditation revoked and 11 have had theirs suspended. Another 63 are under assessment.. Last week, 115 migrants workers from Bangladesh and India were found living in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions without food in six houses across Auckland. National's Immigration spokesperson Erica Stanford speaks to Susana Lei'ataua. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6336557330112

Advocates for migrant workers are alarmed as more and more people come to them for help, because the jobs they've been promised haven't eventuated.

Those who've been warning the government about shortcomings with its Accredited Employer Work Visa say it shouldn't have taken a whistleblower to spring it into action. The Immigration Minister has ordered an independent review into whether the scheme is working as it's supposed to, after an internal whistleblower tipped him off that checks on employers weren't being carried out properly, leaving migrant workers vulnerable to exploitation. Political reporter Giles Dexter has more.

Immigration is now under investigation, after claims employers wanting to hire migrant workers under the Accredited Employer scheme aren't being checked properly. The Immigration Minister, Andrew Little, has asked the Public Service Commission will review the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme. A whistleblower sent an anonymous email to Little on Tuesday night, after weeks of reporting by RNZ and other news organisations about migrant workers being exploited through the scheme. Immigration declined to be interviewed, but says it supports a review. Little spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Questions to Ministers CHRISTOPHER LUXON to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? HELEN WHITE to the Minister for Sport and Recreation: What has been the impact on New Zealand of co-hosting the FIFA Women's World Cup? Hon EUGENIE SAGE to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries: Does she agree with the statement in the State of our Gulf 2023 report, "recent events have underscored the precarious nature of the situation and the ecological tipping points we seem intent on testing"; if so, does she consider that the Hauraki Gulf Fisheries Plan is an adequate response to the situation? SORAYA PEKE-MASON to the Minister of Health: What has the Government done to support the health workforce? NICOLA WILLIS to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by all of his statements and actions related to Government tax and spending decisions? INGRID LEARY to the Associate Minister of Finance: What is the Government doing to ban foreign buyers from the New Zealand residential property market? ERICA STANFORD to the Minister of Immigration: What percentage of all accredited businesses have had a post-accreditation check completed since the Accredited Employer Work Visa was introduced, and what percentage of Accredited Employer Work Visas logged with Immigration New Zealand have had a verification check completed since applications opened? VANUSHI WALTERS to the Minister of Police: What updates has she seen about the Police's use of laws to target gangs and organised crime? SIMEON BROWN to the Minister for Pacific Peoples: Is she confident that taxpayers' money is being spent appropriately at the Ministry for Pacific Peoples? ANNA LORCK to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: What recent evidence has he seen that the Commerce Commission is acting in line with the Government's expectations? MARK CAMERON to the Minister of Agriculture: What advice, if any, has he requested from his officials about the Global Dairy Trade Price Index falling by 7.4 percent overnight, and what impact does he expect this price fall will have on New Zealand's economy? Hon MARK MITCHELL to the Minister of Police: Does she stand by her statement, "It is my view that New Zealanders feel safer"; if so, why?

Advocates are calling for a pause to the government's accredited employer work visa scheme after hundreds of migrant workers were left jobless and out of pocket. Migrant workers are often fired within days or weeks of employment after paying agents thousands of dollars to arrange a work visa. Lucy Xia reports.

Immigration NZ is investigating concerns some businesses with accredited employer status are exploiting migrant workers. RNZ reported on the cases of dozens of chinese migrant workers left jobless and out of pocket after paying thouand of dollars for work visa , only to be dismissed by their employer shortly after arriving. Most have come to Aotearoa on the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme. That's a fast track programme that allows companies to apply for accreditation as long as they meet certain criteria including being financially sound and having a history of complying with immigratiomn and employment law. Immigration New Zealand's general manager Richard Owen talks to Lisa Owen. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6330552234112

The government this morning has announced changes to immigration settings to help streamline the path for skilled workers to residency. The changes include a removal of the cap on skilled migrants, a simplified points system to straighten out eligibility, and an extension to the Accredited Employer Work Visa from three years to five years. Immigration minister Michael Wood says migrants will have a faster route to residency, and others will have a clear route if they work for a period in New Zealand. He says changes will address a long-standing issue where some people with no pathway to residency were given false hope. The Minister spoke to Morning Report.

Dozens of Chinese migrant workers have been left jobless and destitute after paying thousands of dollars for work visas - only to be left with no work or dismissed by their employer shortly after they arrive. Others claim the jobs were fake and they didn't get a single day of work. Most of them have come into the country on the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme. Our reporter Lucy Xia has the story.

