07/12/10 - Ethnic hubs home to entrepreneurs, study finds

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Policymakers are not doing enough to understand ethnic precincts and enclaves, such as Auckland's Asian-style Northcote Shopping Centre, academics from Massey University will tell an immigration conference today.

Sociologists Paul Spoonley and Carina Meares, who have studied two Auckland ethnic precincts - Northcote and Meadowlands near Howick - say it is important to look deeper into these ethnic enclaves because they form a hub of migrant entrepreneurship.

The report, Transforming Space and Place: The Growth of Ethnic Precincts in Auckland, will be discussed at the Pathways, Circuits and Crossroads immigration conference in Wellington.

"[The precincts] provide an access point into unfamiliar business and cultural environments for new migrants, allowing them to operate more easily without extensive local networks and fluency in English," said Dr Meares.

"They also provide migrants with the opportunity to get together, buy familiar products and services, or share a meal and celebrate important cultural events." Professor Spoonley says it is surprising that very little attention is paid to ethnic precincts in light of NZ Immigration's investment in skilled and entrepreneurial immigrants.

He said the study found many migrants became entrepreneurs operating in these precincts because of difficulties in finding jobs and gaining access to mainstream business networks.

"Such precincts epitomise a high level of immigrant entrepreneurship and ethnic retail, food and cultural activity that reflects the establishment of a distinct sub-economy that is markedly different from anything that has previously existed in New Zealand."

The conference, being run by Massey University, the University of Waikato and the Department of Labour will also address policy and economic challenges, economic integration of immigrants and the effect of seasonal migration to New Zealand on households in Tonga and Vanuatu.

(Source Lincoln Tan, NZ Herald)

06/12/10 - Seasonal worker scheme boosts Pacific nations - research

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Research into a scheme that allows Pacific Islanders to work in horticulture and viticulture in New Zealand says it has significant benefits for living standards in some Pacific countries.

The Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme allows growers to provide seasonal work for up to 8000 a year from six Pacific Island nations. The scheme aims to overcome worker shortages in this country and help often poor Pacific states.

About 1200 workers from Samoa are in New Zealand. Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has been visiting some of their employers in Hawke's Bay and says the workers send money back home, for community projects or to their own family.

Research by economists at Waikato University has found the scheme boosts family income in some Pacific communities by up to 40%.

The research was commissioned by the Department of Labour and the World Bank and found the scheme also boosted housing standards and access to schooling in the Pacific nations.

(Source Radio New Zealand)

06/12/10 - International passenger numbers soar 30.1% to 71,622

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Latest figures show a 30.1% year-on-year increase in international passengers into Queenstown Airport, with 71,622 passing through in the financial year to October.

The figure, from Auckland Airport's monthly traffic update report, marks a rise from 55,040 international passengers into Queenstown during the previous corresponding period.

This October, 6377 international passengers used the airport, up from 5151 last October - a 23% increase.

A rolling 12-month total amounts to 124,154 international passengers, compared with 85,354 during the previous corresponding period.

For the financial year to October, 257,056 domestic passengers used the airport, up 15.6% on the previous corresponding period's 222,283, with 57,691 this October against 53,738 in October last year.

International aircraft movements were also up 39.9% for the year to October at 1030, compared with 736 during the previous 12 months, while domestic aircraft movements rose from 7534 in the first period to 8028 in the second, a 6.6% rise.

Total aircraft movements at the airport jumped 9.5% to 9058 from previous corresponding period's 8270.

(Source Otago Daily Times)

03/12/10 - NZ sharemarket at risk of extinction, strategist

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The New Zealand equity market is at risk of extinction, says Bernard Doyle at JB Were Investment Strategy Group in a submission to the Savings Working Group.

"The current lack of IPOs (initial public offers), waning international interest and poor market liquidity are not simply a post-recession pause," Doyle said.

"They are indicative of an equity market in structural decline, which has become self-perpetuating."

