Green-list date for mechanics

A date has been set for skilled motor mechanics to access NZ Immigration’s green list as the government looks to alleviate shortages being experienced across the automotive industry.

The addition of motor and motorcycle mechanics to the work-to-residence green list pathway will be made on May 29.

The qualification requirements will be one of the following or higher – New Zealand certificate at level four in heavy automotive, light automotive or motorcycle engineering, or appointment as a vehicle inspector by Waka Kotahi for warrant of fitness service delivery,

In December 2022, Michael Wood, the Minister of Immigration, announced several roles across different sectors would be added to the green list’s work-to-residence pathway to help further address labour shortages and provide greater certainty to businesses as they recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Details of the transport-sector agreement for bus and truck drivers, and critical maritime transport workers, have also been confirmed by Wood.

Karen Bishop, general manager of enablement at Immigration NZ, says: “The transport-sector agreement will provide certainty to Aotearoa New Zealand, in particular for those who rely on buses and ferries as public-transport options, and businesses that rely on freight movement.

“Under the agreement, eligible bus drivers, truck drivers, ship’s masters [skippers] and deckhands will have a two-year work-to-residence pathway. The agreement will be uncapped and reviewed after 12 months.

“Employers can use the accredited employer work visa to recruit suitably qualified drivers, with eligible bus-driving roles exempt from paying the median wage of $29.66 an hour. From April 26, eligible employers can recruit bus drivers under the accredited employer work visa at a minimum of $28 an hour.

“To be eligible for the median-wage exemption and two-year residence pathway, the minister agreed all bus operators must have signed an all-parties memorandum of understanding on improving driver terms and conditions for public-transport services or be providing Ministry of Education-funded school bus services.

“From September 29, people who have completed two years working in an occupation covered by the sector agreement will be able to apply for residence.

Eligibility for residence for bus drivers will be the same as for the median-wage exemption.

“Truck drivers will be eligible for residence if they are primarily driving vehicles that require class four or five licences.”

Ship’s masters (skippers) and deckhands who meet eligibility criteria are also included in the sector agreement and have a two-year work-to-residence pathway.

“The government introduced sector agreements to support the transition from a reliance on low-skilled migrant labour, while ensuring everyone has better wages and working conditions,” adds Bishop.

The full list of roles to be added to the work-to-residence green list pathway on May 29 is as follows: civil construction supervisors, gasfitters, drainlayers, skilled crane operators, skilled civil machine operators, halal slaughterers, skilled motor mechanics, skilled telecommunications technicians and all teachers.

Eligible applicants will need to have worked in a green-list occupation and met the specified requirements of that occupation for 24 months. 

Further details about the transport-sector agreement and the green-list roles can be found on Immigration NZ’s website. 

Any changes made to transport-sector agreement after its 12-month review will not affect migrants already on their two-year work-to-residence pathways.