13/12/20 - Māoriland: New Zealand's forgotten name

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Analysis - In 2015, New Zealand's Parliament was in the middle of a fierce debate to change a part of our heritage, the national flag. But 110 years earlier, there was an argument over an even more fundamental part of NZ identity. Our name.

Musings in Māoriland was a collection of poetry by Thomas Bracken, author of NZ’s national anthem.

It was 1895 and the radical liberal MP Patrick O'Regan took the floor of Parliament with a proposal to ditch "New Zealand" in favour of a new name.

Read more: 13/12/20 - Māoriland: New Zealand's forgotten name

09/12/20 - Immigrant workers are more reliable and twice as productive as other workers

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OPINION: The Government has brought in a $1000 work incentive and is loosening entry restrictions in a bid to tackle the country’s labour shortage for fruit picking.

But has the crisis caused by the border lockdown exposed a key reason that the industry relies on cheap immigrant labour?
Kiwis applying for jobs have reported low pay and poor conditions.

Rather than handing out tax money, should the industry be told to increase pay, improve conditions and be better employers?

Read more: 09/12/20 - Immigrant workers are more reliable and twice as productive as other workers

27/11/20 - Breaking News - Govt to allow 2000 horticulture workers ...

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Govt to allow 2000 horticulture workers in from Pacific under strict conditions.

The government has offered help to the under-pressure horticultural sector by allowing 2000 Registered Seasonal Employer, or RSE, workers in to help pick fruit and vegetables this summer.

Read more: 27/11/20 - Breaking News - Govt to allow 2000 horticulture workers...

24/11/20 - Efforts under way to fill overseas student quota ...

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Efforts under way to fill overseas student quota for border exemption

Officials are trying to allow dozens of overseas masters students into this country under a new border exemption announced by the government last month.

Read more: 24/11/20 - Efforts under way to fill overseas student quota...

20/11/20 - Breaking news - Critical health worker ...

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Critical health worker entry deadline extended

Read more: 20/11/20 - Breaking news - Critical health worker...

17/11/20 - Government looks to minimise costs of tourism to New Zealanders

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The new Tourism Minister has announced New Zealanders will no longer subsidise international visitors to the extent they have in the past.

Stuart Nash gave his first speech as Tourism Minister at Tourism Summit Aotearoa at Te Papa in Wellington. Stuart Nash has unveiled four key themes he will focus on to a sold out crowd at Tourism Summit Aotearoa in Wellington this morning.

They include strengthening Brand New Zealand, prioritising sustainability, and more partnership between government and industry.

Read more: 17/11/20 - Government looks to minimise costs of tourism to New Zealanders

13/11/20 - Breaking News - Continued deferral of WHS

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We understand many migrants are interested in Working Holiday Schemes (WHS).  

New Zealand has Working Holiday Scheme agreements with many countries. Visas granted under these schemes allow visa holders to work, study and explore the country.

Read more: 13/11/20 - Breaking News - Continued deferral of WHS

04/11/20 - Immigration: Labour manifesto signals significant changes to border

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Labour's manifesto signalled an overhaul of partnership visas, reducing barriers to the parent category and reviewing Pacific immigration.

Migrant groups are looking ahead to what changes the new Labour government will make to border and visa rules.

Read more: 04/11/20 - Immigration: Labour manifesto signals significant changes to border

02/11/20 - Jacinda Ardern's new Cabinet revealed

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Jacinda Ardern's new Cabinet revealed, Grant Robertson named as Deputy PM

Grant Robertson has been named as deputy Prime Minister and Andrew Little as Health Minister.

And after later term's KiwiBuild fiasco, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern demoted Phil Twyford - who will be a minister outside Cabinet, with the disarmament portfolio. Jenny Salesa has also been dropped from Cabinet and the executive.

Other new roles of note include Nanaia Mahuta in Foreign Affairs, the first woman to hold the role in New Zealand's history, Chris Hipkins in a new role as Minister for Covid- 19 Response, and newcomer Ayesha Verrall being elevated straight into Cabinet.

Read more: 02/11/20 - Jacinda Ardern's new Cabinet revealed

29/10/20 - Job search services for skilled migrants

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Immigration New Zealand has extended its newcomer skills matching and job search services to skilled migrants who have lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Read more: 29/10/20 - Job search services for skilled migrants