Massive 40% Decrease in AEWV Applications Leaves Employers Scrambling

So, here we are again in this latest immigration news with the government making changes that look good on paper but leave you scratching your head when it comes to real-world impact. Immigration New Zealand's Accredited Employer Work Visa tweak, rolled out in April, has been a masterclass in overreach. They’ve made it harder for unskilled workers to get in, imposed more hurdles, and jacked up the costs—so it’s no wonder we’re seeing a 40 per cent drop in applications.

But let’s get real—what does that actually solve? The idea was to slow down net migration, maybe give the impression they’re protecting local jobs. Yet the reality is, employers across the board, from construction to hospitality, are still struggling to find staff. The labour shortages persist, and while fewer migrants might mean fewer headlines about ‘too many foreigners,’ it does nothing to address the core issue: we simply don’t have enough people to fill these roles.

And let’s not forget the irony here. By making it harder for the very workers we need—especially in those so-called lower-skill levels—what you’re actually doing is shooting yourself in the foot. These sectors are desperate for workers, and no amount of bureaucratic red tape is going to change that.

So yes, the numbers have dropped. But don’t kid yourself that this is a solution. It’s a band-aid on a problem that needs a lot more than some tinkering around the edges. We need policies that balance control with practicality, because right now, all we've done is make life harder for everyone involved—employers, migrants, and, ultimately, the New Zealand economy.