Under section 78A of the Immigration Act 2009 (“Act”), by special direction, I extend the visas held by the following class of people:

Every person who:

1. is in New Zealand on 14 June 2021; and
2. who holds a Supplementary Seasonal Employment temporary visa (SSE visa) with an expiry date between 30 June 2021 and 31 December 2021 (inclusive).

Visas held by this class are extended for a period of six months from the date on which they would otherwise expire (for example, if a visa has the recorded expiry date of 31 August 2021, it will be extended to 28 February 2022 and expire on the beginning of 1 March 2022).

In addition, under section 52(4A) of the Act, by special direction, I vary the conditions of the visas held by the above class of people so that, in addition to the extension of their visas, current restrictions on work are varied to allow the visa holder to work in any employment in New Zealand.

For the avoidance of doubt, visas that expire in accordance with section 63(2) of the Act are not included in the class of persons covered by this special direction. In addition, visas held by this class are extended once only by this special direction, and are not extended again if the extended expiry date falls within the period specified above.

I am satisfied that the making of this special direction is reasonably necessary to manage the effects, or deal with the consequences of, measures taken under the Act or any other enactment in New Zealand, and other measures taken elsewhere, to contain or mitigate the outbreak of COVID-19 or its effects. This special direction manages the ongoing effects on the labour market as a result of COVID-19, by allowing flexibility in immigration settings so that existing migrant workers can continue to fill labour shortages while border restrictions remain. I am satisfied that the variation of conditions in this special direction will not disadvantage the class of persons to which it relates because it will relax the existing work related conditions of visa holders.

This special direction expires on 31 December 2021 unless revoked earlier.

Dated this 9th day of June 2021.

Hon KRIS FAAFOI, Minister of Immigration.

Explanatory Note

The effect of this special direction is to extend Supplementary Seasonal Employment visas by six months from the date they would otherwise expire where the holder is in New Zealand on 14 June 2021 and the visa is due to expire between 30 June 2021 and 31 December 2021 (inclusive). This special direction also varies the conditions of these visas so that the holder may now work in any employment in New Zealand.