❗️UPDATE: PETITION TO PARLIAMENT IS ONLINE

https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/petitions/document/PET_99443/petition-of-marie-louisa-bock-working-holiday-visa-extension

Petition request:

A six month extension for Working Holiday Visa (WHV) holders who are already located in New Zealand.

Petition reason:

- The prospect of an anticipated labour shortage in some industries (e.g. horticulture, viticulture and animal husbandry), which could at least be reduced by WHV holders

- More WHV holders in the country = more purchasing power (to support NZ businesses in terms of consumption)

By no means WHV holders should do jobs that unemployed Kiwis a) could do and b) would want to do. But because a) seasonal work isn’t always located where residents are looking for work and it’s easier for travellers to relocate, and b) some jobs (e.g. on orchards or farms) aren’t attractive to locals, the labour of WHV holders could benefit the country. This is probable since it doesn’t look like borders will be opened in the near future, which means new workers will still not be able to enter the country.

Labour shortage could lead to many negative consequences, such as a rise in food prices which in the end Kiwis would need to pay, thereby it should be reduced as much as possible. An extension of WHVs would allow WHV holders to jump in and work if needed and even if they are not needed, they can still return to their home countries and in the meantime they will have supported not only the tourism industry, but NZ businesses in general.

Arohanui from current WHV holders!