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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.
Aug
22
21/08/07 - Population keeps on growing
Tuesday August 21, 2007
New Zealand's population has increased by another 43,400 people in the past year. However, the year's growth was just lower than the average annual increase of 43,800 recorded since June 1997.
Data from Statistics New Zealand found the population increased by 1 per cent from 4,184,600 in June 2006 to 4,228,000 in June 2007.
Acting government statistician Cathryn Ashley-Jones said the growth was mainly due to the increase of births over deaths of 33,300 people. The rest was accounted for by permanent and long-term arrivals exceeding departures by 10,100 people.
The median age for men was 35.3 years, up 2.8 years per cent from 10 years ago. For women it was 36.9 years, up 2.9 years from 10 years ago.
- NZPA
Aug
21
20/08/07 - Fall in new migrants
Monday August 20, 2007
More people are leaving New Zealand, than are arriving.
9000 people shifted to New Zealand in the year to July, the first time it has been below 10,000 since the March 2006 year.
The reduction could be another indicator that the economy is slowing, with new long term arrivals seen as boosting the economy as they set up households.
Publishing the figures today, Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) said there was a net outflow of 29,500 New Zealand citizens in the year ended July, the highest in a July year since a net outflow of 40,800 in 2001.
Non-New Zealand citizens recorded a net inflow of 38,400 in the July 2007 year, the highest since the July 2003 year.
Seasonally adjusted, there was a net permanent and long term arrivals inflow of 400 last month.
The series had varied around that level since January, having generally been above 1000 for the months from December 2005 to December 2006, SNZ said.
For short term overseas visitor arrivals, numbers were up 4 per cent to 173,000, compared to July 2006.
Despite the increase from a year ago, the July 2007 total was still just below the 173,300 visitor arrivals in July 2004, SNZ said.
The increase last month was mainly due to 9700, or 15 per cent, more visitors from Australia. Visitor numbers from the United States were down 2700, or 17 per cent, from Japan they were down 1200, or 12 per cent, and from Korea down 1100, or 11 per cent.
Seasonally adjusted visitor arrivals decreased by 2 per cent between June and July.
For the year to the end of July, 2.46 million visitors arrived, up 87,700, or 4 per cent, from the previous year.
Visitor numbers from Australia were up 49,200, or 6 per cent, from China they were up 19,000, or 19 per cent, and from Britain up 11,200, or 4 per cent.
Numbers from Japan were down 18,500 or 13 per cent.
(Source NZPA)
Aug
21
17/08/07 - Revamp of immigration laws passes first reading
Friday August 17, 2007
A bill revamping immigration laws passed its first reading 111-9 last night.
Immigration Minister David Cunliffe said the bill set clear minimum standards and tightened up international protection, compliance and enforcement, and detention and monitoring. He told Parliament the bill was consistent with the bill of rights.
"This bill is not about facilitation versus security or security at the expense of all else. It is about achieving a balance between the best interests of all New Zealanders and the interests of individuals."
Changes were aimed at clarifying and strengthening border security, and would allow classified information to be used in immigration, refugee, and protection decisions. It would also provide a simplified visa system, more flexible powers to enforce immigration law and the ability to collect and use biometric information.
The rewrite of the 1987 Immigration Act also repeals the controversial part of immigration law used to detain Ahmed Zaoui when he arrived in New Zealand in December 2002 and sought refugee status. The SIS issued a security risk certificate which triggered efforts to deport Mr Zaoui.
Under the new system, immigration officials would still be able to use classified information to remove unwanted immigrants, but they would be entitled to a "non-classified summary" of allegations "where possible".
The Green and Maori parties voted against it.
(Source NZPA)
Aug
11
08/08/07 - Tougher migrant rules 'illegal' (UK)
Wednesday, 8 August 2007
Doctors are among the groups targeted by the scheme.
Tighter rules which could force thousands of highly skilled immigrant workers out of the UK are unlawful and must be scrapped, MPs and peers say. The joint Commons and Lords Human Rights Committee said changes last year to the Highly Skilled Migrants Programme breached human rights. It said thousands offered permanent residence in the UK now faced deportation, contrary to "fairness". But the Home Office said it had to guard against the "risk of abuse".
