NZ boosts international dairy worker intake

New Zealand's dairy industry organisation, DairyNZ, has reacted positively to the announcement that hundreds of extra dairy workers will be able to enter the country but expressed that the number still needs to be higher in order to address worker shortages.

Previously only 300 international dairy workers had been approved to enter New Zealand to address worker shortages in the sector this year. But after some advocacy from DairyNZ to increase the number to 1500, the government has now agreed to allow 800 international workers under the 2022 dairy class exception visa. This is in addition to the 2021 dairy class exception visa which allowed 200 international workers to enter the country.

“The government’s decision to increase the number of international workers by 500 is a step in the right direction to reduce the pressure on farm teams. We will continue to advocate for more to be allowed into New Zealand, to help address the significant staff shortage,” said DairyNZ Chief Executive Dr Tim Mackle.

It is estimated that the dairy industry in New Zealand is short by about 4000 workers and DairyNZ has launched a ‘Join Us’ campaign to attract local workers to dairy farms.

“We continue to encourage Kiwis to join our sector and farmers have been taking a range of steps to make dairy farming more attractive to staff; however, in such a tight labour market the contribution international staff make to keep farms running is critical.

“It’s now simpler for farmers to use the class exception process, so we hope to see farmers take up the opportunity.”

For more information, visit www.dairynz.co.nz/border.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Janice