National is promising to end what it calls 'Labour's war on the farming sector'. It's announcing policy this morning promising to double the RSE worker cap to 38,000 people, and create a path to residency through the Accredited Employer Work Visa. It will also remove two agriculture regulations for every new one introduced, under a new 'two for one' rule. Leader Chris Luxon told Tim Dower foreign investment in farms to convert to forestry for carbon farming would also be banned. He says the practice permanently alters the land and leaves those farms unavailable for young farmers to buy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The median wage for migrant workers has increased further, sparking concerns. The Accredited Employer Work Visa kicked in today and sees workers paid nearly $30 dollars an hour. OneStaff Chief Executive Jon Ives says this increase isn't fair for New Zealanders and it may not have been thought out properly. Jon Ives says this wage increase will have a knock-on effect that contributes to wage inflation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The median wage for migrant workers has increased further, sparking concerns. The Accredited Employer Work Visa kicked in today and sees workers paid nearly $30 dollars an hour. OneStaff Chief Executive Jon Ives says this increase isn't fair for New Zealanders and it may not have been thought out properly. Jon Ives says this wage increase will have a knock-on effect that contributes to wage inflation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hopes changes to chef recruitment rules will help alleviate a 30,000 hospitality worker shortage. Following industry concerns, the Government's removing the qualification requirement for chefs being hired through the Accredited Employer Work Visa. The tourism and hospitality median wage exception has also been extended for another year. Hospitality New Zealand Chief Executive, Julie White told Kate Hawkesby she's optimistic the changes will be felt in time for this summer. She said they really need Immigration to double down and process the visas of incoming chefs quickly.  "We are in desperate need. We have a critical staff shortage."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions to Ministers CHRIS BAILLIE to the Minister of Police: Does he agree with the Prime Minister's statement, made on Tuesday, that "Police do keep a tally of ram raids in different regions"; if so, how many ram raids have been recorded over the past three months? NICOLA WILLIS to the Minister of Finance: Did he receive any advice from Treasury about potential for increased inflationary pressures from Government spending decisions made in Budget 2022; if so, on what occasions, if any, did he choose to spend more on initiatives than Treasury advised? BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy? Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH to the Minister of Justice: Does she stand by all her statements and actions? ANNA LORCK to the Minister of Forestry: What recent announcements has he made about transforming the forestry and wood processing sector? ERICA STANFORD to the Minister of Immigration: How many nurses have applied for the Accredited Employer Work Visa, and how many of those nurses applied from offshore? WILLOW-JEAN PRIME to the Minister of Research, Science and Innovation: What recent announcements has she made regarding the Research and Development Tax Incentive? RICARDO MENÉNDEZ MARCH to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Does she stand by the application of sanctions to people who receive the jobseeker-health condition and disability benefit for "failing to prepare for work"; if so, what is the purpose of these sanctions? ANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI to the Minister for Pacific Peoples: What recent work has the Government done to grow Pacific employment? SIMON WATTS to the Minister of Local Government: Does she agree with Central Hawke's Bay Mayor Alex Walker, who described her Three Waters reform process as "unempowering for our communities", and does she believe communities have been adequately consulted in her proposed Three Waters reforms? KAREN CHHOUR to the Minister for Children: Does he have confidence in this Government's ability to protect and support vulnerable children, and what lessons, if any, have been learnt from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care to date? IBRAHIM OMER to the Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control: What outcomes does he want to be achieved when the Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons concludes this week?

Just one Accredited Employer Work Visa has been processed in the month since the category opened. The National Party has got hold of a leaked Immigration New Zealand paper, and the Party's calling the log-jam disastrous. Applicants must submit a job-check to obtain the visa - showing the employer couldn't fill the role with a New Zealand worker. Since job-checks opened six weeks ago, three-thousand-321 have been submitted, but just 817 approved. Managing Director of Building Recruitment, Kevin Everett joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Immigration Minister is talking up shorter visa processing times. The Government's announced a raft of immigration changes – including speedy pathways to residency for highly skilled workers, and the border fully re-opening from August. Kris Faafoi says the system is moving from paper-based to online. He told Heather du Plessis-Allan the Accredited Employer Work Visa should only take about 30 days. “From the employer doing the job check and us doing the migrant check, that is vastly an improvement on the previous regime which is about 50 or 60 days.” LISTEN ABOVE 

  DR SHANE RETI to the Minister of Health: What is the latest estimate for the total cost of the health system restructure, and what risks, if any, have been identified that could delay the new system being established by July next year? BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy? Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE to the Minister for the Public Service: What is the estimated average increase in public sector pay, excluding step-based progressions, built into the Estimates of Appropriations in Budget 2021? ANGELA ROBERTS to the Minister of Education: What steps is the Government taking to address historical imbalances in funding for vocational education and training? BROOKE VAN VELDEN to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by his statement, “I don't buy into extremist rhetoric”, in relation to comments from Patient Voice Aotearoa on Pharmac funding? RACHEL BROOKING to the Minister for the Environment: What changes is the Government making to the resource management system? RICARDO MENÉNDEZ MARCH to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Does she stand by her statement, “I'm not going to pretend that living on $315 is easy”; if so, what further steps is she going to take to ensure everybody can live with dignity? MATT DOOCEY to the Minister of Health: What proportion of the mental health funding announced in Budget 2019 that was supposed to be spent by year two has been spent, and what measurable difference, if any, has this made to the mental health of New Zealanders? RACHEL BOYACK to the Minister of Local Government: What recent reports has she seen about water infrastructure in New Zealand? Dr JAMES MCDOWALL to the Minister of Immigration: Does he stand by all policy decisions made in relation to the new Accredited Employer Work Visa; if so, is he confident that the new visa will improve the immigration system? SIMEON BROWN to the Minister of Police: Will Budget 2021 help reduce gang membership and violence; if so, how? WILLOW-JEAN PRIME to the Acting Minister for Emergency Management: How does Budget 2021 help ensure our emergency management systems are geared towards an inclusive, community-led response to natural disasters and health events?

In this episode of LawCast, we discuss the new work changes and the Accredited Employer Work Visa and what this means for migrant employees in New Zealand. We discuss the technical changes as well as the practical impact this will have for migrants in their day to day lives.

In this episode of LawCast, we discuss the new work changes and the Accredited Employer Work Visa and what this means for employers of migrant workers in New Zealand. We discuss the technical changes as well as the practical impact this will have for employers in their day to day lives.