'Unconstrained power'
The Highly Skilled Migrants Programme (HSMP) was introduced by the government in 2002 to encourage workers such as doctors and scientists to come to the UK, offering them the prospect of the right to permanent residence. More than 49,000 people took up the offer. However, the rules were tightened last year, with new applicants and applicants for visa extensions having to take part in a points-based assessment.
"These changes are patently unfair, truly a case of moving the goalposts during the match" Andrew Dismore MP, Committee chairman
Under this, criteria such as age, English-speaking skills, qualifications and experience of the UK are measured. The committee said many migrants accepted under the original rules would no longer qualify for permanent residency.
They faced the prospect of deportation with their families, despite having made their main home in the UK.
The report criticised the government's use of an "unconstrained power" in the Immigration Act to implement the new regulations.
This was a clear breach of the right to respect for home and family life contained in Article 8 of European Convention of Human Rights. The report said: "The changes to the rules are so clearly incompatible with Article 8, and so contrary to basic notions of fairness, that the case for immediately revisiting the changes to the rules in Parliament is in our view overwhelming."
'Cheating'
The committee's chairman, Labour MP Andrew Dismore, said that while the government was entitled to introduce the changes for new entrants, it was "cheating" on the deal offered to those who had entered under the original rules. He said: "These changes are patently unfair, truly a case of moving the goalposts during the match. "What is being proposed is to cheat on the deal through which people have legitimately made their decisions over their life and livelihood here in the UK.
"The government is entitled to introduce these changes to protect its economic interests for future migrants, but it is not right to pull out the rug from under those who have already given up lives, homes and jobs elsewhere in the world and settled themselves and their families here based - let's not forget - on the huge contribution they make to our country, economically and socially."
Shadow immigration minister Damian Green said: "The underlying problem is that the government has lost control of the immigration system, so has been reduced to making superficially tough gestures.
"In this case, this posturing has backfired because it produces such an unfair result."
A Home Office spokesman said: "The changes were needed to ensure that tougher checks on foreign workers are carried out both here and abroad to guard against the risk of abuse and make sure those on HSMP visas are actually doing highly skilled work."
(Source BBC News)
Aug
10
09/08/07 - Sweeping overhaul for immigration law
Thursday August 09, 2007
A sweeping rewrite of immigration law will overhaul the controversial provisions used to try to deport Ahmed Zaoui.
Immigration Minister David Cunliffe said the new law would streamline the process to remove illegal immigrants and make it easier for desirable migrants to enter New Zealand.
The overhaul of the 1987 Act also modernises the law to keep up with modern technology. This includes the collection of biometric information, which Mr Cunliffe said would be limited to taking photos of New Zealanders at the border to verify their identity. The controversial part of the legislation used to detain Mr Zaoui when he arrived in New Zealand in December 2002 and sought refugee status would be repealed. The SIS issued a security risk certificate which triggered efforts to deport Mr Zaoui.
Mr Zaoui fought the attempt saying he would be tortured or killed if he went back to Algeria, and spent almost two years in prison waiting for his case to be decided as he fought the security risk certificate.
He was declared a genuine refugee in August 2003 by the Refugee Status Appeals Authority and released on bail in December 2004.
The judicial review of the certificate is continuing, with some complaining the process is unfair because Mr Zaoui does not know the exact nature of the allegations against him.
Under the new system immigration officials would still be able to use classified information to remove unwanted would-be immigrants, but they would be entitled to a "non-classified summary" of the allegations "where possible". It also extends the type and source of classified information that could be used against a person - for instance from police and other government agencies.
Deportation procedures which allow for multiple appeals to different bodies will be streamlined with the creation of one body - the Immigration and Protection Tribunal.
Mr Cunliffe said it was the biggest rewrite of immigration law in two decades. "Changes in this bill will clarify and strengthen border security, tighten the law against those who pose a risk to New Zealand's well-being and facilitate the entry of those migrants we want."
The Immigration Bill would also simplify the visa system, overhaul detention powers, give some customs officials the power to search and detain people, without a warrant, for 96 hours, bring New Zealand into line with international conventions and treaties, and allow for more information sharing between Immigration and other government departments.
Mr Cunliffe said he had indications from National that they would support the bill.
