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NEWS
A variety of immigration, business and general news articles taken from New Zealand newspapers, websites and other sources (sources are mentioned at the bottom of each article) and selected by Terra Nova Consultancy Ltd. It may assist the reader being more or less up-to-date what is happening in Aotearoa, "the Land of the Long White Cloud". Happy reading, enjoy ... and if you have any questions on these updates - please contact us...
Newest article always on top.
Oct
16
13/10/07 - Tougher criteria for immigrants to bring family members to NZ
Saturday October 13, 2007
Some immigrants who want to bring additional family members to New Zealand will face tougher rules under changes announced yesterday.
Under the changes, immigrants must be earning around $30,000 a year to sponsor parents to live here. Previously there was no threshold. They must also guarantee to support them for five years - three years longer than is currently the case.
Under the changes, people wishing to bring a partner to New Zealand also face a tougher character test.
Other changes include:
* Allowing multiple entry visas for parents and grandparents, making it easier for them to visit family in New Zealand.
* The withdrawal of the existing Family Quota category.
* Establishing quota places for parents (3100-3400), adult children (250-350) and adult siblings (1100-1250).
Immigration Minister David Cunliffe said the changes made it easier to bring family members to New Zealand to visit, but tightened up criteria for residency. "Parents and grandparents play a key role in family life. The new policies will make it easier for family from offshore to visit," he said.
"Enhanced character and sponsorship requirements ensure a transparent and sustainable family residence programme."
Mr Cunliffe said there would be no change to the overall distribution of different categories within the immigration programme with 60 per cent of places remaining available for skilled migrants, 30 per cent for family and 10 per cent for humanitarian placements.
(Source NZPA)
Oct
12
11/10/07 - Change to household goods rules
Thursday, October 11, 2007
?The rules around the duty-free entry of household goods will change from 15 November. People who hold long-term temporary visas (such as long-term business and work to residence visas) will not have to pay any Customs duty on their baggage and effects, including ships, aircraft, motor vehicles, and household effects.
Oct
11
05/10/07 - Refugee Family Support Category Registration Form
Friday, October 05, 2007?
The Refugee Family Support Category has replaced the previous Refugee Family Quota ballot system. Tier one registrations under the new policy will be accepted for entry into the tier one queue on and from 12 November 2007.
Oct
03
02/10/07 - Immigration earns the Country over $3 billion
Research shows that new Kiwis boosted New Zealand’s coffers to the tune of $3.3 billion in the year to 30 June 2006, Immigration Minister David Cunliffe announced today.
Migrants contributed $8.1 billion in income tax, GST and excise duties, far outweighing the $4.8 billion New Zealand spent on education, health and welfare for our new kiwis.
“Immigration ensures that our employers can access the much-needed skills they need for economic growth, and migrants also bring in links to export markets, investment, ideas and diversity.
“The Settlement Strategy that I launched in July has enlisted the support of 16 central government agencies to ensure that these valuable migrants are given all the help they need to settle and contribute to New Zealand,” said Mr Cunliffe.
The research report, The Fiscal Impacts of Immigration, showed that the positive impact from migrants has grown about 80% from previous research done in 2003 which showed a net fiscal impact of $1.7 billion.
“The net fiscal impact per head for recent migrants rose nearly 35% from 2002 to 2006, which is evidence that our migrants are making a strong contribution to our economy, and that our immigration policies are attracting exactly the migrants we want,” said Mr Cunliffe.
“We are building up a picture of just how much immigration contributes to the wellbeing of all New Zealanders,” said the Minister. “We know that in general employers are impressed with the performance of their migrant staff, and we know that most migrants are happy to be here, and say they would recommend New Zealand to friends and family overseas.
“Our migrants are hard workers, and research I released earlier this year showed that migrants were much less likely to be on a welfare benefit than their Kiwi-born neighbour”.
The research is part of a three-year series of work by the Department of Labour into the economic impacts of immigration.
“This research will be fed into decision-making about future immigration policies and will be an important source of information for future economic planning in New Zealand.”
The research showed that Auckland gets the biggest boost from migrants as 45% of all migrants live there. But over time migrants move out of Auckland and Christchurch and spread around New Zealand.
The report uses the latest Census data which showed New Zealand has a migrant population of almost one million people.
