NEWS
Relief for farmers By Anne Boswell
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hort-staffed dairy farmers can breathe a sigh of relief with the announcement the Government has approved border class exceptions for an additional 200 dairy workers. The exceptions will allow up to 150 dairy farm workers in management roles and up to 50 workers in dairy assistant roles on-farm, along with their partners and dependent children. Almost 50% of farmers surveyed by DairyNZ reported having vacancies on farm, with covid-19 border closures resulting in the crippling shortage of workers in the dairy industry. “It is clear from conversations with the dairy sector that they are facing workforce pressures,” Minister for Agriculture Damien O’Connor says. “These border exceptions will go a long way toward relieving those pressures.” DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle says the border exception is a step in the right direction. “This is positive news for farmers who will be encouraged that the Government has heard our concerns and responded,” Mackle says. “We will be ensuring farmers understand the details of the class exception to be able to make an informed decision.” However, while the exception process will offer some farmers some respite for the coming season, the industry is still facing long-term labour challenges. Despite the continuing efforts of DairyNZ and Federated Farmers to attract New Zealanders into dairy farming careers, including the relaunch of GoDairy, the need for overseas workers in some parts of the country remains. O’Connor says with the new dairy season under way, migrant dairy farm workers will supplement the domestic workforce and provide critical support. “The Government and food and fibre sectors have been working hard to mitigate worker shortages by training and upskilling New Zealanders, but we know it takes time,” O’Connor says. “Dairy managers have specialist skills developed over many years, which we can’t replicate overnight.”
DAIRY FARMER
July 2021
Minister for Agriculture Damien O’Connor says the Government is allowing 200 dairy workers into the country to help ease the pressure on farmers.
Federated Farmers spokesperson Chris Lewis says now the job of working through the details with DairyNZ, Immigration NZ and the Ministry for Primary Industries will begin, to see how the 200 spaces can be fairly allocated across the country.
“This is positive news for farmers who will be encouraged that the Government has heard our concerns and responded.” Dr Tim Mackle
In addition to dairy workers, the border exceptions also include 50 veterinarians, their partners and dependent children. “Despite the previous border class
exception for vets, our domestic vet skill shortage remains acute, including hardto-recruit roles in isolated rural practices,” O’Connor says. “This new class exception will allow veterinarians to enter NZ if they have between 3-5 years’ experience and meet the remuneration threshold of $85,000 per year.” O’Connor says dairy farm workers and vets play a key role in animal welfare, food safety and safeguarding NZ’s international reputation as a producer of safe and sustainable food. “In making this decision, we’ve balanced the need to keep New Zealanders safe and ensure appropriate MIQ capacity, with seasonal and strategic skills shortages, and seasonal variations for overseas New Zealanders travelling home,” he says. “These new border exceptions will help drive NZ’s economic recovery from covid-19.” n
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