Prime Minister Helen Clark said the laws around the issuing of security certificates had needed changing.
"It's clearly proved to be pretty unworkable in practice leading to prolonged litigation and procedural wrangles," Helen Clark said. "The hope is that with this major new rewrite of the Immigration Act we can get some better procedures."
National Party immigration spokesman Lockwood Smith said the law needed to be updated. "Moves that will strengthen our border security and give immigration officials greater powers to access information are all improvements on the current system," he said. "But perhaps the most critical part of the bill surrounds the use of classified information."
Dr Smith said changes would mean false refugee claims could be dealt with quickly which would save costs like those incurred in the Zaoui case.
New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters, who has long called for Mr Zaoui to be detained, said he supported the legislation even though it did not go far enough. Mr Peters said immigration officials should be split away from the Department of Labour because if its poor record in the area.
Green MP Keith Locke said Mr Cunliffe seemed to have "weakly granted" his officials a wish list of extended powers to search, enter and detain without a warrant. The new rules over classified information had been made too broad and it was too easy to keep them secret.
Border control
* Changes to the Immigration Act simplify the visa system, overhaul detention powers and give some customs officials the power to search and detain people, without a warrant, for 96 hours
* Officials can still use classified information to remove unwanted would-be immigrants, but newcomers can obtain a "non-classified summary" of the allegations "where possible".
(Source NZPA)
Aug
08
31/07/07 - New look forms and guides
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
The Immigration Services have redesigned and rewritten the application forms and guides used to apply for visas and permits to study in New Zealand. Please ensure that these new forms are used. The new guides are also available now.
Need help? Then please contact TNC
Jul
11
10/07/07 - Policy changes for 30 July 2007
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
A number of key policy changes will come into effect on 30 July 2007. These changes are as described below. Please contact TNC for further information.
Residence policy changes
There are several changes to the points awarded under Skilled Migrant Category policy.
- Bonus points awarded for skilled employment, recognised qualifications, and work experience in an identified future growth area will increase.
- Bonus points awarded for skilled employment, recognised qualifications, and work experience in an identified cluster will be removed.
- Bonus points awarded for a principal applicant’s partner’s offer of skilled employment in New Zealand will increase.
- The number of years required to be awarded points for work experience in New Zealand will be reduced.
- Separate bonus points will be awarded for a recognised New Zealand qualification and for two years of full-time study in New Zealand.
- Bonus points will be available for a post-graduate recognised New Zealand qualification.
- Bonus points for a principal applicant’s partner’s recognised qualification will increase.
Skilled Migrant Category policy will also be amended to clarify that an Expression of Interest may be selected on the basis of only the principal applicant’s skilled employment in New Zealand (ie not the secondary applicant’s skilled employment).
Under Residence from Work – Talent Policy
There will be an increase in minimum base salary. Applicants must have employment with a minimum base salary of NZ$50,000 per annum if their Work to Residence application is made on or after 30 July 2007.
The salary threshold for applications under Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Policy will increase from $45,000 to $50,000.
The Refugee Family Support Category
This will replace the previous Refugee Family Quota ballot system. Tier one registrations under the new policy will not be accepted until 12 November 2007.
Temporary Entry policy changes
Bulgaria and Romania will be added to the list of countries whose nationals are able to enter New Zealand as visitors, visa free for up to three months.
Student Visas/Permits
Students who are studying part time and are completing a course of study that was undertaken in New Zealand, and is of two years duration, or qualifies for points under the Skilled Migrant Category, will be eligible for a student visa or permit.
English language students who want a variation of conditions (VOC) to their student visa or permit to work part time will be able to meet the English language requirements for a VOC after the initial date of application for a student visa or permit.
Tertiary exchange students who are undertaking a full-time course of study of at least one academic year’s duration will be able to get a VOC to their student visa or permit that to allow them to work part-time.
Partners of students studying towards a qualification on the Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL) will no longer be eligible for open work visas and/or permits; their partner will have to be studying for a qualification specified on the LTSSL.
Receiving offices
A note will be added for Palestinian passport holders: they must lodge applications to the appropriate receiving office for their country of residence.
Skill shortage lists
Both the LTSSL and the Immediate Skill Shortage Lists have been updated, effective 30 July 2007.
