Aged residential care providers thrilled with Green List news

The Aged Care Association is thrilled to hear that nurses are to be added to the immigration “Green List” fast track, able to apply for residency immediately, including those already in New Zealand.

Association chief executive Simon Wallace says, “This announcement is welcome news for aged care residents, their families, overworked staff and facility owners. At last we can attract the nurses we need to provide the care older New Zealanders need.”

“And it’s welcome news, too, for the migrant nurses who choose to make New Zealand their home. Immediate residency will give them the security they need to settle here.

“We are very pleased that the government has listened and acted on what was becoming a very serious situation. Today the aged care sector just took another step back from the brink.”

“The Association and its members will take time to celebrate but we won’t be resting on our laurels. Next to sort out is improved investment to support home-grown nursing,” Wallace says.