4 Jul 2011

List of skills shortages updated

12:35 pm on 4 July 2011

New Zealand has enough optometrists but is still short of other medical specialists, engineers and GPs.

The Department of Labour is updating its list of essential skills which that are in demand and need to be met through immigration.

The department says there are long term shortages for electrical professionals and engineers, along with a long list of medical specialists.

There is also an urgent lack of pig farmers, poultry farmers, bakers, metalworkers, and motorcycle mechanics.