The system is unable to automatically create or update job tokens in these scenarios, which makes it difficult to maintain accurate and up-to-date employee records. To address this, we have introduced a manual process as a temporary solution.

What employers need to know

To make sure AEWV workers are properly linked to their new employer, a new job check application needs to be submitted. This creates a job token and completes the formal connection in our system. This step is important for keeping immigration records accurate, especially so workers can apply for the rest of their visa under the maximum continuous stay rules.

We will reach out directly to affected employers with clear, step-by-step instructions to help guide them through the process, and will waive the job check fee.

Looking ahead

Work is underway to develop a long-term system solution, expected to be available next year.

This will streamline processes and reduce the need for manual intervention.

The award was presented by Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ), with representatives from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) in attendance at the ceremony.

Each season, the orchard welcomes more than 50 workers from Samoa and Fiji alongside 19 local staff. Over many years, Cederman Bros has built a reputation for creating not just jobs, but opportunities for growth and wellbeing.

“Cederman Bros show what partnership looks like when employers put people first,” says Faamata Laumalili, National Manager Pacific. “Their approach respects culture, invests in skills, and supports communities on both sides of the moana. That’s the heart of the RSE programme.”

A programme at the heart of our communities

The RSE scheme helps horticulture and viticulture employers meet seasonal labour needs when there are not enough local workers. Employers hire seasonal workers from Pacific nations for crop planting, maintenance, harvesting and packing.

The RSE programme delivers lasting community benefits. Seasonal earnings support families and village economies, while training like Vakameasina builds practical and leadership skills. Cederman Bros’ diabetes awareness work shows how local partnerships enhance wellbeing. Respecting culture and encouraging community ties strengthens connections between Pacific workers and New Zealand communities. “The RSE programme is about more than filling jobs,” says Faamata Laumalili. “It’s about creating opportunities that last — income, skills and confidence that flow back into families and villages.”

Cederman Bros exemplifies this approach. They sponsor sports uniforms, allow time off for volleyball tournaments, and support cultural observance such as Sunday as a Sabbath. They also partner with local health initiatives and encourage participation in churches and community projects.

“When workers thrive, communities thrive,” Faamata adds. “Cederman Bros has understood this for years — creating space for faith, family, sport and health while building skills that last.”

Proven impact here and at home

Even during challenges such as recent floods, Cederman Bros has remained committed to it is people, expanding its workforce and exploring long term pathways like work visas and quota schemes. Their people first approach, cultural respect and community investment set a benchmark not only for the RSE scheme in New Zealand, but across the Asia–Pacific region.

“RSE scheme is most powerful when it builds pathways – so that income, skills, and confidence flow back into families and villages,” says Faamata Laumalili. “Cederman Bros is a great example of that promise in action.”

The 2-day operation was part of the broader Operation Orzo, which began earlier this year in the Bay of Islands. There, unannounced visits were made to more than 50 retail and hospitality businesses in Kerikeri, Paihia, Russell, and nearby suburbs including Haruru, Opua and Waipapa. Inspectors also interviewed nearly 100 workers about their employment conditions.

David Milne, the Labour Inspectorate’s Compliance Manager for the Northern Region, says the goal of Operation Orzo is to increase the visibility and engagement of the Inspectorate and to ensure compliance with minimum employment standards in the northern North Island with a specific focus on the hospitality and retail sectors.

Cafes, bars, pubs and restaurants were all visited during the Whangārei operation which was carried out by the Labour Inspectorate jointly with Immigration Investigators supporting on some visits.

Inspectors primarily focused on compliance with the following legislation:

• Employment Relations Act 2000
• Holidays Act 2003
• Minimum Wage Act 1983
• Wages Protection Act 1983

The Immigration team focused on identifying any immigration breaches from employers. Three employers were identified to have employed migrant workers without a valid or correct visa and will be issued infringement notices. One individual was also issued with a Deportation Liability Notice for breaching their visa conditions.

Mr Milne says the primary focus of Operation Orzo is to raise awareness about the inspectorate and monitor whether businesses are meeting their obligations under minimum employment standards.

“However, inspectors made a point of helping business owners and employees understand their rights and responsibilities regarding employment standards.

“Education is an important part of what we do and where breaches are found to be minor and unintentional Employment New Zealand inspectors are happy to work with employers and employees to educate or resolve complaints or other issues.

“But where clear breaches of minimum employment standards are found various enforcement options will be considered,” Mr Milne says.

He says the data gathered during the Whangārei visits is still being assessed and it is still too early to provide any updates about potential breaches.

Operation Orzo is one of several operations the Inspectorate is undertaking across New Zealand this year.

Other sectors under the Labour Inspectorate spotlight include transport, construction, horticulture, dairy and security.

MBIE encourages anyone who thinks they or someone else has been treated unfairly in the workplace to contact Employment New Zealand’s 0800 20 90 20 Customer Service Centre number where their concerns will be handled in a safe environment.

Media contact: 021 814 674 or email media@mbie.govt.nz.

This change supports a more secure visa application process by protecting applicants from online payment fraud.

