Seasonal Worker Health Insurance
From November 2025, changes to immigration settings for accredited employers in sectors such as forestry, aquaculture and meat processing have reduced many workers’ visas from three years to stays of just seven months. As a result, many seasonal workers are no longer eligible for publicly funded healthcare while they are in New Zealand, leaving them vulnerable to unexpected medical costs.
To support advisers, employers, and their seasonal worker clients, Aon has partnered with an insurer to offer a medical insurance solution that meets immigration requirements for these shorter term visas and helps ensure workers can access the care they need.
What’s Changed
From 8 December 2025, two new seasonal visa pathways, the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) and Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV), sit alongside the existing RSE scheme under the AEWV framework. The PSV brings seasonal employment into meat/seafood processing, forestry, winery cellars, wool handling, calf rearing and relief milking for up to 7 months.
Your insurance obligation
Immigration NZ requires comprehensive health insurance for PSV roles over 3 months. The policy must be evidenced at visa application and cover the full employment period with no gaps. It must include GP and urgent care, hospitalisation, prescriptions, ambulance, rehabilitation, and emergency repatriation (including repatriation of remains in the event of death from any cause).
Aon’s solution – purpose-built for seasonal employers
Why it’s easy
Workers receive an insurance card on arrival and can access treatment at participating clinics nationwide without paying upfront. Pre-approval and advance payment can be arranged for specialist services.