The Government's being urged to relax visa rules, to help sectors like rest homes and horticulture that can't find staff.

Former Immigration Minister Tuariki Delamere told Mike Hosking workers from Pacific Islands should be allowed in, because there's no Covid-19 there.

He says anyone already in New Zealand on a visitor visa ought to be able to work full-time, along with those on student visas, provided they're attending classes.

Delamere says any over-stayer should be allowed to work full-time in those sectors, and people on benefits should be able to work, without their benefit being reduced.

“There big shortages in horticulture and the rest home healthcare situation.”

“I think there’s three areas the government can do, one is allowing workers from Pacific islands because they got no Covid-19 that’s a now brainer.”

“Until such time our boarders re-open… allow any person who is already in New Zealand and on a visitor visa to work unlimited full-time in those sectors.”

“If they are on a Student visa, let them work 40 hours a week as long as they attend their classes.”

Another area I think we should look at seriously… in New Zealand we got a lot of people on the benefit, let them take employment in those sectors without any reduction in their benefits.”