Auckland (Kanwalpreet Kaur Pannu) - The Minister of Immigration, Kris Faafoi, announced on 12 March 2022 the return of working holidaymakers. The minister says the return of working holidaymakers and more skilled workers will accelerate New Zealand's economic recovery from COVID19 by helping to fill workforce shortages and support tourism.
In order to get people coming to New Zealand as soon as possible, the Government had granted a new 12-month visa to the approximately 19,500 people offshore who previously held a Working Holiday Visa but were unable to use it because of the border restrictions. They will need to use this new visa within the next six months, the minister said in the statement.
While this is good news for the working holidaymakers, and no doubt, we welcome the decision, it is disappointing to see the offshore stuck migrants neglected again. It is an unfair and unethical approach for those bonafide candidates, who were allowed in New Zealand legitimately to study, work, and a potential pathway to settle; who have invested tens of thousands of dollars in their education in New Zealand and have contributed to our economy.
For two years, these migrants have been stuck, still no announcement from the New Zealand government for the offshore stuck temporary visa holders and their families. Their stories are heartbreaking, touching, and painful; they have financial stress, family and community pressure, the uncertainty of the future, and frustration with the situation.
The New Zealand government must end these months of misery and make a favorable decision for them with no further delay.