29/04/16 - New visa to attract entrepreneurs to NZ

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Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse welcomes a new Global Impact Visa (GIVs) designed to bring innovative, global entrepreneurs to New Zealand.

“Last year the Government committed to considering a new Global Impact Visa to cater for high-impact entrepreneurs, investors and start-up teams to launch global ventures from New Zealand,” Mr Woodhouse says.

“Today’s announcement delivers on that commitment and will attract younger, highly talented, successful and well-connected entrepreneurs who are at the start of their entrepreneurial career and able to establish their ventures in New Zealand.

“GIVs will help meet the Government’s Business Growth Agenda’s innovation and investment objectives by lifting innovation in New Zealand.

“It will also help expand the pool of smart capital by attracting individual investors and entrepreneurs to live here in New Zealand.

“The successful implementation of GIVs will create new jobs through the establishment of new ventures, attraction of smart capital and access to global networks.”

GIVs will initially run as a four-year pilot, and be limited to 400 visas over the duration of the pilot. 

The policy will be delivered by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) in partnership with the private sector. The private sector partner will be selected through an open procurement process and will manage the attraction, selection and integration of the migrant entrepreneurs in New Zealand.

The procurement process for selecting the private partner is due to begin next month.

(Source - Beehive, Michael Woodhouse)

19/04/16 - Are the All Blacks really the best team in the world?

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The All Blacks were named the best sports team in the world today at the Laureus Sports Awards after winning a third World Cup title last year.

It was the side's sixth nomination for the award but first time they've come up with the silverware.

But is the best rugby team really the best 'team' in all sport? The category has been dominated by football teams with nine nations or clubs winning the award since 2000. The All Blacks were the third rugby team to win, behind Past World Cup champions England (2004) and South Africa (2012).

Formula One has produced two winners.

Here's a look at what the other nominees achieved over the past year.

Barcelona

The Spanish football giants won just about everything available to them - including a fifth Champions League.

They also unleashed the Holy Trinity of strikers - Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez - who scored enough goals to keep most teams in corn for a couple of seasons.

For: A lot. What more could one team win, in the biggest sport on the planet. They were robbed.
Against: Nothing springs to mind.

Golden State Warriors

Beat LeBron James' Cavaliers to win the NBA for the first time in 40 years. Turned Stephen Curry into a world star, or maybe Curry turned the Warriors into world stars.

For: The three-point kings hinted that the NBA has a new dynasty.
Against: The NBA is not an international competition.

Mercedes AMG Petronas

Won the constructors' F1 title for a second consecutive year, with world champ Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg totally dominating the series.

For: F1 should be about the drivers but has become team dominated, and Mercedes ruled absolutely.
Against: Image. Filthy rich team domination in F1 isn't actually a good thing, even if it is impressive.

USA women's football team

Won the World Cup for a record third time, with striker Carli Lloyd the tournament star and the wonderfully named Hope Solo the top goalkeeper.

For: The Americans remain at the top despite the growth of women's football around the world.
Against: Unfair? Maybe. But a women's team needs something more compelling to knock over the more glamorous and higher profile male contenders.

British Davis Cup tennis team

The Andy Murray-led Brits won their first Davis Cup in 79 years, beating Belgium in the final. It's the longest interval between titles in Davis Cup history.

For: Not a lot. In this field, one victory in decades doesn't really cut it.
Against: The Davis Cup struggles to rate as a major international event any more - neutrals are largely disinterested.

(Source - NZ Herald)

12/04/16 - Overstayer numbers drop to new low

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Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse welcomes new figures showing the number of overstayers in New Zealand is the lowest this century.

Latest estimates puts the number of overstayers at 10,848 – a considerable decrease of more than 1,300 on the previous estimate of 12,162 in October 2014. The estimated rate of overstaying (the number of overstayers compared with the number of temporary arrivals) is very small by international standards at around 3.5 in 10,000 (0.035%).

“The latest figures show the Government’s focus on improved security at the border and decisive action to deal with overstayers continues to pay dividends,” Mr Woodhouse says. 

“The current estimate is 45 per cent lower than the overstayer estimate a decade ago of more than 20,000. At the same time, removal and deportation costs have more than halved from $3 million in 2005/06 to $1.3 million in 2014/15.

“Better risk profiling during the visa application process, combined with an increased focus on encouraging overstayers to settle their affairs, pay their own costs for departure and leave New Zealand voluntarily has also contributed to the significant decrease in numbers.

“I congratulate Immigration New Zealand on the work they are doing alongside other agencies in ensuring that those who do become overstayers, leave quickly.”

The overstayer factsheet can be found here.

(Source Beehive, Michael Woodhouse)

12/04/16 - Changes put Kiwis first in line for jobs

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Employers will now have to make lower-skilled employment opportunities available to New Zealanders before supporting a work visa to fill the vacancy, says Social Development Minister Anne Tolley and Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse.

