Out of the 6,600 visas approved, nearly half were granted to Indian nurses, emphasizing their prominent role in addressing the healthcare worker shortages in the country.
Out of the 6,600 visas approved, nearly half were granted to Indian nurses, emphasizing their prominent role in addressing the healthcare worker shortages in the country.
New Zealand is experiencing a significant influx of trained nurses. Almost 50 percent of those registered—since the country’s borders reopened in July 2022—hail from India, according to recent data from Immigration New Zealand.
The statistics revealed that out of the 6,600 visas approved by the agency, 3,263 were granted to Indian nurses, emphasizing their prominent role in addressing the healthcare worker shortages in the country, RNZ reported.
Visa options for foreign nurses
Foreign nurses seeking to relocate to New Zealand can secure eligibility through various visas, including accredited employer work visas, skilled migrant visas, resident visas, or straight-to-residence visas.
Since the launch of the accredited employer work visa scheme in July 2022, a total of 3531 visas have been issued, with 2,324 going to Indian nurses and 751 to their counterparts from the Philippines.
Moreover, 1761 straight-to-residence visas have been approved since Dec. 15, 2022, with Indian nurses leading the list at 923 approvals. Skilled migrant visas, amounting to 37, were issued since Nov. 11, 2022, with 16 of them granted to Indian nurses.
During the border closure from March 2020 to July 2022, 1,271 nurses were granted exceptions to travel to New Zealand, aiming to address health worker shortages. Among them, 535 approvals were granted to Philippine nurses, and 271 were issued to Indian nurses.
Addressing workforce shortages
The Labour government, in response to the workforce shortage, implemented measures in July, including increased clinical placements for nursing students.
Additionally, nurses were added to Immigration New Zealand’s green list in April, expediting residency pathways to attract international healthcare workers.
John Snook, Te Whatu Ora’s director of workforce planning and development, reported a significant increase in the number of nurses joining the New Zealand Register of Nurses.
He noted that 4505 new nurses joined the register from July to September, marking a net increase of around 3000 nurses compared to the same period the previous year.
Persistent challenges in the healthcare sector
Despite the positive trend, challenges persist, with Te Whatu Ora highlighting a nationwide shortage of approximately 4,800 nurses.
Kerri Nuku, CEO of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation, concurred, estimating “about 4,000 to 5,000 nurse vacancies” across the country.
Nuku acknowledged the valuable contribution of internationally trained nurses but cited the need to address retirements among existing nursing professionals.
She then called for increased efforts to retain and foster the growth of nurses within New Zealand, citing the competitive allure of countries like Australia, which offers more support, better pay, and incentives for nurses, ultimately drawing talent away from New Zealand.
New Zealand as a preferred destination for Indian students
New Zealand is also increasingly preferred by Indian students for higher education, with 1,600 Indians studying there last year, as per India Today report.
Education New Zealand data revealed a surge in student visa applications, driven by factors such as the high global rankings of New Zealand’s universities, diverse course offerings, affordability with a relatively cheaper New Zealand Dollar, and ample scholarship opportunities.
The appeal is further enhanced by post-study work visa policies, esteemed qualifications, and opportunities in sectors like agriculture, finance, tourism, construction, and retail in the country’s developed economy.
The multicultural environment, safety, and student-friendly policies contribute to New Zealand’s attractiveness for Indian students pursuing quality higher education abroad.
Positive trends in New Zealand’s education sector
According to Education New Zealand, the country’s education sector is exhibiting positive signs of recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on international student numbers.
Despite ongoing border closures, the government agency responsible for promoting New Zealand to foreign students reports that international student enrollment has now reached approximately two-thirds of pre-pandemic levels.
Expressing optimism, Geoff Bilbrough, Education New Zealand’s marketing and communications general manager, noted significant progress since the border reopened in August of the previous year.
Currently, there are around 30,000 to 35,000 international students in New Zealand, with concerted efforts underway to bridge the gap and regain previous student numbers.
Bilbrough emphasized the diverse origins of international students, with a substantial proportion coming from China and India.
Global interest in ANZ unis
Moreover, results from the QS International Student Survey indicate a substantial interest among international students in pursuing education in Australia and New Zealand.
The survey, comprising insights from over 116,000 prospective students worldwide, revealed that over 43,300 students express a desire to study in the ANZ region, underscoring the global reputation of universities in these countries for academic excellence and research innovation.
The survey also highlighted the increasing importance of environmental sustainability in university choices, with 43 percent of respondents prioritizing this factor.
Additionally, the survey underscored the crucial role of employment opportunities after graduation in shaping international students’ preferences.
Nearly half of the respondents prioritize graduate employment rates, with 45 percent expressing interest in temporary stays after graduation.
“Sixty-four percent of students also expect thorough responses within three days, stressing the importance of prompt and personalized replies.
