New Zealand Launches Two Seasonal Visa Pathways to Tackle Labour Shortages

In a bid to safeguard the country’s seasonal industries and sustain economic momentum, the New Zealand government has unveiled two new visa pathways designed to help businesses access skilled workers during peak demand periods while keeping job opportunities for locals a top priority.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said the move reflects the government’s commitment to balancing economic needs with workforce protection. “The success of New Zealand’s seasonal industries is vital to our economic growth. These new visas will make it easier to bring back experienced workers while ensuring New Zealanders are given the first opportunity to fill roles,” she noted.

Also Read- Air New Zealand Names Nikhil Ravishankar as Next CEO

Meeting Critical Labour Needs

Industries such as agriculture, winemaking, tourism and rural contracting rely heavily on short-term skilled workers. The new Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) and Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) aim to provide a flexible framework for employers to fill specialised and temporary roles that are often hard to staff locally.

Global Workforce Seasonal Visa

The GWSV targets highly experienced seasonal workers in sectors like rural contracting, sheep scanning, winemaking and snow instruction. Valid for up to three years, it allows visa holders to return for subsequent seasons, provided they spend at least three months outside New Zealand every 12 months. This safeguard prevents long-term dependency on foreign workers while maintaining a pool of specialised talent.

The PSV (Peak seasonal Visa) is designed for short-term, lower-skill seasonal roles such as meat and seafood processing, calf-rearing and wool handling. Valid for up to seven months, it requires applicants to have at least one season of relevant experience. Holders must leave the country for at least four months before reapplying. For stays over three months, new health insurance requirements will ensure worker protection during their time in New Zealand.

Protecting Local Jobs

Employers must advertise all seasonal roles domestically and work with Work and Income New Zealand to confirm no suitable local candidates are available before hiring from abroad. This ensures that while industries can fill urgent labour gaps, opportunities for New Zealand workers are not overlooked.

Boosting the Economy and Workforce

Seasonal industries contribute billions to New Zealand’s GDP, particularly in peak tourism and agricultural periods. Labour shortages have long been a bottleneck for productivity and growth. The new visas are expected to ease these pressures, enabling industries to operate efficiently without compromising quality.

The government is also pairing this initiative with skills training programmes to prepare locals for seasonal work in sectors like hospitality, agriculture and tourism, building a more adaptable domestic workforce over time.

Long-Term Strategy

The GWSV and PSV are part of a broader economic resilience plan that balances targeted immigration with local workforce development. By plugging immediate labour gaps and simultaneously nurturing homegrown talent, New Zealand hopes to secure its competitive edge in key seasonal industries.

“These measures will keep our industries running smoothly during peak periods, while creating opportunities for New Zealanders to gain skills and experience,” said Stanford.

If implemented successfully, the pathways could generate thousands of jobs, diversify the workforce and maintain New Zealand’s reputation as a reliable global player in agriculture, tourism and specialised seasonal services.