W3.50 Entertainers, performing artists and associated support personnel (26/07/1999)

Work visas may be issued and work permits granted (for the period requested) to entertainers, performing artists and associated support personnel who intend to engage in any form of private or public performance in New Zealand for gain or reward if they meet the evidential and other requirements in the following subsections (W3.50.1 and W3.50.5 below).

W3.50.1 Evidential requirements for entertainers, performing artists and associated support personnel

1. Employers, promoters, agents or producers must provide, and visa and immigration officers must be satisfied with, the following evidence and information:
   1. adequate evidence that the applicant is of international distinction or merit, or particular ethnic significance, or is manifestly essential to the presentation; and
   2. adequate evidence that the applicant's employment does not put at risk the employment of New Zealand entertainers or professionals in equivalent work unless the wider benefits to be obtained from the applicant's employment outweigh the loss of job opportunities for New Zealanders; and
   3. adequate evidence that they have given appropriate consideration to employing available New Zealand entertainers or professionals; and
   4. the full names, nationalities, dates and places of birth of each applicant; and
   5. a guarantee of accommodation and repatriation for each applicant.
2. 1. Employers must submit this evidence and information in writing to the nearest branch office of the NZIS at least 10 working days before the proposed engagement.
   2. The NZIS may waive the time limit of 10 working days if in exceptional circumstances the availability of a performer (or a replacement) cannot be confirmed until closer to the date of the event.

W3.50.5 Obtaining the agreement of the relevant New Zealand performers' union

1. Visa and immigration officers must sight evidence that the information required in W3.50.1 above has been supplied to one or, depending on whether performances involve accompanying musicians, both of the relevant New Zealand performers' unions.
2. The relevant unions and their officers are:

   National Secretary
   Musicians Branch of the Service Workers Union
   P O Box 41107
   St Lukes
   AUCKLAND
   Phone: 09 355 1853; Fax: 09 355 1854
   (for performers who play musical instruments)

   National Secretary
   National Distribution Workers Union (Actors Equity)
   Private Bag 5
   Newton
   AUCKLAND 2
   Phone: 09 355 1853; Fax: 09 355 1850
   (for other performing artists, including singers and singer/musicians)

3. If the relevant union does not object to the application, the NZIS authorises the appropriate New Zealand overseas branch or post to issue a work visa.
4. If the relevant union objects to the application, the union must notify the NZIS within 3 working days of receiving the information required by W3.50.1(a) above from the promoter, agent or producer.
5. The NZIS then consults with the parties to resolve the disagreement as quickly as possible.

   Note: In the case of film production, the NZIS may also seek advice from the New Zealand Film Commission or any other appropriate industry or government organisation.

6. If the parties cannot reach an agreement, the NZIS refers the application to the Minister of Immigration for a decision.

Effective 26/07/1999