His industry experience suggests the equity market's decline is more advanced than many outside observers perceive, Doyle said.

"The transition from slow steady decline to a rapid irreversible wind-up may prove surprisingly rapid," he said.

The local equity market's share of the economy has dropped from 56% 15 years ago to 29 per cent now while other equity markets have grown.

"Two types of economies tend to have an equity share of GDP at around the 25 per cent to 50 per cent level: emerging economies (for example, Colombia and Turkey) or advanced economies in a downward spiral (for example, Ireland and Greece)."

Doyle said there is no reason a well-structured, small, effective equity market can't grow in line with, and assist the development of the New Zealand economy.

"The domestic bond market shows that even a small, retail-heavy market can provide capital at a competitive price to the corporate sector."

But he doesn't think the domestic equity market can recover critical mass without public policy support.

He sees considerable scope for public policy to both improve the quality of savings behaviour and to return the sharemarket to a self-sustaining development path.

He is recommending the government should resume its contributions to the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, even if it was at a much reduced rate.

The government could use funds from selling state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to make contributions to the fund, Doyle said. The National Party-led government has pledged not to sell SOEs during its current term.

Doyle also recommends the fund's mandate should include it taking cornerstone stakes of 10 per cent or more in strategic domestic assets such as ports, airports and banks.

He also recommends the Overseas Investment Office should specifically target the impact of foreign investments on New Zealand capital markets.

"New Zealand needs to drop its peculiarly New Zealand attitude of not offending the overseas investment community. Most other advanced economies behave in an overtly self-interested manner when it comes to ownership of strategic assets."

Other recommendations include partial listings of "non-core" SOEs such as coal company Solid Energy, government action to encourage banks to list their New Zealand arms and making Kiwisaver compulsory.

(Source NZ Herald)

30/11/10 - Australia must lift ban on NZ apples - WTO

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New Zealand has finally won its battle to export Kiwi apples to Australia, after a 90-year fight.

Prime Minister John Key says Australia must immediately drop its ban and let our apples in.

But growers remain concerned Australia will play games and make it tricky.

The World Trade referee, the WTO, has ruled Australia’s ban on New Zealand apples is unscientific and breaks the rules.

“The last season has been disastrous. The opportunity to go into another market is welcome and it is so close,” says Nelson apple grower Richard Easton.

“I do believe Aussies will be chomping their way through New Zealand apples before long,” Mr Key said.

Australia banned New Zealand apples in 1921, believing them to carry the pest Fibrelight.

New Zealand argued that was rubbish and the WTO ruled in favour in August.

Australia appealed and a 148-page ruling confirms New Zealand apples won.

The Australian government says it accepts the decision, but wants now to look at what risks importing our apples might pose.

“I’m sure the Aussies will word a protocol that does make it difficult,” Mr Easton said.

As Trade Minister Phil Goff pushed the WTO action, he says the Australians now have no option.

“There’s a risk they could hold this up still further,” he said.

“[But] the decision has been made. They just need to get on and implement it.”

It will take a year before New Zealand apples will be exported – which should be worth at least $30 million to Kiwi growers.

Mr Key says he expects in the spirit of the ANZAC relationship, Australia won’t play any more games and will let our apples in.

He says, if he detects any problems, he will raise it with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard when she visits New Zealand in February.

(Source 3 News)

02/12/10 - Overstayers granted 12-month reprieve

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An Indian family has won a reprieve from deportation - at least for a year.

Usha and Sital Ram were last night granted 12 months work visas meaning they can stay here with their three children all of whom have New Zealand citizenship.

The couple, who live in Hastings, had been overstayers in the country for eight years and Immigration New Zealand rejected their bid to continue to stay.

Mr Ram is today set to be released from prison where he has been held since September. The Rams were in the process of deciding whether to return to India leaving their children behind for a better life when they got the news last night from Associate Immigration Minister Kate Wilkinson.

The minister had been asked by the family to overturn the removal order.

