WH3.10 Transitioning to Recognised Seasonal Employer (TRSE) work permit (26/11/2007)

People holding work permits granted under the Transitioning to Recognised Seasonal Employer (TRSE) policy may undertake seasonal work in the horticulture and viticulture industries (which is planting, maintaining, harvesting or packing crops) for a specified employer.

WH3.10.1 Who is eligible for a TRSE work permit?

1. Applicants for TRSE work permits must:
   1. be aged 18 or older; and
   2. have an employment agreement which meets the requirements set out at WH3.5.20 with an employer who has TRSE approval in principle (see WH3.5); and
   3. meet health and character requirements as set out at E6; and
   4. meet the requirements for bona fide applicants as set out at E5; and
   5. hold a return ticket to their home country, or provide evidence of sufficient funds to purchase a return ticket.
2. To be granted a permit under TRSE policy an applicant must:
   1. be the holder of a current temporary permit; and
   2. not have previously held a TRSE work permit; and
   3. in the 12 months prior to the TRSE work permit application being made, not have held a work permit (or multiple work permits) granted to undertake seasonal work (planting, maintaining, harvesting, or packing crops) in the horticulture or viticulture industries for a total period of seven months or longer.

Note: The employment agreement provided to workers must be the same as that which is provided to INZ with the employer's application for TRSE approval, unless the terms and conditions of the employment agreement provided to the worker are more beneficial to the worker.

WH3.10.5 Currency and conditions of a TRSE work permit

1. TRSE work permits will be granted for a maximum period of four months unless (d) below applies.
2. Work permits issued under TRSE policy will be subject to the condition that the holder may undertake work planting, maintaining, harvesting or packing crops in the horticulture or viticulture industry only, for an employer who holds TRSE approval in principle and with whom they have entered into an employment agreement.
3. Where the non-New Zealand citizen or resident worker ceases to be employed by the employer with TRSE approval in principle, their TRSE work permit will be revoked.
4. Where an employer has made a robust case for the need to have additional time for a worker recruited under this policy to undergo training preparatory to undertaking the seasonal work (including on the job training), and INZ is satisfied that this training is necessary, the maximum period of the TRSE work permit (as described in (a) above) may be extended by up to two weeks.

WH3.10.10 Applying for a work permit under TRSE policy

Applications for a TRSE work permit must:

1. be made on the Application for a Transitioning to RSE Work Permit (NZIS 1153) form; and
2. meet all the requirements under Generic Temporary Entry policy for lodging an application for a temporary permit as set out at E4; and
3. meet all the requirements for eligibility under WH3.10.1.

Effective 26/11/2007