Federated Farmers is pleased that the Productivity Commission has decided to hold an inquiry into our current immigration settings and looks forward to engaging in the process.

The primary industries have traditionally looked to the migrant workforce to fill a range of roles where sufficient numbers of Kiwis are not available.

"The closure of the border has seen many roles, both permanent and seasonal, unable to be filled by Kiwis," Feds Immigration Spokesperson Chris Lewis says.

"The various sectors have done what they can to encourage more New Zealanders to work on farms, including training and recruitment initiatives and increases in wages, but some roles and regions remain critically short on suitable staff.

"Whatever recommendations come from this review any changes made to the immigration settings must allow for those international workers with specialised skills to cross our borders and meet the genuine labour shortages we are facing in some regions and sectors," Chris said.

The inquiry will sit alongside existing changes planned by Immigration, including the implementation of reforms to temporary work visas and a review of the Skilled Migrant Category visa.

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