10 September 2020

Ryan Potts
[FYI request #13462 email]
Ref: DOIA 2021-0345

Dear Ryan Potts,

I refer to your official information request, which was initially received by the Ministry of Business,
Innovation & Employment (the Ministry) on 14 August 2020. You requested, under the Official
Information Act 1982 (OIA), the following information:

I would appreciate clarification of the fol owing: There were 408 work visas issued for Dairy
Cattle Farm Workers in June 2020 (Migration Data Explorer). I would like confirmation that
1) each of these visas was subject to labour market testing, and 2) no New Zealanders were
found to be be suitable and/or trainable for these specific job positions. Based on my
understanding of Immigration Instructions and the information you have previously
disclosed to me, I think it is a reasonable assumption that the answer to question 1) should
be yes and the answer to question 2) should be no. If this is not the case then I would be
grateful to receive an explanation.

I am writing to advise you that the Ministry will provide a response, but needs to extend the time
available to answer your request. The Ministry’s response will be with you no later than 15 September
2020. The reason for the extension relies on s15A(1)(b) of the OIA – consultations necessary to make
a decision on the request are such that a proper response to the request cannot be made within the
original time limit. We will respond to your request sooner if we are able to.

You have the right to seek an investigation and review of our decision to extend the time limit by the
Ombudsman at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz, free-phone 0800 802 602 or post to the fol owing
address:

The Ombudsman
Office of the Ombudsman
PO Box 10-152
WELLINGTON 6143

Yours sincerely

Michael Carley
Manager Operations Support
Immigration New Zealand
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

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