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How many truck drivers who came under the Transport Sector Agreement have passed the IELTS 6.5 language test as part of their application for residence, broken down by month?

Answered Question 1303 (2026)
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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

Question

  • How many truck drivers who came under the Transport Sector Agreement have passed the IELTS 6.5 language test as part of their application for residence, broken down by month?

Answered by

Hon Erica Stanford

Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Immigration

Answer

I refer the Member to the attached document for truck drivers who have been approved a Work to Residence visa under the Transport Sector Agreement with an IELTs score of 6.5 or above. This English language requirement was put in place by the previous Labour Government when establishing the pathway. There are also language tests other than IELTs that people can use to demonstrate English language proficiency for the purposes of skilled residence applications. These include the Pearson Test of English Academic, TOEFL iBT, and B2 First. Note: Drivers did not necessarily come to New Zealand under the Transport Sector Agreement. Drivers could also arrive through usual work visa channels and apply for a Transport Work to Residence visa when eligible.

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