ACT has proposed a new Rural Workforce Visa designed to provide farmers and other rural employers with a stable, year-round supply of migrant workers, arguing current immigration settings are failing to meet persistent labour shortages in the primary sector.
The policy would create a standalone three-year visa tied specifically to rural industries such as dairy, sheep and beef farming, and general farm work, alongside a residence pathway after six years.
It would also allow workers to move between accredited rural employers but prevent them from shifting into non-rural sectors.
Today's announcement added to ACT's immigration policies, including proposing a $6 daily surcharge on temporary migrants, an overstayer enforcement unit and new English language requirements for some visa holders.
ACT agriculture spokesperson Andrew Hoggard said New Zealand farms were struggling to find "capable workers" to do the job, with operators "held back by a chronic labour shortage that the current immigration system simply isn't equipped to solve".
He said rural communities faced different pressures than urban centres and argued policy settings should reflect this.
"In many communities, the problem isn’t too many people arriving, it’s not enough workers being available."
The Government had introduced the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa and Peak Seasonal Visa, two initiatives Hoggard said had helped meet seasonal demand but did not address year-round roles.
"Labour shortages don't just make it harder to run farms. They also make it harder to keep productive land in farming at a time when many rural communities are already under pressure from the expansion of forestry."
ACT would also add a new agricultural stream to the Work to Residence Visa, allowing for a clear residence pathway.
"Workers who have held an RWV for 72 cumulative months (six years) with an accredited employer, and who meet standard requirements, will become eligible for residence."
SHARE ME