The Motor Trade Association (MTA) has welcomed the Government’s decision to restore fast-track residency pathways for panel beaters and vehicle painters, calling it a long-overdue but vital move to address workforce shortages in the automotive sector.
From August 18, ten new trades occupations will be added to the Green List’s Work to Residence pathway, allowing eligible migrants in those roles to apply for residence after two years of employment in New Zealand with an accredited employer.
The move is aimed at easing ongoing labour shortages in manufacturing and trades, with Immigration Minister Erica Stanford saying the changes will boost the economy and productivity.
“We know how important skilled workers are to the resilience of the manufacturing sector. When we don’t have enough people to fill these roles, productivity slows, business growth stalls and the economy feels the pressure. These changes will help bring in the talent we need to keep things moving,” Stanford said.
The new occupations include panel beaters, vehicle painters, welders, fitters, and paving plant operators, among others.
MTA head of advocacy, James McDowall, says the decision shows government has listened to the sector’s concerns.
“While it’s overdue, it’s good news. The collision repair has been affected by a shortage of skilled workers for several years.
“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,” McDowall says.
The Government’s decision effectively reverses an earlier move by the National-led administration to remove the roles from the Green List, despite the previous Labour Government having added them before leaving office.
“That was short-sighted, but we argued hard for the change and are pleased that Government has now listened to us,” he 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.”
MTA had recently reiterated its stance in a public campaign, including a billboard near Parliament urging the Government to reassess immigration settings.
“Who knows if this was the final push that tipped the scale?” McDowall adds.
The Collision Repair Association (CRA) also applauded the announcement, with general manager Stewart Gibb describing it as a “constructive step.”
“Addressing the immediate shortage of trained technicians in collision repair as well as longer term supply is still a high priority for the CRA,” Gibb says.
McDowall noted the skills gap extends beyond the panel and paint sector.
“MTA members often highlight the difficulty in finding skilled staff as one of the biggest challenges they face,” he says.
“A strong automotive sector benefits everyone – shorter wait times to repair vehicles or conduct essential maintenance that keeps Kiwis moving.”
Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Chris Penk says the manufacturing sector contributes $21.8 billion to the economy annually, but staffing pressures have persisted.
“Business confidence is improving as inflation and living costs ease, but I’m hearing from manufacturers that some roles crucial to day-to-day operations are still proving difficult to fill,” Penk says.
“We know these skill shortages must be addressed to support the sector’s recovery. Bringing in overseas talent will help lift productivity and ensure manufacturers across the country can seize opportunities to grow.
“As these businesses unlock their potential they’ll be better positioned to expand, create new jobs and take on more local apprentices – driving prosperity and opportunity in communities across New Zealand.”
Stanford added: “We’re committed to building the skilled workforce New Zealand needs to thrive, and there are more changes ahead to strengthen our skilled residence settings.”
The MTA represents more than 4000 businesses across the automotive sector, employing more than 62,000 people and contributing approximately $5.5 billion to the national economy.
