Employers now have to check that their staff are legally entitled to work in New Zealand, under new legislation.
The Employers and Manufacturers Association says it's a simple matter for recruiters to ask all new workers to provide a birth certificate or passport as proof of their status.
The association says everyone has their part to play in ensuring that staff are working lawfully.
The Immigration Act also removes the distinction between permits and visas, and introduces an interim visa next year for those on Immigration Service waiting lists.
