[KD17]

I found the following at: -

http://news.emigratenz.org

Come as a Tourist, Get a Work Permit in 48 hours
Posted by News Team under Jobs / Economy

New Zealand needs its fruit picked. It needs its fruit picked so badly that people who come as tourists can be approved to work as fruit pickers within 48 hours.
If no New Zealander is available to do a job, Work and Income New Zealand can approve the issue of temporary work permits in lightning time.
This is not a new mechanism. In the 2004 season over 2,000 overseas people were issued with fast-track work permits.
What’s new is that New Zealand has the lowest unemployment rate in the developed world. To make matters worse for the fruit growers, well-paid construction work for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne is drawing New Zealanders to work the season in Australia rather than their home country. New Zealanders do not need permits to live and work in Australia.
A news report in a Christchurch newspaper today indicated that growers around Nelson are especially concerned they won’t get the estimated 4,500 pickers they will need. Nelson, at the northern tip of the South Island is famed for its warm, sunny summers and relaxed lifestyle.
So if you want to come for a long holiday in New Zealand and earn some money while you are here, 2006 may be a good year to come.

worth a thought !!! :yes

Keith & Debby

[Cardiff Irons]

I was rather hoping that this thread would be about barbarian 48 hour marathon shifts for the poor unfortunate souls in the fruit picking industry. I'm mildly disappointed that it wasn't. ;)

Seriously, I agree it is a rather interesting option! I wonder if you can get an official job offer, which would obviously help some people with the new points system.

[Lukas]

...Yes it is true for some regions...Nelson, Otago, Howkes Bay...ONLY
It is a lucrative bussiness and lot of fun if you are a fit worker in your early or mid 20's. Many South americans are using this back door in order to make some legal cash, extend their visa. Extending your visitor visa on the basis of such a work permit is possible...one year, two...wven more. During this time many of them are applying for professional positions allowing them to start the PR application process.

In legal terms the entire strategy is called "Variation of Permission regarding the Visitor Permit"...anf of course you won't find any allusion to it on the NZIS site. This is the grey course...motivated by the desperation of the NZ Fruit growing industry.

[Lukas]

...Yes it is true for some regions...Nelson, Otago, Howkes Bay...ONLY
It is a lucrative bussiness and lot of fun if you are a fit worker in your early or mid 20's. Many South americans are using this back door in order to make some legal cash, extend their visa. Extending your visitor visa on the basis of such a work permit is possible...one year, two...wven more. During this time many of them are applying for professional positions allowing them to start the PR application process.

In legal terms the entire strategy is called "Variation of Permission regarding the Visitor Permit"...anf of course you won't find any allusion to it on the NZIS site. This is the grey course...motivated by the desperation of the NZ Fruit growing industry.