MONIQUE FORD/STUFF
BusinessNZ chief executive Kirk Hope is disappointed with the Government’s announcment that opening of the borders will not see a return to previous immigration levels. Nash pointed out that in the decade prior to Covid-19, the number of people on temporary work visas doubled to more than 200,000, making up almost 5 per cent of New Zealand s labour force, which was high compared to other OECD countries. He said that, rather than investing in plant and machinery to increase production, or employing and up-skilling Kiwis, businesses had been able to suppress wages by relying on lower skilled migrants.
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Announced in a pre-Budget speech to business leaders, the early July visit will be New Zealand’s first overseas delegation visit since the emergence of Covid-19.
Those delegation visits were not contingent on the completion of the New Zealand vaccination rollout, she said. “But it would almost certainly be after the general rollout begins, so it will be post July.” She said she intended to pursue an enhanced trade relationship with the US over the coming term seeing as there was a change of administration, and a deepening relationship with President Joe Biden across a range of issues. Trade Minister Damien O’Connor would also travel to London and Brussels in June to progress negotiations for New Zealand’s free trade agreements with the UK and EU, she said.
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