The total labour force was 2.7 million people employed and 100,000 unemployed, making a total labour force of 2.8 million. Of that total 300,000 were on temporary work visas of one form or another. In some industries, like hospitality or agriculture, temporary visa holders made up 30% of the workforce or more. So it was important that the people here would be able to access residency as easily as possible once Covid happened. So doctors can access residency immediately, but nurses and teachers who we also desperately need must wait two years.

Source: New Zealand Herald August 29, 2022 21:56 UTC