Prime Minister John Key unveiled tweaks to immigration rules yesterday that he hopes will result in more migrants and entrepreneurs settling in areas outside Auckland.

Almost half the 10,000 skilled migrants and their families who take up residence each year settle in Auckland and the Government wants to strike a greater balance with other regions.

The Government's changes include:

• Boost in bonus points from 10 to 30 for skilled migrants applying for residence with a job offer outside Auckland;
• Double the incentive to 40 points for entrepreneurs planning to set up businesses in the regions under the entrepreneur work visa;
• Help for employers to find out faster whether New Zealanders can fill a particular vacancy, before they lodge a visa application;
• Provide a pathway for residence for a limited number of long-term migrants on temporary work visas in the South Island.

(Source 3News)