Policy changes making it easier for overseas actors to work in New Zealand are arrogant and out of touch and signal more home-grown job losses, Labour's Immigration spokesperson Ruth Dyson says.

Her comments follow today's announcement by the Government that visa processes have been changed to streamline the system for actors and others in the entertainment industry to work in New Zealand temporarily.

"What that means is that roles in local productions could be filled with overseas performers. It will be open slather.

"We have an immigration process that is supposed to give transparency and protect jobs for Kiwis. Jonathan Coleman has turfed that out the window," Ruth Dyson said.

"Instead he is riding rough-shod over due process and completely undermining what is a critical and internationally recognised local industry."

Arts and Culture spokesperson Steve Chadwick said it had been made abundantly clear that New Zealand would lose its unique and distinctive local voice if the Government didn't support home-grown talent and encourage companies to hire Kiwi performers.

The changes would see Actor's Equity lose its right to object to visa applications.

"With the demise of TVNZ7 we will, in effect, be losing a public broadcaster. This, along with the strife at Downstage, one of the country's longest-running playhouses, is building a perfect storm for our actors and will undoubtedly bring the curtain down on many careers," Steve Chadwick said.