Green list changes boost for industry
The Motor Trade Association (MTA) has welcomed the addition of panel beaters and vehicle painters to the immigration green list but says other areas of the automotive industry still face labour shortages.
James McDowall, MTA’s head of advocacy, explains the move shows the government has listened to the industry’s calls to make changes to support essential businesses in the automotive sector.
“While it’s overdue, it’s good news. The collision repair has been affected by a shortage of skilled workers for several years,” adds McDowall, pictured.
“Everyone would like to hire local, but the reality is there are not enough homegrown workers coming through to fill the gap.
“Skilled, hard-working immigrant workers have much to offer in addressing the shortfall and contributing to the community and industry.”
The government has announced 10 new trades occupations, including panel beaters and vehicles painters, will be added to the green list’s work to residence pathway from August 18, 2025,
It means eligible workers in these roles will be able to apply for residence after 24 months of employment in New Zealand, provided they meet the wage and other eligibility criteria.
The move reverses a decision made by the current government shortly after it took office. The previous Labour administration had added the roles to the green list but the National-led coalition removed them before it came into effect.
“That was short-sighted but we argued hard for the change and are pleased that government has now listened to us,” McDowall says.
“We have also been advocating that automotive trades are added to skilled migrant pathways to make it even easier for employers to recruit high-quality workers.”
The MTA notes it reminded the government at the beginning of June of the importance of amending immigration settings in its mid-term “warrant of fitness”.
The Collision Repair Authority (CRA) has also pushed for the change and says the announcement is a constructive step towards addressing the skilled worker shortfall.
Stewart Gibb, general manager, says: “Addressing the immediate shortage of trained technicians in collision repair as well as longer-term supply is still a high priority for the CRA.”
McDowall adds labour shortages are not limited to the collision repair sector and the MTA is working closely with Immigration Minister Erica Stanford on further changes to benefit the automotive industry.
“MTA members often highlight the difficulty in finding skilled staff as one of the biggest challenges they face,” he notes.