Changes came into force this week which mean that employers considering hiring a migrant for a lower-skilled role will now be required to engage with Work and Income at the beginning of the process to ensure there is no New Zealander available to do the job first.

“The Government is committed to getting more New Zealanders into work by ensuring they are first in line for jobs,” Mrs Tolley says.

“We know employers want people with the right attitude, who are resilient and have good people skills, and we want to provide employers with the best candidates.”

“Work and Income will be working closely with employers of low and unskilled vacancies who are looking to hire migrant workers. If Work and Income can’t fill the vacancy, a Skills Match Report will provide employers and Immigration New Zealand with consistent information about the skills required for the job.”

Mr Woodhouse says engaging with Work and Income first ensures employers are connected directly to New Zealanders who are available to do the work and provides greater clarity for employers as to the likely outcome of a visa application before it is made.

“This process is a far more efficient way to ensure employers are satisfactorily testing the New Zealand labour market rather than routinely seeking to employ migrants,” Mr Woodhouse says. 

(Source Beehive, Anne Tolley, Michael Woodhouse)

11/04/16 - Changes to the Essential Skills work visa from 11 April 2016

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Following a successful trial, all low-skilled Essential Skills work visa applications lodged after 11 April 2016 must include a Skills Match Report completed by Work and Income. The Skills Match Report improves certainty for employers and visa applicants and speeds up the visa application process when no New Zealanders are available.

Previously, Immigration New Zealand contacted Work and Income after a work visa application was lodged. If Work and Income advised that New Zealanders were available, this would have a detrimental effect on the visa application processing time and often the outcome. The process did not allow for employers to be put in contact with any suitable New Zealanders identified. By enabling employers to engage with Work and Income before identifying a migrant and supporting a work visa application, employers now have the ability to consider suitable New Zealand jobseekers (if they are available) as well as certainty about the advice provided to Immigration New Zealand.
 
Low-skilled Essential Skills work visa applications will be returned without processing if a valid Skills Match Report is not included. Employers should ensure they identify the correct ANZSCO skill level and engage with Work and Income if required. Vacancies at skill levels 1-3 do not require Work and Income input.
 
Note: This does not apply in Canterbury, where employers must engage with the Canterbury Skills and Employment Hub.

(Source Beehive, Minister of Immigration)

25/03/16 - New Zealand accepts new-old flag

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Prime Minister John Key appeared yesterday to give his speech of defeat, he came out without his signature lapel badge, accepting his flag change dreams were over.

"Obviously I'm naturally a little bit disappointed the flag didn't change," Mr Key said. "You can't be a sore loser about these things."

The fern flag at his house -- there all summer -- gone aswell.

It's still hanging inside his Kumeu office, but it wasn't enough to swing his Helensville voters.

In his electorate, loyal John Key supporters defied his push for a change -- but that doesn't mean he's lost personal support.

Helensville was just one of 65 seats across the country that didn't want a change to the fern design. Just six electorates did-- all of them staunch National seats: East Coast Bays, Tamaki, Bay of Plenty, Ilam, Selwyn, and Clutha-Southland.

Opposed to the idea all along was New Zealand First leader Winston Peters. His reaction: I told you so. "Change didn't honour our history. A lot of people thought it was an enormous waste of money," Mr Peters said.

Labour Party leader Andrew Little agreed. "The process was flawed from the outset and I think that's got under people's skin," Mr Little said.

In the safe blue seat of Invercargill, 60 percent of people voted to keep the Union Jack.

"We're all overjoyed. The whole streets excited," resident David Stockwell said.

Further North in Auckland's plush Mission Bay, it couldn't be more different -- the highest percentage of pro-change votes in the country live here. They just wanted change.

But it's not the case this time. The fern flags that have ended up tattered by wind will be destroyed and the others destined as a historic footnote in the archives at Te Papa.

(Source;Newshub)

21/01/16 - Kiwis concerned over proposed UK immigration policy

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The Government says it will continue to lobby UK ministers over the impact a proposed strict immigration policy might have on Kiwi workers.

An online petition against the policy change is garnering big support among Britons with about 76,000 people signing within six days.

New Zealanders are caught up in the latest major policy change which will see all migrants from outside European Union countries earning less than £35,000 ($74,400) a year not allowed to stay in the country for longer than five years.

Read more:
New Zealanders could be kicked out of UK if they don't earn £35,000

It comes into effect in April.

Today a spokesman for Immigration Minister Murray McCully said they were in conversation with their British counterparts on working arrangements for expat Kiwis.

"New Zealand has raised concerns about the ongoing impact that UK immigration policy has on New Zealanders and we will continue to make representations on behalf of New Zealanders living and working in the UK," he said.

Prime Minister John Key raised immigration issues during his meeting with UK Home Secretary Theresa May last year, as did Mr McCully when he met with UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond earlier in February.