“Migrants from all over the world play a vital role in the economic transformation and wonderful diversity of this country. In the long term that role is set to increase in the future as our need for skilled, talented people continues,” said Mr Cunliffe.
Oct
02
28/09/07 - Border security unit fails to measure up
An independent review of a key border security unit has raised doubts about its ability to detect unwelcome immigrants.
The Immigration Profiling Group was set up in 2005 after NZ First leader Winston Peters complained that former high-ranking Iraqi government officials had been able to enter New Zealand. It sifts through applications coming from people living in a list of 23 high-risk countries, and is supposed to alert immigration authorities.
But a PricewaterhouseCoopers report on its work says about 90 per cent of its staff do not have appropriate levels of security clearance. Some of them had not previously worked for the Immigration Service, or had less than six months' experience with it.
The report, released last night, says the Immigration Service's risk management structure "appears fragmented and inefficient" with its functions spread across different units.
"Each of these groups contain some element of profiling and risk management, which might be more effectively and efficiently consolidated, thereby taking advantage of economies and effectiveness of scale," it says.
The review also found problems with the research library the unit uses, saying there was confusion over roles and lines of communication.
Immigration Minister David Cunliffe last night said he was going to ensure steps were quickly taken to deal with the issues raised in the report.
Mr Peters said the report showed the unit was "an underfunded shambles" which left New Zealand nearly as badly exposed as it was before it was formed.
- NZPA
Oct
02
01/10/07 - Your rights: NO work permit grounds for firing
I employed someone who had a work permit to work in New Zealand. I've always known about their work permit and that it was due to expire last month so the last few months I have asked her many times if she has applied to extend it. She seemed to be waiting until the last minute to do it. She has finally admitted to me today that her work permit has lapsed and her new application has not been considered yet. Can I dismiss her for not having a work permit? Can I get in trouble for continuing to employ her?
These sorts of issues are becoming more common as New Zealand employers look to overseas workers to meet their skills shortages.
The short answer is you may be able to dismiss the employee if she no longer has a legal right to work in New Zealand. There could be consequences for you if you continue to employ someone not entitled to work in New Zealand. But first you need to follow a proper process to investigate her right to work and you should consider alternatives to dismissal.
You should start by properly investigating her right to work under the Immigration Act. If it appears she has no right to work at present, you could invite her to a disciplinary meeting about her right to work. You should tell her all the information you know about her right to work and invite her to bring any information she has, and a support person or representative.
You need to tell the employee that the outcome of the disciplinary process may be her dismissal.
At the meeting you need to properly explain the information you have and give her a chance to respond to it and give her own information. You need to properly consider what she tells you.
In this situation, you may want to consider alternatives to dismissal. For example, you could offer to agree to a suspension from work until her renewal application is considered. This would be on the basis that she can return to work if her work permit is renewed. If it is not, you will hold a further disciplinary meeting, the outcome of which may be her dismissal.
If you do decide to dismiss due to ineligibility to work in New Zealand, then you must give the employee the usual notice in the employee's employment agreement. This is OK, as under the Immigration Act it is not an offence to continue to employ a person during their notice period.
But if you do nothing there could be consequences for you. Continuing to employ someone you know is not entitled to work in New Zealand is an offence under the Immigration Act. The penalty is a fine not exceeding $50,000.
For the future, you may wish to cover immigration status in your employees' employment agreements. You could require non-resident employees to tell you about, and keep you informed of, their immigration status. You could say that wilful breach of the obligation is serious misconduct. This might allow you to dismiss without notice.
(Source Rani Amaranathan, solicitor in the employment team of transtasman law firm DLA Phillips Fox)
Sep
28
25/09/07 - NZ top source of immigrants to Australia
Tuesday September 25, 2007
More Kiwis are hopping across to Australia than any other nationality, according to the latest statistics.
New Zealand is now the number one source of immigrants to Australia.
In an announcement that is sure to spark more debate on the brain drain from New Zealand, Australia announced overnight that New Zealand has overtaken Britain as the largest source country for permanent migrants to Australia.
Departmental statistics released by Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews show arrivals from New Zealand reached 23,906 last year, up from 19,033 the previous year. The number of UK migrants remained steady at 23,223 during 2006-07. Together, New Zealand and the UK accounted for one third of all settler arrivals.
According to Australian Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews, the number of UK migrants remained steady at 23,223 in 2006-07.
