In response to escalating concerns surrounding the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), Immigration Minister Erica Stanford is taking swift action, intending to present a robust set of proposals for immediate changes to the Cabinet within the next few weeks. The urgency underlying these proposed adjustments is rooted in a dual objective: attracting highly skilled workers to New Zealand while ensuring the provision of a resilient infrastructure to support their integration into the workforce.

Critics, particularly from the Green Party, are advocating for a more immediate and decisive approach by delinking the visa from specific employers. Their argument posits that such a move would not only act as a safeguard against potential exploitation of migrants but also foster a more equitable and flexible system that aligns with contemporary workforce dynamics. However, Stanford remains cautious, emphasizing that while a broader overhaul of the AEWV scheme is under consideration, no definitive decisions have been reached by the government at this juncture.
The urgency of the situation is underscored by a recent and comprehensive review conducted by the Public Service Commission on the AEWV scheme. The findings revealed a host of concerning issues that have permeated the visa program. Migrants, exploiting loopholes within the system, were reported to be essentially buying jobs, only to find themselves subjected to exploitation upon arrival. Disturbingly, instances were highlighted where workers found themselves unpaid, and employers who did not meet the necessary criteria were granted accreditation.

Originally introduced in 2022 by the previous Labour government as a strategic response to the worker shortage induced by Covid-19 border closures, the AEWV scheme had set out with the noble goal of curbing migrant exploitation. However, as Labour leader Chris Hipkins conceded in a candid statement on Wednesday, the implementation of the scheme had the unintended consequence of exacerbating the existing problems rather than mitigating them.
The catalyst for the comprehensive review was a whistleblower who alleged serious lapses in Immigration NZ’s procedures, asserting that proper checks were not being conducted. Stanford, acknowledging the shortcomings exposed by the review, underscores the need to prioritize the concerns raised by frontline workers. Expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of attention given to these concerns, she has made it unequivocally clear that Immigration New Zealand must reevaluate its processes and actively engage with the insights provided by its frontline staff moving forward.
Blaming Labour’s approach, Stanford characterizes the situation as a “perfect storm” with the introduction of a new visa, coinciding with border openings, the implementation of a new IT system, and the influx of new staff. Despite these considerable challenges, Stanford remains resolute in her commitment to implementing changes to the AEWV scheme in a staged manner. This approach involves addressing immediate concerns while simultaneously conducting a more comprehensive review to ensure the visa’s fitness for purpose and alignment with the evolving needs of New Zealand’s labour market.
While the news of a potential policy rework brings relief to those disappointed by the review’s limited scope, the Green Party continues to press for the immediate decoupling of AEWV visas from single employers. Ricardo Menéndez March, the party’s Immigration spokesperson, argues that such a change could have a profound impact on mitigating migrant exploitation, offering a swift and decisive resolution to the issue.
Stanford, however, remains measured in her response, indicating that there are no immediate plans to decouple visas. Nevertheless, she assures stakeholders that this aspect will be thoughtfully considered in the broader examination of AEWV settings in the coming months. The proposed changes, as outlined by Stanford, aim to strike a delicate equilibrium between attracting highly skilled workers and ensuring New Zealand’s capacity for infrastructure, housing, healthcare, and education services. The immigration minister is determined to present a comprehensive plan to the Cabinet promptly, addressing these critical issues head-on and signalling a commitment to fostering a fair and sustainable immigration system for the benefit of both migrants and the country’s workforce. -TIN Bureau