On the one hand a new South Island Contribution work visa allowed dairy workers caught up in a false document scandal to stay, provided they met certain criteria.
But other changes making residence more difficult were prompting some Filipino farm workers to look for work overseas.
North Island Filipino Farmer’s Association president Julius Gaoing said given the residence changes the special South Island visa gave those workers an advantage over dairy farm workers in the North Island.
“Some people are thinking of moving to other countries because of the residence changes.”
In April Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse announced changes to migrant settings, introducing remuneration bands to determine the skill level of an essential skills visa holder.
He also introduced a maximum duration of three years for lower-skilled and lower-paid essential skills visa holders, after which they must leave the country for a minimum period.
While acknowledging the new visa would benefit those in the South Island, Gaoing said those working on North Island dairy farms missed out.
Lane Neave Immigration partner Mark Williams said changes to the skilled migrant category were positive for South Island migrants working in a range of occupations and provided a path to residence for low or mid level skilled farm workers.
“They have made a massive contribution to the South Island, especially the rural sector, and are deservedly being recognised for that contribution.”
“However, like a lot immigration policies it is not simple to interpret and there are a lot of fish hooks to navigate,” Williams said.
The change would benefit migrant workers and their families who had lived in the South Island for more than five years and worked on an essential skills work visa but who had not been able to qualify for residence under the skilled migrant category.
To qualify under the new policy candidates must meet the eligibility criteria, including being 55 years or younger and meeting health and character requirements.
Williams said there was some flexibility around the length of time requirement but he described the policy as a “massive win for employers and migrant employees in the South Island”.
The policy allowed a visa holder’s partner and dependent children aged under 20 to be included in the application.
Federated Farmers board member Andrew Hoggard also questioned why it applied only to South Island workers, saying it made shifting jobs difficult.
But given the tight labour market, farmers welcomed the security it provided for their staff.
Hoggard spoke to a Southland dairy farmer seeking staff who said it was very difficult to find anyone.
“The only people applying are migrants, which shows this is definitely needed.”
