27 May 2015 – Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Virginia H. Benavidez, accompanied by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Glenn Joseph Obach, met officials of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) in Wellington on May 21. Present at the meeting were International Strategy and Partnerships Manager Scott McHardy, Visa Services and Immigration New Zealand (INZ) Assistant General Manager Bruce Burrows, Labor Inspectorate Business Operations Support Manager Steve Watson, and International Strategy & Partnerships Senior Advisor Jessica Russell.

Mr. McHardy, together with the INZ and Labor Inspectorate officials, welcomed Ambassador Benavidez and shared and exchanged views on the increasing numbers of and preference for skilled Filipinos in the rebuild and reconstruction of Christchurch and the dairy and health care sectors, and the collaborative efforts among relevant Philippine and New Zealand government agencies for the equitable treatment, and the proper deployment and smooth entry of Filipinos to New Zealand. Subsequent discussions and interactions focused on updates on arrangements being worked out between New Zealand’s and Philippines’ labor officials for country specific provisions for the recruitment and deployment of Filipino skilled workers to New Zealand and responsive to the skilled manpower needs of New Zealand and at the same time consistent with core employment policies and practices of both countries.

Ambassador Benavidez thanked the MBIE officials for their invaluable assistance and continuing cooperation, and their accessibility and readiness to provide valuable information, advice, help and support in addressing and settling issues arising from the work and stay of Filipinos in New Zealand. “The Philippine Embassy’s continuing active engagement with the relevant agencies and authorities in New Zealand is vital to the collective efforts of both countries to ensure the welfare and well-being of Filipinos staying and working in New Zealand,” Ambassador Benavidez stated. END