Pursuant to section 78A and 52 of the Immigration Act 2009 (“Act”), by special direction, I extend the visas, and vary the travel conditions of those visas, held by the following class of people:

Every person who:

1. is in New Zealand on 26 August 2022; and
2. who holds a Working Holiday Scheme temporary visa (Working Holiday visa) with an expiry date between 26 August 2022 and 31 May 2023 (inclusive).

Visas held by this class are extended for a period of six months from the date on which they would otherwise expire (that is, the date in the visa record that the visa would have expired on, if not for this direction. For example, if a visa has the recorded expiry date of 31 August 2022, it will be extended to 28 February 2023 and expire on the beginning of 1 March 2023).

For the avoidance of doubt, visas that expire in accordance with section 63(2) of the Act are not included in the class of persons covered by this special direction. In addition, visas held by this class are extended once only by this special direction and are not extended again if the extended expiry date falls within the period specified above.

Where the visas held by this class of people are subject to multiple entry travel conditions, those conditions are varied under section 52(4A)(b) of the Act 2009, to permit multiple entry until the new expiry date.

I am satisfied that the making of this special direction is reasonably necessary to manage the effects, or deal with the consequences, of measures taken under the Act or any other enactment in New Zealand, and other measures taken elsewhere, to contain or mitigate the outbreak of COVID-19 or its effects. This special direction manages the ongoing effects on the labour market as a result of COVID-19, by allowing flexibility in immigration settings so that existing migrant workers can continue to fill labour shortages.

Dated this 26th day of August 2022.

Hon MICHAEL WOOD, Minister of Immigration.

Explanatory Note

The effect of this special direction is to extend Working Holiday visas by six months from the date they would otherwise expire where the holder is in New Zealand on 26 August 2022 and the visa is due to expire between 26 August 2022 and 31 May 2023 (inclusive) and to vary any multiple entry travel condition on those visas to permit multiple entry until the new expiry date.