Occupations removed from shortages list

The recession has spurred changes to Immigration New Zealand's skills shortage list. The changes follow criticism positions were being filled by immigrants, when New Zealand workers are available.

Immigration New Zealand spokesman Andrew Annakin says 44 occupations have been removed from the list of preferred skills, but it does not mean employers are forbidden from recruiting migrants.

He says as long as an employer can prove efforts to recruit a New Zealand worker have been unsuccessful, they are permitted to hire migrant employees.

- Newstalk ZB