Bridging the gap with rural New Zealand
OPINION: One thing I keep hearing from rural New Zealanders is the importance of relationships. Strong relationships don’t just happen - they take trust, consistency, and time.
Under the new government arrangement the number of international workers allowed into New Zealand under the 2022 dairy class exception visa will increase from 300 to 800. This is in addition to the 2021 dairy class exception visa which allowed 200 international workers to enter the country.
DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle says his organisation has been working hard to make sure the Government understands the huge pressure farmers are under, due to workforce shortages;.
He says the sustained advocacy from the dairy sector has helped spur the Government actions.
"DairyNZ has pushed for 1,500 international dairy workers to be allowed into the country in time for the 2022 dairy season on 1 June. We made it clear to Government that the 300 dairy border class exception workers previously approved was nowhere near enough to meet the demands on-farm and reduce the current high levels of farmer stress," he says.
Mackle says the Government's decision to increase the number of international workers by 500 is a step in the right direction to reducde the pressure on farm teams. He says DairyNZ will continue to advocate for more to be allowed into New Zealand to help address the significant staff shortage.
