45874 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Immigration

45874 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Immigration: Does the government’s decisions on HIV testing policy for RSE workers only consider health costs, if so, why?

Hon Erica Stanford: In 2021, under the previous Government, HIV infection was removed from the list of high-cost conditions likely to impose significant costs on New Zealand’s health system. The decision on removing the HIV screening requirement of Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers in 2024 was to make the RSE settings consistent with other temporary visas where the length of stay is less than 12 months, where no testing is required. The RSE review undertaken by the previous Government also concluded that the blanket ban on HIV-positive applicants was discriminatory and had given rise to international criticism.