New Zealand is implementing stricter visa regulations in response to soaring migration levels that the government deems unsustainable.
The surge in migration, particularly after the introduction of a new temporary work visa post-pandemic, has prompted these changes.
Last year, annual net migration to New Zealand hit a near record high of more than 173,000 non-New Zealand citizens in the year to December, Stats NZ reported.
According to Stats NZ, 8,700 South African citizens arrived in the country over a year period ended in January 2024, the fourth most by country, below India, the Philippines, China and Fiji. Migrant arrivals totalled 257,200, up 91%.
Citizens of India, Philippines, China, and South Africa drove net migration gains in the March 2023 year, with 6,777 South Africans moving to the antipodean country.
The government aims to reform the immigration system, focusing on the accredited employer worker visa (AEWV), which was initiated in 2022 to address workforce shortages.
The adjustments include imposing English proficiency requirements for low-skilled positions and establishing minimum thresholds for skills and work experience in most employer-sponsored visas.
Additionally, the maximum duration for many low-skilled roles will be reduced from five to three years.
These modifications, effective immediately, prioritise attracting and retaining highly skilled migrants while ensuring that New Zealanders are given priority for jobs without shortages.
New Zealand's population of approximately 5.1 million has experienced a rapid increase in migrant numbers post-pandemic, raising concerns about inflation. However, a recent report commissioned by the Reserve Bank investigating the correlation between migration and inflation yielded inconclusive results.
These changes also aim to mitigate the exploitation vulnerability of migrants. A review conducted by the Public Service Commission highlighted issues of exploitation within the AEWV scheme, leading to the implementation of measures such as English-language proficiency requirements to empower migrants to understand their rights and raise concerns about employers.
“The government is focused on attracting and retaining the highly skilled migrants such as secondary teachers, where there is a skill shortage,” said Immigration minister Erica Stanford in a statement. “At the same time we need to ensure that New Zealanders are put to the front of the line for jobs where there are no skills shortages."
The government has abandoned plans to add 11 new roles to the Green List, which comprises highly skilled positions difficult to fill, including welders and fitters and turners.
Similarly, Australia, facing a significant influx of migrants, has announced plans to reduce its migrant intake by half over the next two years.
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