Immigration New Zealand could have done more to minimise abuse of the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme.
That admission from the country's top public servant in the wake of a critical independent review of the programme.
Post COVID-19, the scheme made it easier for accredited employers to bring migrant workers into the country once the business was deemed a good employer and valid business.
However, the Immigration Minister at the time, Andrew Little, was forced to launch a review after a whistle-blower alleged employer checks weren't being done.
The review released today has found immigration bosses ignored staff concerns about the scheme.
For a year, there was an increased risk of exploitation by unscrupulous agents and employers.
145 employers have now had their accreditation revoked and 53 have had their accreditation suspended.
174 active investigations on Accredited Employers underway.
May Moncur, an employment law advocate speaks to Lisa Owen.
