Calls to make overseas hiring simpler

Central Otago business owners are calling for simpler processes for getting migrant workers into employment in the regions.

Last week, National MP Hamish Walker called for central government action as pressure builds in Queenstown's hospitality industry.

The strain was also being felt in parts of Central Otago, where securing staff in rural areas had been difficult and dealings with Immigration New Zealand (INZ) had been lengthy.

Omakau auto repairer Tony Herbert had to pay nearly $20,000 over the past two years to secure two extra mechanics from South Africa. The costs were for an INZ employer accreditation, employment agency fees and immigration advisory fees.

Accredited employers are pre-approved through INZ where "skilled or talented workers'' are required from overseas.

INZ prompted the MTA-approved business for a rundown of advertising campaigns, workplace diversity policies and HR practices.

Mr Herbert secured accreditation last week for a two-year period after he provided 113 pages of business documentation. His immigration lawyer highlighted the business was "not in a large city'' but in a "small rural community in Central Otago with a population of around 300'' during correspondence with INZ.

"Where I get frustrated is that on application they don't understand the country areas in the South Island struggle for skilled staff.''

The South African pair were now working through a residency application.

Omakau dairy farmer Dee du Plessis, who has five employees from the Philippines on temporary work visas, said it was difficult to get overseas staff into the country.

"We had to spend a lot of money to get them over here and after three years they have to go,'' he said.

"We're forced to go down that road because we can't find anyone in New Zealand who wants to do the job.''

Other businesses in the area had opted for staff incentives.

Earlier this year, GWD Toyota in Alexandra put a call out for technicians that included a $1000 hiring bonus.

INZ manager Michael Carley said the agency had recruited more staff, which would increase output and timeliness, but did not address regional concerns moving forward.

"INZ is implementing a new operating model to consolidate and align visa processing by visa type. This new model is more responsive to market conditions and risk,'' he said.