Notice Type
Departmental
Notice Title

Special Direction—Variation of Conditions of Visas Held by a Class of Onshore Persons to Manage Effects and Deal With Consequences of Measures Taken to Contain or Mitigate the Outbreak of COVID-19 or Its Effects

Under section 52(4A) of the Immigration Act 2009 (“Act”), by special direction, I vary the conditions of the visas held by the following class of people:

Every person who:

  1. is the holder of a Working Holiday Scheme visa or Working Holidaymaker Extension temporary visa (Working Holiday visa) that was extended by six months in accordance with my Special Direction signed on 9 June 2021 (New Zealand Gazette, 22 June 2021, Notice No. 2021-go2458), but
  2. who was not part of the class of persons whose visa was extended in accordance with my Special Direction signed on 17 December 2020 (New Zealand Gazette, 12 January 2021, Notice No. 2021-go58).

I vary the conditions of the visas held by the above class of people so that, in addition to the extension of their visas, any current restrictions on work are varied to allow the visa holder to work in any employment except permanent employment.

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 existing work related conditions of visa holders.

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

Dated this 24th day of June 2021.

Hon KRIS FAAFOI, Minister of Immigration.

Explanatory Note

The effect of this special direction is to vary the conditions of Working Holiday visas previously extended by Special Direction (on 9 June 2021) so that the holder may now work in any employment (except permanent employment) in New Zealand.