However, the spokesman said he did not think many New Zealanders would be impacted as most were working in the UK on two-year Youth Mobility Scheme or on ancestry visas. Others held skilled work permits and likely to be earning above the income threshold.

There are about 200,000 New Zealanders living in the UK.

The number of Kiwis travelling to the United Kingdom on a long-term basis has fallen from around 18,000 in 2000 to 8500 in 2014, mostly as a result of previous changes which have restricted job opportunities.

A rule change in 2010 required New Zealanders to have a job and a sponsoring employer before they could gain a skilled migrant visa.

London Mayor Boris Johnson has said on several occasions that New Zealanders and Australians should be given the same rights to live and work in the UK as people from the European Union.

Around 40,000 non-EU migrants are anticipated to be affected by the change in policy which targets low-skilled workers who attempt to gain permanent residency, which can be applied for after five years.

(Source NZ Herald)

20/01/16 - New Zealanders could be kicked out of UK if they don't earn £35,000

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A petition opposing a British rule change which will make it harder for migrants on low incomes to stay in the United Kingdom has now collected 70,000 signatures in just a few days.

If the petition collects 100,000 signatures the British Parliament will have to debate the policy, which is expected to capture 40,000 migrants including, potentially, New Zealand expats.

Beginning in April, non-EU migrants earning less than £35,000 ($74,400) a year will not be eligible to stay in the country for longer than five years.

The policy targets low-skilled workers who attempt to gain permanent residency, which can be applied for after this period of time.

Most New Zealanders working in the UK are on two-year working holidays. A large proportion of expats are on ancestry visas, which will not be affected, and skilled work permits, which are likely to be above the income threshold.

New Zealand recruitment agencies said some expats on lower incomes such as teachers or nannies could be affected by the change.

There are about 200,000 New Zealanders living in the UK.

The number of Kiwis travelling there on a long-term basis has fallen from around 18,000 in 2000 to 8500 in 2014, mostly as a result of previous changes which have restricted job opportunities.

A rule change in 2010 required New Zealanders to have a job and a sponsoring employer before they could gain a skilled migrant visa.

In response, some have called for the UK to relax its rules for Commonwealth countries.

London Mayor Boris Johnson has said on several occasions that New Zealanders and Australians should be given the same rights to live and work in the UK as people from the European Union.

New British visa rules

What is changing?

Non-EU migrants working in Britain will be deported after five years if they earn less than £35,000 ($77,400).

Q: When does it come into effect?
A: April 6.
Q: Who will it affect?
A: Teachers, nurses, nannies and students are the most likely to be captured by the policy.
Q: What about Kiwi expats?
A: Possibly a few expats. Most Kiwis travel to the UK on two-year working holiday visas and will be unaffected. Those who can stay for five years or more (ancestry visa holders and skilled workers) are likely to have jobs that meet the earnings threshold.

(Source NZ Herald)

01/12/15 - Interpretation Working Capital EWV

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The Government changed their interpretation in the Entrepreneur Work Visa of the term WORKING CAPITAL

The new interpretation is that applicants are now allowed to include and count all those funds and all those assets that they put into a business towards their business as the investment for which they can claim points. 

The exceptions are:

• Investment in residential property 
• Investment in things for personal use e.g. a family home or car
• Passive funds or passive investments e.g. term deposits
• The salaries paid to the applicant’s family who may be included in the application

(Source INZ)

14/12/15 - Minister praises action against people smuggling

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Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse is praising a Joint Period of Action carried out by New Zealand and seven other countries to deter people smuggling and trafficking in persons.

Law enforcement and immigration agencies from the eight countries conducted separate but co-ordinated activities as part of a Working Group co-chaired by New Zealand and Sri Lanka under the Bali Process. The Bali

Process brings participating countries together to work on practical measures to help combat people smuggling, trafficking in persons and related transnational crimes in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. 

“We recognise that people smuggling and trafficking in persons are significant regional problems that require countries to work together to find regional solutions,” Mr Woodhouse says. 

“New Zealand has already strengthened our legislation to send a clear message to potential people smuggling ventures that New Zealand is not a soft touch and our commitment to combatting these complex crimes is the main reason why New Zealand established the Working Group under the Bali Process.”

During the Joint Period of Action authorities across the eight countries assisted 59 trafficked persons, identified 63 suspects, made 32 arrests, launched eight new investigations and made over 70 enquires to progress current investigations.

“This is the first time countries under the Bali Process have undertaken a Joint Period of Action. The outcomes achieved reflect the shared commitment of New Zealand and other regional partners to disrupt and dismantle these networks.

“We look forward to working again with our regional partners through a similar joint initiative next year.” 

For more information, also see the Regional Bali Process Media Statement:  www.baliprocess.net/

(Source Beehive, Michael Woodhouse)