Please contact TNC for further information.
Jul
11
10/07/07 - Migration policies are bad for the economy, says academic
Tuesday July 10, 2007
New Zealand's immigration policies attract far fewer skilled migrants than suggested and while good at building new suburbs are bad for the economy, says a Massey University academic.
Dr Greg Clydesdale, an economist who lectures in management and international business, said there was conflict between those who wanted to cut immigration to reduce house price pressure and those who saw the need for skilled immigrants. Dr Clydesdale said the solution would be to cut back on immigrants who did not bring in skills.
Drawing on the Department of Labour's migration trends 2004 data, he said only 15 per cent of immigrants had skills the country needed. Forty per cent came on humanitarian grounds, under the Pacific quota or were sponsored by their family. Dr Clydesdale did not suggest stopping immediate families, but said numbers could be cut in the family sponsorship and humanitarian areas.
He said there was a tendency to believe those coming in under the skilled section were doctors, nurses or engineers who would fuel growth in the economy. "However, a large number of the skills asked for are infrastructure builders to accommodate the population growth that they are fuelling. Alternatively they are people like travel agents and truck-drivers, occupations that add little to long term growth."
The effect was new suburbs emerging, not new industries, which went a long way in explaining New Zealand's poor economic performance. He said the housing spirals in the 1990s and after 2001 were both associated with a rise in immigration.
Lesley Haines, the Department of Labour's group manager workforce policy, said the skilled migrant category was designed to ensure a match between the skills migrants brought and what New Zealand needed. "More than a quarter of approved permanent residence applicants in both of the last two financial years were skilled migrants. The remainder are business people, and the partners of those skilled migrants."
(Source NZ Herald Angela Gregory)
Jul
07
06/07/07 - Migrant reduction puzzles business
Friday, 6/07/2007
The business community is struggling to understand the Government's decision to cut the number of skilled migrants.
Immigration Minister David Cunliffe has announced the migrant target for the coming year will be 45,000 to 50,000 people compared with 47,000 to 52,000 in the past year.
Michael Barnett, CEO of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce says it is an odd move which comes as businesses face a skills shortage and must look offshore for staff. Mr Barnett says the lowered upper limit will add even more pressure on companies.
Marcus Beveridge from the Association of Migration and Investment says if anything New Zealand should be allowing more people to settle.
Jul
06
05/07/07 - Migrant numbers set with economy in mind
Thursday, 5/07/2007
The New Zealand Residence Programme for the coming year has been set in a slightly lower band to take account of the continuing strong economy, says Immigration Minister David Cunliffe.
"The number of migrants being sought under the programme in 2007-08 has been set in the range 45,000 to 50,000," Mr Cunliffe said.
"The range for the 12 months to June 30 was 47,000 to 52,000. Current indications are that about 47,000 people will have been approved for residence during that year."
People who wish to migrate to New Zealand must apply under one of the programme's three residence streams: Skilled/Business, Family Sponsored, or International/Humanitarian.
Each stream is allocated a percentage of the total number of residence places. The Skilled/Business Stream approvals account for 60 per cent, Family Sponsored 30 per cent and International/ Humanitarian 10 per cent.
"As I have said on a number of occasions recently, with the economy strong and New Zealand competing in a global market for skilled migrants, our top priority at present is ensuring we get high quality migrants while not adding to inflationary pressures.
"At the same time, many employers continue to report skill shortages. Migrants with the appropriate skills are an important way to meet those shortages, but there are others.
"This Labour-led government is strongly committed to training New Zealanders, such as with our highly successful Modern Apprenticeships policy.
"Temporary migrants can also be used to fill immediate skill shortages. The government recognises the skill and talent contribution from temporary migrants. In conjunction with our residence programme I have directed the Department of Labour to investigate a range of initiatives to improve employer awareness of, and access to, temporary work policy.
"Immigration temporary work policy is labour market tested, to ensure available New Zealanders are employed before overseas migrants. Improving the accessibility of temporary work policy would help to address skill shortages, but still support the government’s effort in limiting inflationary pressure."
Jul
05
04/07/07 - Changes to our occupational shortage lists
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
The Immediate Skill Shortage List (ISSL) and the Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL) have been amended. These changes will take effect on 30 July 2007.
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