Heavy machinery operators are likely to be among those sought for the new visa.
The government is setting up a new visa to bring in specialist workers from overseas to assist with the rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland floods.
“In the short term, we are likely to need experts such as insurance assessors, infrastructure and utilities engineers and technicians, heavy machinery operators, and debris removal workers to support the experts we’ve already got in country,” Immigration Minister Michael Wood said.
Fees will be refunded for successful applicants.
The visas will only last for up to six months.
But Wood said this announcement was unlikely to change global workforce shortages.
Applications will be fast-tracked by Immigration New Zealand, and the aim is to process them within seven days.
Immigration New Zealand will get additional medical assessors, identity specialists, and other resources to help speed up the visa processing.
Wood is also seeking advice on redeploying Recognised Seasonal Employer workers to help with the recovery.
He acknowledged it would be difficult to house workers arriving from overseas.
