Third-Party Communications

The BCA publishes information received from other industry bodies which are relevatnt to the New Zealand Bus and Coach industry.

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Changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is a new temporary work visa that will replace the Essential Skills Work Visa and Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa, when it launches on 4 July 2022. Employers who want to hire migrants on an AEWV will need to be accredited and submit a job check for relevant roles before they can hire a migrant.

On 3 February 2022, the Prime Minister announced the Government’s plan for reconnecting New Zealand to the world. As part of Step 4, the new Accredited Employer Work Visa will open in July to applications from migrants both in New Zealand and in other countries.

The Prime Minister also announced that, as part of planned Immigration Rebalance changes, a new minimum pay threshold, set at the median wage, will be introduced for the Accredited Employer Work Visa.

For more information Click Here.

The current lack of clarity over New Zealand’s border controls has created carnage in the New Zealand tourism industry. Tourism businesses are holding on by the skin of their teeth. If the government does not provide some certainty on when New Zealand will reconnect with the world many businesses will close and New Zealand’s reputation as a tourist destination will be ruined. The tour and coach sector has been devastated by the pandemic. The BCA supports the TECNZ on working with government and officials through the current challenge, in particular financial support for tour and coach operators who have had little to no income for almost two years. For more information, click here.

Update 79, International Tourism Sector at Risk, 18 February 2022

Second hand bus sales booming

A second-hand bus boom has developed after two years of closed borders and domestic restrictions wrecking havoc on the tour coach sector.

Tour and coach industry continues to suffer despite promise of international tourists

A second-hand bus boom has developed because tour coach companies, which have struggled with closed borders and domestic restrictions for the last two years, are winding down.

February saw a 71 percent increase in the number of buses listed for sale on TradeMe compared to the year prior.

Confusion over Manawatū school bus route change

Halcombe School principal Alastair Schaw said there were previously two school bus runs in the area, which were co-ordinated so high school children were able to catch the primary school bus to Halcombe School, then get a connecting bus into Feilding. But a Ministry of Education review of bus routes took local knowledge out of the decision-making and now the buses weren’t coordinated.

Concern for tourism as third of bus and coach businesses closed during the pandemic

The Bus and Coach Association is concerned there won't be enough operators to transport tourists around when borders start to open.

Association chief executive Ben McFadgen says about a third of the industry had closed because of the pandemic.

Another third of businesses were signalling they might close in coming months, he said.

"Blanket Travel restrictions don't work": UNWTO adds its voice to WHO statement

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has welcomed the call of its sister UN agency World Health Organization (WHO) for restrictions on travel to be lifted or eased.

730 days of pain – and counting. The tourism sector has taken the hit for the team of 5 million. It was the first industry to be affected and will be the last to recover.

COVID-19: No Government cash for Omicron fare slump on public transport

The Government has no plans to revive financial help for public transport, with COVID-19’s Omicron variant expected to bring a new slump in patronage and revenue.