"Ethnic food outlets are part of the character of the city and region. Those outlets are not able to be provided for by chefs/cooks from the Whanganui population.
"There is a shortage in all the trades - plumbers, electricians, tradesman builders, motor mechanics, diesel mechanics, high level forestry workers. There is also a shortage of manicurists, pedicurists, eyebrow embroiderers and what I refer to as a cook/chef, such as in a Thai or Indian restaurant, where some experience is required."
Mr Robinson says the issues aren't new but he is hopeful there may be some positive immigration policy changes, including conditions that require migrants to move to the regions rather than settling immediately in Auckland or the larger centres.
"Auckland is a natural magnet for people. If I was going to emigrate to Australia or the United States or UK, I would be thinking of Sydney, Melbourne, New York, Los Angeles, London because that's what I know. I wouldn't be thinking of a smaller area because I don't know anything about that.
"I'm hopeful the Minister of Immigration will bring in some regional variations and encouragements. New arrivals would understand requirements for them to stay in an area for four to five years and have told me they are surprised we don't already have those conditions."
Mr Robinson is also seeking a change that would extend the special provision that provides a pathway to residence for some specific groups of people, such as halal workers, in the South Island.
Under the special provision for lower-skilled temporary migrants already in the South Island, eligible people will be granted an initial Work to Residence temporary visa which will make them eligible for residence in two more years provided they stay in the same industry and region. Mr Robinson believes it should also be available for people in a similar situation in the North Island.
"I have been involved for over a decade with workers in the meat industry who provide halal services. They fill an essential gap in the industry that has consistently been unable to be met from within New Zealand. Some have been in New Zealand for more than 15 years.
"Halal workers are critical because without halal certification New Zealand can't export meat internationally to Muslim markets. There are about 240-250 halal workers throughout New Zealand, including those in the South Island, so it's not a huge number.
"They are not regarded as skilled under the immigration rules. The only options they have are to select butcher, which they are not because they don't tick all the boxes for the butcher requirement such as making sausages, serving customers, etc, or slaughterman.
"You can learn to be a slaughterman in about six weeks but you can't learn to be a Muslim.
"I believe ... providing such workers in provincial North Island areas with a pathway to residence will have no effect on net migration figures because they are already here as permanent and long-term arrivals.
"It will not open any floodgate as they will be in niche areas and will not take jobs away from New Zealanders as long term non-availability of New Zealanders is the reason they have continued to be employed."
