Good News for 18-30 Year Olds
The number of people able to work while on holiday in New Zealand will increase to at least 40,000 within two years.
New Zealand Working Holiday Schemes (WHS) currently allow 31,000 people, aged 18 to 30, to work here for up to a year.
Immigration Minister Paul Swain said that with unemployment at just 3.8 per cent, working holidaymakers were a good source of temporary labour for New Zealand.
"Last year, just under a quarter of all working holidaymakers were employed in our horticultural and agricultural sectors. They are also a potential pool of talent for the longer-term Skilled Migrant Category."
"Working holidaymakers have many positive effects on the country. Most of them are well educated and highly motivated workers, who create more jobs than they take."
Foreign Minister Phil Goff estimated that money spent by working holidaymakers generated 11,000 extra jobs for New Zealanders.
Mr Goff added that talented young people took home long-term friendships and an empathy with New Zealand.
Unlimited
Other changes to the scheme include removing the cap on WHS applicants from the UK, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands. France and Canada may also be included in this category, pending negotiations on reciprocal agreements.
British working holidaymakers will be able to stay for up to two years and work for 12 months.
From 2005/06, 10,000 extra places will be reserved for young people from Canada, the US, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, and Italy.
Work restrictions will be eased for the US, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Sweden, whose citizens will be able to work throughout their stay.
When the changes take effect in July 2005, people will be able to apply online. At present they have to go to a New Zealand Immigration Service branch in their home country.
A formal review of the scheme will be carried out in 2007.
Learn more about New Zealand Working Holidays.
