Philip Gregan: New Zealand Winegrowers CEO on the changes to short-term worker visas

The Mike Hosking Breakfast

A new short-term worker visa's proving popular within the wine growing industry.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford's creating a new subcategory of the Specific Purpose Work Visa to help employers in upcoming seasonal peaks.

She says the roles can't last longer than nine months and exclude jobs usually covered by the Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme like fruit pickers.

New Zealand Winegrowers CEO Philip Gregan says these changes will make a big difference and are very welcome.

He says last year they had about 400 of these workers who carry out very specialist roles, and without them they just wouldn't be able to process the grapes.

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