Queenstown open to more working holidaymakers

A new arrangement will make it easier for Queenstown tourism employers to hire working holidaymakers for short-term roles where no suitable New Zealand candidates are available.

Many Queenstown hotels, activities and attractions are facing difficulties in filling short-term vacancies during the busy summer season. And with record numbers of visitors expected to fill the town over the coming months, the situation is becoming critical for employers striving to provide outstanding visitor experiences.

To help overcome the difficulties, the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) has reached an agreement with Immigration New Zealand and the Ministry of Social Development to temporarily streamline procedures around holidaymakers from overseas filling vacancies.

“Employers have been telling us that the processes they need to go through are time-consuming, especially for many skilled job vacancies,” revealed a joint statement from TIA’s Policy & Research Manager Simon Wallace and TIA Hotel Sector Manager Sally Attfield. “Queenstown has a limited pool of New Zealand job candidates and Kiwi job-hunters from further afield may not be in a position to move to Queenstown, especially given the scarcity and high costs of accommodation.”

“Holidaymakers holding work visas are a lifeline for Queenstown employers looking to fill short-term positions, so it’s a real benefit if we can make it easier for them to fill such vacancies,” the statement added.

The arrangement will begin immediately and continue until the end of June 2015.

Article published 24th December 2014