'Eye of the storm': Business owner's fight to keep nail tech siblings in country

A Whangārei-based beauty salon owner faces a potential crisis as she struggles to retain her Vietnamese-born siblings, who are essential to the operation of her business. Anna Vu, owner of AV Beauty Spa, has expressed concerns over the impending expiration of her two younger siblings' work visas, which will end in early December next year. Without legal status, the siblings may be forced to leave the country, jeopardizing the stability of her business. Vu has operated AV Beauty Spa in Whangārei for 12 years and has long faced challenges in finding qualified nail technicians and beauty professionals. To address this, she brought her three siblings, born in Vietnam, to New Zealand to assist with the business. The siblings, who grew up in poverty and lost their mother at a young age, were separated due to financial hardship and their father’s inability to care for them. They reunited in 2018, marking the first anniversary of their father’s death. Vu described the reunion as one of her greatest hopes, believing that working together could strengthen both their family and her business. Vu suffers from lupus nephritis, a condition that requires her to manage her health carefully. Her older sibling secured residency through the 2021 resident visa pathway, but the two younger siblings remain on temporary work visas. Their situation is complicated by the lack of proficiency in English, which makes them ineligible for permanent residency under current immigration rules. Vu has reached out to her local Member of Parliament, Shane Reti, seeking assistance in navigating these barriers. In her letter to Reti, Vu emphasized how the ability to work alongside her siblings has been deeply meaningful. She noted that the siblings contribute significantly to the business, offering skills, trust, and reliability that are hard to replace. With recent investments in expanding the salon to accommodate ten staff members, including her siblings, Vu fears that losing key personnel could destabilize the business. She has been actively recruiting new staff but found that many trained professionals prefer to start their own ventures rather than work for others. Vu explained that her siblings pay taxes, receive fair wages, and are willing to work during demanding hours, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays. She lamented that local workers often avoid such schedules, making her siblings invaluable. “My concern is that I am being asked to replace people who are already trained, trusted, productive and fully integrated into our business with workers whom I simply cannot find locally,” she said. Reti’s office advised Vu to consult with an immigration expert or attorney. Immigration adviser Katy Armstrong of Into NZ Immigration acknowledged the complexity of the case. While the English requirement is a hurdle, she noted that only the minister can waive it, and such decisions are made cautiously. Beyond language, Armstrong highlighted broader issues affecting the nail technology sector. It is listed among Immigration New Zealand’s “red list” of high-risk roles, limiting access to residency pathways for non-degree holders. Armstrong pointed out that the designation reflects concerns over workplace conditions and labor practices in certain industries. Despite these restrictions, she affirmed that Vu’s situation is valid and understandable. However, the path forward remains uncertain, especially given the limited options available to individuals in high-risk sectors. As Vu prepares for the upcoming changes, the outcome of her efforts will determine whether her business can continue operating as it has for the past decade.