"Together, New Zealand and the United Kingdom accounted for 33.6 per cent of all settler arrivals.
"Our migration programme is focused on skilled migration to ensure that new arrivals can join the work force and integrate quickly into Australian society.
Mr Andrews said his government feels that it is "essential new migrants bring skills to contribute to the work force and a commitment to integrate into the community."
The next largest source countries were India, China and the Philippines, with the number of migrants from each country increasing last year compared with 2005-06.
(Source AAP)
Sep
25
22/09/07 - Brain drain losses a worry: economist
Saturday September 22, 2007
The loss of skilled New Zealanders overseas is still a concern, despite a net gain in migrants coming here.
New Zealand's net gain of 750 long-term and permanent migrants last month was the year's largest, but the loss of skilled New Zealanders overseas was a concern, an economist says.
The seasonally adjusted monthly gain compared with 470 people in July, Statistics New Zealand said yesterday. But the annual gain of 8730 was down from 12,490 for the previous year to August, and was the smallest increase in annual net permanent and long-term migration for the past 12 months as more New Zealanders left to live elsewhere.
Migration gains peaked in the year to May 2003 at 42,500 and were a strong factor in pushing economic growth, including in the strong housing market.
Citigroup economist Annette Beacher said the rapid decline in migration outflow had stalled. "We await the next few readings to determine if a fresh upswing is under way, or if it turns sour and net outflow becomes evident into 2008."
Net annual migration gains bottomed out in late 2005 at around 6000 because of tightened immigration rules, a fall in the number of foreign students studying in New Zealand, fewer New Zealanders returning home and more moving overseas. They recovered gradually until they hit 14,757 for year to last November, and have since tailed off.
The number of New Zealanders leaving to live in Australia accelerated to 25,940 in August, the largest annual net outflow since late 2001. "While 'professionals' are still offsetting the net outflow in other skill sets, even professional migrant inflow is the lowest in five years ... and continues to head south," Beacher said.
"The well-documented 'brain drain' of 2000-2001 was a rush out the door from all skill sets ... could we see a repeat? More policy response in this area is urgently required."
The tourism industry remained resilient, with a 6 per cent rise in short-term visitor arrivals for the month to 164,800 despite the strong New Zealand dollar. The increase was caused mainly by a 12 per cent rise in the number of visitors from Australia, following a 15 per cent increase in July.
In the year to August, there were 2.473 million visitor arrivals, up 4 per cent from the previous year.
Visitors from Australia, China and Britain contributed most of this increase. However, there were fewer visitors from Japan and the United States.
The aftermath of the coup in Fiji is affecting tourism - trips there were down 10,500, or 10 per cent, in the year to August and falling to below 100,000 for the first time since 2004.
(Source NZPA)
Sep
13
13/09/07 - Migrant labour fills hospitality workforce gaps
Thursday September 13, 2007
Migrant labour fills hospitality workforce gaps while many hospitality workers struggle with language and numeracy skills.
Your waiter this evening is probably a woman aged over 25 years, may well have not been born in New Zealand, and could have difficulty adding up your bill, research released by the hospitality industry shows.
Hospitality had seen unprecedented growth in recent years, with 20 per cent more people employed in the sector than five years ago, Hospitality Standards Institute chief executive Steve Hanrahan said.
A survey of the make-up of the industry showed restaurants and bars had become more reliant on migrant labour than ever, with one in three hospitality workers born outside New Zealand - up from a quarter of all workers in a similar study in 2001.
An employers survey released alongside the labour force research showed the impact of migrant workers was generally seen as positive, but that training opportunities needed to be made available for such workers, especially if English was not their first language.
"Ineffective delivery of workplace programmes has not adequately addressed language barriers and the resultant miscommunication that occurs. Industry is keenly aware of the need to develop streamlined and effective language training for staff that require it," the report said.
Employers also said a drop in basic numeracy and literacy skills was a major issue for all workers in the industry.
"It was noticed particularly in key practical areas like recipe multiplying or bill summary ... many workplaces are finding it hard to rely on staff to perform simple numeracy and literacy tasks," the report said.
Well served
* Almost 136,000 people worked in hospitality last year, 6.4 per cent of the workforce: 62 per cent are women, 51 per cent are full-time, 49 per cent part-time and 40 per cent are aged under 25.
