19 May 2026
RB
[FYI request #34527 email]
DOIA-REQ-0031796
Tēnā koe RB
Thank you for your correspondence of 22 April 2026 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and
Employment (MBIE) requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), the following:
I'm wanting to know details on work visas (AEWV) being approved by Immigration New Zealand as
the media or publicly released information doesn't provide detailed numbers on this.
Please provide information on:
1) The number of AEWV applications approved between March 2025 to March 2026, broken down
by the month.
Columns expected: Month, Number of Submitted or Accepted applications, Number of Approved
applications
2) The number of AEWV applications approved between 1st March 2025 to 31st March 2026,
broken down by the top 10 occupations (highest numbers of the approved AEWV applications in the
duration) and month.
Columns expected: Occupation Code, Occupation Description, Month (column per month), Total
3) The number of AEWV applications approved between 1st March 2025 to 31st March 2026,
broken down by the top 10 nationalities (of applicants, ordered by the highest numbers of the
approved AEWV applications in the duration) and month.
4) The median hourly rate for AEWV applications approved between 1st March 2025 to 31st March
2026, broken down by the top 10 occupations.
Columns expected: Occupation Code, Occupation Description, Approved applications, Median
hourly wage rate
Notes: The occupation codes provided can be based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard
Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) or other latest standards you use.
The “top 10 occupations” are based on the 10 occupations that have the highest numbers of the
approved AEWV applications between the duration requested in the question.
Response format used by INZ for the Appendix of DOIA-REQ-0007026 can be used as a reference.
5) Any reports or ministerial briefs provided to the Minister which contain approval numbers
specifically for AEWV. I request release of the full text of such reports (even sections not mentioning
AEWV) so wider context can be understood.
This data is critical to understand skil shortages, wage level improvement or suppression trends
and if the system is working as intended especially during times of a slowing economy and record
high unemployment and underemployment levels in our nation.
Hence, I also urge your team to consider making these details publicly available by means of a
dashboard updated on a weekly or monthly basis and provided as a media update for public
awareness and genuine debates on Immigration policy.
We are extending the timeframe to make a decision on your request under section 15A of the Act, as the
request necessitates a search through a large quantity of information and further consultation is required
to make a decision on your request.
As such, a proper response cannot reasonably be made within the original time limit. MBIE will notify you
of a decision on your request no later than 18 June 2026.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of our decision to extend the
time limit. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
freephone 0800 802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
Debbie Frew
National Manager
Privacy, Complaints and Resolutions
Immigration New Zealand
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
