Due to the shortage of chefs in New Zealand many restaurant owners are struggling to keep their businesses open because the government is also denying foreign chefs work permits. Officials in the hospitality industry have said that this strict work permit policy is affecting the industry and the issue is due to be discussed by the Department of Labor and the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) with representatives from the Hospitality Association of New Zealand (HANZ). Looking at the shortage, now is the perfect time to find chef jobs in New Zealand.
Even if you don’t live there you can still apply for your work permits, as with this problem having gone on for a year, the situation is expected to be resolved soon. Wellington, which has been branded as a culinary destination, is feeling the effects worst of all. According to Tracy Scott, the regional manager for HANZ, there were 28 unemployed chefs in the Wellington region which were brought to her attention at a meeting with the staff of Immigration New Zealand. After approaching them all with job offers, only 2 responded with their resumes.
This problem was further exacerbated by the fact that the Immigration New Zealand Department reply on statistics provided by the MSD, which are not accurate. Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman said he had given “clear direction” that the two organizations needed to communicate clearly.
“It’s not much good Immigration New Zealand saying that MSD is telling them they’ve got suitable people [to fill jobs] and it turns out those people aren’t suitable.”
The main concern is that many restaurants and cafes will have no choice but to close because of the lack of good quality chefs. According to one restaurant owner, the caliber of New Zealand chefs that applied for the job of executive chef was not of a good standard. Obviously the first choice would be to hire a New Zealander, but with the applicants applying who did not have the correct skills or qualifications, the result was to look elsewhere for a great chef. He decided to hire a Serbian chef who is now looking at his Visa not being renewed.
There are many excellent reasons to become a chef in New Zealand, but the main thing that you have to look at is that you are pretty much guaranteed a job when you finish your studies, as there are too few local chefs to go around. If you want to learn more about how to become a chef and to find out what kind of salary you can expect to earn working in the top restaurants, hotels, and cafes, around the world, visit Cruise Job Finder and join as a member. Here you will have access to the biggest database of chef jobs and get tips for applying and writing your resume. Aside from this you will learn about what it takes to live the chef’s life and see if this kind of career is something you would be interested in.
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