File photoNew Zealand ski areas have sent an urgent appeal to the government to bring critical international workers into the country ahead of the 2021 ski season. Queenstown economist Benje Patterson said the implications of not securing the workers went beyond the ski areas. "We’re not talking huge numbers of international workers— getting 100 highly-skilled staff across the border will enable Kiwi ski areas to operate." The ski areas’ concerns were shared by Queenstown Lakes District Council, which is supporting the association in its endeavours. "This is now urgent — these workers are sitting in limbo and our industry can’t afford to wait much longer.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 15, 2021 22:07 UTC