* 45.7 per cent work in pubs, cafes and restaurants. 24.4 per cent work in accommodation, with the remainder in takeaways, catering and clubs. Almost half have only school qualifications, and 20 per cent have no qualifications.
* Nearly 21,000 businesses make up the hospitality industry.
(Source NZ Herald Mike Houlahan)
Sep
11
10/09/07 - Seasonal labour scheme sealed
Friday, September 07, 2007
Transitional arrangements towards the implementation of the Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme have been signed off following consultation between Department of Labour officials, industry, and unions.
6 September 2007 Media Statement
Seasonal labour scheme sealed
(Embargoed until 12 noon on 6 September 2007)
Transitional arrangements towards the implementation of the Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme have been signed off following consultation between Department of Labour officials, industry and unions.
Announcing the transitional policy, Immigration Minister David Cunliffe said: “I am delighted at the broad support for this initiative from New Zealand’s horticultural and viticultural industries. “The RSE recognises the need to underpin progress towards high-quality production through the development of a sustainable and appropriately skilled seasonal workforce. “The input of the industry, unions and officials has produced a constructive win-win result.
“Policy requires that, wherever possible, Kiwis are employed first. But the growth of the sectors and the strength of the economy have meant a tight labour market. To date indications of worker uptake under the RSE exceed expectations. “However the Government has listened to and recognised the valid questions,
particularly of some smaller employers and growers, around adjusting to the RSE requirements in the short term.
“This Transitional Recognised Seasonal Employer Policy is designed to meet those needs for employers committed to transition into RSE,’’ Mr Cunliffe said. The scheme will see the introduction of Regional Transition Facilitators; institute a transitional work permit policy for periods of up to four months; will allow visitors to work for up to six weeks; and grant an extra three-months stay to Working Holiday Scheme workers in the horticulture and viticulture industries
.
Horticulture New Zealand CEO Peter Silcock said: “Horticulture New Zealand, along with our industry partners New Zealand Winegrowers, Pipfruit NZ and Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated, are satisfied industry’s concerns have been heard.’’ “We are optimistic that these new policies will go a long way towards easing the concerns of growers,’’ Mr Silcock said.
Sep
04
04/09/07 - Schools losing out
Tuesday September 04, 2007
Schools losing foreign students in face of rivalry from abroad. The number of foreign fee-paying students at schools has plummeted by about 37 per cent over five years, new figures reveal.
According to the Ministry of Education statistics snapshot of last year, 9645 overseas students were in New Zealand schools. A further 72 were here on a New Zealand International Aid and Development Agency scholarship.
That is a drop of 8.2 per cent in a year of foreign fee-paying students - a lucrative source of extra income for schools.
When tertiary institutions were included, the fall was 14.6 per cent in a year.
Over five years, the number at schools fell by more than a third, down from 15,440 in 2002. Education New Zealand chief executive Robert Stevens said the competition for overseas students had risen dramatically in the past three years.
The drop in the number of students from China dwarfed rising interest from other countries, he said.
"We had a big bubble starting in 2002 and 2003, simply because New Zealand was the first to open up or relax immigration policies," said Mr Stevens. "Now we've got a very intense competition with Australia and just about every other country [for students] in China."
Mr Stevens said the sector was responding by diversifying the type of students it attracted and increasing marketing in other countries. It ran a $200,000 poster campaign in Seoul, South Korea, on 16 bus shelters, 25 taxi shelters and 1350 subway train carriages on three high-volume lines. Mr Stevens said the three-month campaign, which ran from April, was being analysed before possible replication in other countries.
The value of the sector had decreased to around $1.9 billion, from a short-term peak of $2.2 billion.
Mr Stevens said the drop was not as dramatic as the figures might suggest as the mix of students had changed, including a rise in higher-value post-graduate students.
The Government figures showed the most foreign fee-paying students in schools came from South Korea last year, with 4503 students. Japan was next with 1384 students, then China with 1153.
Auckland schools attracted the largest share of foreign fee-paying students: 4790.
The data also gave a more general snapshot of education last year. It showed almost 1.3 million enrolments at educational institutions on July 1 last year, a slight drop of 0.6 per cent on a year before.
CLASS CONTEST NZAID scholarship and foreign fee-paying students
2002: 15,440
2003: 17,574
2004: 14,543
2005: 11,369
2006: 9,717
(Source Martha McKenzie-Minifie NZ Herald)
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