The two charts below capture the numbers of work visas given for each of the occupations shown (only those with 200 or more approvals are shown).

First, the letters e to l  (there were 51 economist approvals by the way).  There aren’t the big and egregious examples we’ve seen in some of the other charts, but one has to wonder about the number of fast food cooks, the kitchen-hands, motel receptionists, hairdressers, and hospitality workers.

And then, finally, the letters m to p.  Nannies, personal assistants, massage therapists, personal care assistants, and even office managers raised a few questions.  And I shouldn’t pass over ministers of religion.  I’ve been in a parish that imported a British vicar, and I’m always surprised at the number of New Zealand parishes that advertise vacancies in the British Anglican weekly I subscribe to

That completes the trip through the alphabet.  I think my point –  that there are very large number of not very highly-skilled positions for which work visas are being granted, often as “Essential Skills –  has been made, but I might try to bring some of the numbers together in a slightly more aggregated way next week.