The ongoing restrictions on immigration into New Zealand will be one of the biggest challenges for the Canterbury region this year, says the head of the local chamber of commerce.
Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce chief executive Leeann Watson said even before the Covid-19 restrictions on immigration were introduced, Canterbury was already short of workers.
"We really do rely on immigration here in the Canterbury region," Watson said.
"We were short of people before Covid, and with the borders closed, we are significantly short. We've got such a tight labour market. We've got businesses screaming out to get more people.