A further review was conducted in 2026. The scope of the review included:
- status/accreditation duration and settings;
- compliance settings;
- Agreement to Recruit (ATR) duration and settings;
- cap and cap allocation;
- visa settings;
- healthcare and insurance;
- worker voice and pastoral care;
- training, upskilling and role differentiation;
- accommodation standards; and
- cost recovery (excluding accommodation).
We submitted on this review twice – April and August. In May, MBIE had signalled to industry that decisions on accommodation would be delayed as further consideration and consultation was necessary.
Our April submission focused on the importance of simplifying the scheme, reducing unnecessary complexity, and ensuring any changes are firmly grounded in existing legislation and good regulatory practice. We emphasised that most employers want to do the right thing and that regulation should not duplicate the protections already in place for workers. We supported a more coherent, risk‑based and graduated approach that provides clarity for employers, proportionate oversight for regulators, and better outcomes for workers.
Our August submission on accommodation standards supported retaining clear RSE-specific minimum standards for room occupancy and toilet and shower provision. For broader wellbeing matters we supported outcome-focused accommodation plans aligned with pastoral care plans. Broader wellbeing matters include bedding, storage, kitchens, laundry, recreation spaces, internet access, cleaning, maintenance and worker feedback.
Read the NZKGI RSE review submissions:
April 2023 submission
April 2026 submission
August 2026 submission – accommodation standards
