New Zealand ready to welcome thousands of working holiday makers for summer

Thousands of international working holiday makers have been granted new visas and are set to bring key skills to the New Zealand economy over the next three months.

Advising on Monday that the New Zealand Government has taken action to extend the visas of offshore working holiday makers, Immigration Minister Michael Wood announced “all the new visa holders will have open work rights, can work in New Zealand for 12 months with multiple entry rights and must be in New Zealand by 31st January 2023.

"Our government recognises the crucial part working holiday visa holders’ play in the New Zealand economy. We need their skills here to meet demand in industries like tourism, hospitality, agriculture, horticulture.

"We are doing everything we can to make New Zealand an attractive place to visit and work in an internationally competitive market for labour.

"Our move to give these working holiday makers new visas comes after we have extended visas by six months for working holiday holders who are already in New Zealand.

"We’ve also doubled the Working Holiday Scheme caps with a one-off increase to recognise the spots that were unused last year due to the border restrictions.

"Take-up for the new spots has been swift with many schemes filling up only hours after opening.

"The working holiday scheme changes are part of our plan for re-opening the country. The quick and positive response we are getting from visa holders and those who are applying for visas show that people want to come here.

"New Zealand has a lot to offer and I know that businesses in key sectors will welcome these workers warmly.”

Over 34,200 working holiday visa applications have been approved, with 14,400 visa holders arriving in New Zealand since borders reopened.