3D Secure adds a second layer of authentication for card payments to protect applicants card information when paying online.

Here is how it works:

After entering your card details to pay for your visa application, depending on your bank’s processes, you may be

• asked to enter a one-time code sent to the cardholder’s phone or email
• sent a verification link to follow the cardholder’s email
• asked to enter a code found in the cardholder’s banking app.

This step confirms that the payment is safe and genuine.

If you are using a family member’s or agent’s card, you:

• must have their permission
• may need to coordinate with them to complete the payment.

Other countries, like Australia, already use 3D Secure for visa application payments. It works well and should not prevent people from using their cards to make payments.

Check our guidance on making payments with 3D Secure:

How to pay using 3D Secure

The Parent Boost Visitor Visa is designed to help parents of New Zealand citizens and residents spend extended time with their families. It allows eligible parents to stay in New Zealand for up to 5 years, and leave and re-enter New Zealand as many times as they want within that time.

There is also the option to apply for a second 5-year visa, enabling a total stay of up to 10 years.

Note

This visa is not a pathway to residence, but it offers a meaningful way for families to spend extended time together.

Eligibility and application

To be granted a Parent Boost Visitor Visa, you must genuinely intend to follow the visa rules, leave New Zealand before it expires, and only use it for visiting your children temporarily.

To apply, you must:

• be outside New Zealand when applying and when the visa is granted
• meet character and health standards
• be sponsored by an adult child who is a New Zealand citizen or resident
• demonstrate you have sufficient funds or income to support your stay or that your sponsor or sponsors meet income requirements
• show that you are a genuine visitor who will retain links with your home country.

If you meet the criteria to be approved:

• you will receive an approval in principle and be asked to provide evidence of 12 months’ worth of acceptable insurance.
• you will also need to sign a declaration confirming that you understand the Parent Boost Visitor Visa is for a temporary stay only, you must follow all visa conditions and leave New Zealand before it expires, and if you or your sponsor do not comply, your visa could be cancelled and you may face deportation.

Note

To be eligible for the Parent Boost Visitor Visa, you must not have any dependent children.

Once you visa is granted:

• you must arrive in New Zealand within 6 months of the visa being approved
• your 5-year stay begins from the date of first arrival, not the approval date
• you can leave and re-enter New Zealand freely during the visa period
• parents and their partners can travel separately
• after 3 years (but before 4 years), you will need to leave New Zealand and complete a compliance check which includes submitting a new medical certificate and providing evidence that acceptable insurance has been maintained while you have been in New Zealand.

This check confirms you are still meeting the visa conditions, including health requirements.

Health and medical requirements

Applicants must meet an acceptable standard of health. This ensures visa holders do not place undue pressure on New Zealand’s health system.

For the first visa, medical certificates from the past 12 months may be reused if they meet the required standard.

For the mid-visa check and second visa, new medical certificates no older than 3 months are required.

Medical waivers will not be considered — applicants must meet the health standard to qualify.

Acceptable standard of health

Health insurance requirements

To protect both visa holders and New Zealand’s public services, acceptable insurance is mandatory.

Additional requirements

• Insurance must be maintained for the entire duration of the stay in New Zealand.
• 12 months insurance must be purchased upfront (following an approval in principle).
• Evidence of this insurance must be provided within 3 months of the visa being approved in principle (Immigration New Zealand will request the evidence at this time).
• Insurance from companies outside of New Zealand will be accepted so long as it is provided by an acceptable insurer and meets the requirements.

Note

Failing to maintain acceptable insurance while in New Zealand on a Parent Boost Visitor Visa may result in your visa being cancelled, you being made liable for deportation or you not being eligible for a future Parent Boost Visitor Visa or Parent Resident Visa.

Financial support

To demonstrate financial self-sufficiency for the visa, you must meet 1 of the following criteria.

Sponsor’s income

A single sponsor must earn at least the median wage to support 1 parent.

If there are joint sponsors, their combined income must be at least 1.5 times the median wage to support 1 parent (currently NZD $104,707.20).

For each additional parent, the required income increases by 0.5 times the median wage (an additional NZD $34,902.40 for each parent).

Parent’s ongoing income

A single parent must have a regular income that aligns with the single rate of New Zealand Superannuation, which is currently NZD $32,611.28 a year before tax.

A couple must have a combined income that matches the couple rate of New Zealand Superannuation, which is currently NZD $49,552.88 a year before tax.

Parent’s available funds

A single parent must have at least NZD $160,000 in available funds.

A couple must have at least NZD $250,000 in available funds.

These funds must be sufficient to support the parents for the entire duration of their visa. Borrowed or gifted money cannot be used — the funds must genuinely belong to the parents.

Sponsorship requirements

Sponsorship is a key part of the Parent Boost Visitor Visa.

Sponsors must be adult children (aged 18 or older) who are New Zealand citizens or residents.

Joint sponsorship is allowed.

This can include:

• an adult child and their partner
• 2 adult children (siblings)
• 1 adult child of the parent and 1 adult child of the parent’s partner.

Sponsors play a vital role in ensuring visa holders have support during their stay and that the visa programme remains sustainable.