An extension to the length of time Chinese nationals on a working holiday can work for one employer is being welcomed in New Zealand's tourism capital.
Less than three weeks after Queenstown tourism operators slammed immigration red tape at a Tourism Industry Association (Tia) summit, Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key has announced Chinese workers can stay with the same employer for up to six months instead of three.
Tia hotel sector regional chairwoman Penny Clark said all operators wanting to employ Chinese nationals would be ''thrilled''.
Operators would get a better return on the training they provided, while workers would earn more as their skills and experience increased.
''It's a win-win for everyone,'' Ms Clark said.
The change was a ''step forward'', but other issues remained that needed to be resolved through discussions between Tia and Immigration New Zealand.
Tia chief executive Chris Roberts said workers with Chinese language skills were highly sought after by tourism operators, and the three-month restriction was a ''significant source of frustration'' for them.
''Chinese visitors will have a better experience, encouraging them to stay longer and spend more, and then spread the word about New Zealand as a friendly, welcoming destination when they return home.''
Mr Roberts also welcomed the announcement of more streamlined processing of visas for high value, low-risk Chinese visitors.
The change would make New Zealand more internationally competitive for the China visitor market, which was now the second biggest source of visitors after Australia.
Spending by Chinese visitors is forecast to more than double to $1.7 billion by 2020.
