Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says New Zealand has apologised to Pacific countries for failing to consult them about changes to income and accommodation policies for RSE workers. 

Stanford revealed in a select committee on Wednesday an apology was made through those countries’ diplomats. 

Late last year, a series of changes were introduced to the RSE scheme. They included lifting a pause on accommodation cost increases and adjusting the application of the 10% above the minimum wage requirement, so it applies to only experienced workers. 

Speaking to the Education and Workforce Committee, Stanford admitted the Government had not consulted with the Pacific-labour sending countries whose residents would be affected by the changes. 

“That was an issue that we had between us and foreign affairs,” Stanford said in response to questions from Labour MP Phil Twyford. 

“My view at the time was that that had been consulted on, and it hadn’t. We have said to the high commissioners that we have apologised for that, and it won’t happen again.” 

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford, seen with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, says there was a miscommunication between officials in terms of consulting with Pacific partners. Photo / Mark Mitchell 

In a statement, Stanford told the Herald there was a miscommunication between officials in terms of consulting with Pacific partners. 

“An apology was made to the relevant high commissioners at the time and a commitment was made to ensure consultation takes place on any proposed future changes,” she said. 

Twyford, Labour’s immigration spokesman, told the Herald the failure to consult was “pretty poor form” and a “gross oversight”. 

“It’s a sensitive issue because the RSE scheme delivers economic benefits for the labor-sending countries like Samoa, for example. 

“But they also try to manage the downsides – that is villages being stripped of their working-age population, losing skilled workers to New Zealand that they need for economic development at home.” 

The RSE scheme gives temporary employment to Pacific workers who can then send their earnings to their communities in the Pacific. 

Labour's immigration spokesman Phil Twyford says the Government’s changes last year meant RSE workers were “taking a lot less money home to their family”. Photo / Mark Mitchell 

The Pacific countries eligible under the RSE scheme are Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. 

Twyford said he was surprised the Government had not given “the basic courtesy of consultation” with the Pacific countries on such an important issue. 

“This shouldn’t be a one-way street. New Zealand doesn’t get to dictate the terms to these countries, they’re sovereign countries, and they’re participating in a scheme that is supposed to be delivering benefits to both sides.” 

Twyford said the Government’s changes last year meant RSE workers were “taking a lot less money home to their family”. 

“These people are leaving their spouses and children, leaving their villages and communities to spend many months in a foreign country working so they can send money back to their families at considerable sacrifice. 

“To not even have the good grace to consult properly with those labour-sending countries, I think it’s pretty poor form.” 

In announcing the changes in August, Stanford said they would reduce costs and compliance for employers, and improve flexibility for RSE workers. 

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said at the time the RSE scheme was central to New Zealand’s relationships in the Pacific and has delivered benefits to everyone involved. 

“New Zealand is committed to supporting Pacific priorities. That is why these changes include broader opportunities for skills development, greater flexibility in visa settings, and pay based on experience.” 

Julia Gabel is a Wellington-based political reporter. She joined the Herald in 2020 and has most recently focused on data journalism.