WH4.1 Objectives

The objectives of the Supplementary Seasonal Employment (SSE) policy are to:

1. allow employers in the horticulture and viticulture industries to supplement their New Zealand workforce with onshore non-New Zealand citizen or resident workers when peak labour demand exceeds the available and suitable New Zealand workforce and employers have made reasonable attempts to train and recruit New Zealand citizens and residents; and
2. ensure outcomes which promote the integrity, credibility and reputation of the New Zealand immigration and employment relations systems.

WH4.1.1 Overview

1. Employers who wish to recruit non-New Zealand citizen or resident workers in New Zealand to plant, maintain, harvest or pack crops in the horticulture or viticulture industry under this policy must first obtain SSE approval in principle.
2. SSE approval in principle will only be given for periods when demand for seasonal workers in the horticulture or viticulture industry cannot be met from the available and suitable New Zealand workforce. INZ will assess the availability of suitable New Zealand citizen or resident workers in consultation with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).
3. SSE work permit applications will only be granted where there are available positions of employment, as determined by INZ in consultation with the MSD.
4. An employer with SSE approval in principle may offer employment (to plant, maintain, harvest or pack crops) to non-New Zealand citizen or resident workers who hold a SSE work permit (see WH4.10) provided that the employer does not exceed the maximum number of SSE workers stated on their SSE approval in principle at any one time.
5. Workers will be granted SSE work permits for a duration of six months, and will only be eligible for a SSE work permit once.

Effective 27/07/2009