Employers are welcoming a streamlined visa process for hiring foreign workers, and say it'll help them fill critical labour gaps where New Zealanders are not available.
The government has outlined changes to employer-assisted temporary work visas, which is where the company's tried and failed to find an appropriate New Zealander and looks overseas.
The government says it'll benefit at least 25,000 businesses by making it easier to employ foreign workers in the short term.
But the changes will also require sectors to train more New Zealanders long-term.
The National Party says it generally supports the changes, but will need to see the detail, including what it requires of employers to be part of the scheme.
Jordan Bond reports.
