Meat Industry lobbying for halal butcher visas

Meat Industry lobbying for halal butcher visas
MIA sources around 150 halal butchers from offshore. (Image: Alliance)
Rebecca Howard
The Meat Industry Association is lobbying the government to create a special migration visa for halal butchers, arguing the current shortfall in migrant workers is putting $3.3 billion of exports at risk.“We are very disappointed with the immigration reset,” MIA chief executive Sirma Karapeeva told the primary production parliamentary select committee. “Unfortunately, the approach seems to be a one size fits all,” she said.The government has signalled immigration policy changes that could see the country back away f...

More Primary Sector

Beefed-up tariffs on Brazil no threat to NZ’s pricing
Primary Sector

Beefed-up tariffs on Brazil no threat to NZ’s pricing

NZ is a high-value premium producer of beef, as opposed to Brazil.

Northland targets $60b regional economy by 2050
Primary Sector

Northland targets $60b regional economy by 2050

The bullish goal represents a six-fold increase over 2024 figures.

Global meat demand surges, but NZ’s supply is lagging
Primary Sector

Global meat demand surges, but NZ’s supply is lagging

It could be costing NZ hundreds of millions of dollars in lost export revenue.

Riley Kennedy 23 Jul 2025