Ms Wilkinson said that while she could not condone the couple's "apparent disregard" of New Zealand's immigration laws, she had considered submissions asking that they be allowed to stay, The Dominion Post reported.

"I have decided to request the cancellation of the removal orders against the couple and am granting 12-month open work visas."

Ms Wilkinson said she could not guarantee the couple would be granted further visas.

Mrs Ram said her children had been given the day off from school to welcome home their father, who was to return from prison today.

"We are just so very, very happy. We want to thank everyone who has helped us."

(Source NZPA)

26/11/10 - Taito Phillip Field appeal rejected

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Disgraced former politician Phillip Field has failed to overturn his conviction on fraud charges or have his six-year jail sentence reduced.

Field was jailed in October last year after being convicted by a jury in the High Court in Auckland of 11 charges of bribery and corruption as a Member of Parliament and 15 charges of perverting the course of justice.

He was charged after then prime minister Helen Clark ordered an inquiry into allegations Field had traded immigration favours for tiling, painting or plastering work on his properties in New Zealand and Samoa by Thai nationals.

The Court of Appeal released its decision today and said Justice Rodney Hansen had correctly interpreted the law, directed the jury and allowed evidence.

It also found the convictions were right and the sentence should be upheld. The perversion of justice charges were very serious, the finding said.

"Mr Field had been manipulative and adaptive and not only lied himself, but procured others to lie as well and create false documents in an endeavour to head off the consequences of his wrongdoing. Had he succeeded, serious criminal offending would likely have gone undetected.

"The High Court judge was therefore correct to reflect those concerns in the sentence imposed on Mr Field.

Field remains in prison.

(Source Dominion Post)

30/11/10 - Desperate need for diesel mechanics

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As New Zealand struggles in the wake of the recession, a major branch of the transport industry is bucking the trend.

So many giant earth-moving machines and trucks are being sold, there is now a shortage of diesel mechanics and technicians to service them.

Heavy machinery company Gough Group is struggling to find enough skilled staff to meet demand and has run job seminars across the country to fill the vacancies on its books.

Following the two biggest sales in its 81-year-history - supplying $120 million worth of machinery to Solid Energy's Stockton open-cast coal mine near Westport - the company was short of heavy diesel mechanics and technicians, Gough Group CEO Karl Smith said.

"The next three to four years we can see potentially doubling our mechanic population. We're talking 400 plus just to satisfy the New Zealand demand."

The company has 40 vacancies, including 20 for heavy duty mechanics and technicians.

"The Goughs Group is well aware of this skill shortage and is doing everything to both attract and train staff to look after our present needs, and also in anticipation of future growth," Smith said.

The company is the largest employer of heavy diesel apprentices in New Zealand, taking on 13 last year and currently training a further 32 people in its four-year course.

Service engineer Darren Fleck said more mechanics are needed urgently because the shortage is hurting those currently employed.

"If we don't get more mechanics on, the pressure that it puts on a lot of other people in the industry increases. The guys who are in the industry get worked a lot harder," Fleck said.

New Zealand is not alone when it comes to a shortage of diesel mechanics.

"There's significant demand growing from mining and forestry here in New Zealand and globally for that matter. I mean the demand for that qualified technician around the planet is significant today, particularly in Asia-Pacific," Smith said.

Qualified mechanics from New Zealand were lost to Australia and other countries, but a surprising number have come back here.

Fleck said the job of a diesel mechanic can be demanding but it has its benefits.

"You get to do a bit of travel round the country, various different industries, marine, forestry, road trucks. You get the opportunity for a bit of travel round the world as well."

(Source TVNZ)

29/11/10 - Migrant numbers soar

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Migrants who have crossed borders in search of work and a better life could exceed 400 million, or nearly 7 per cent of the present global population, by 2050, according to a report.

The report, by the Geneva-based International Organisation for Migration (IOM), said movement within countries is also climbing as people move into cities, and has taken the global migrant total to one billion this year.

"Over the next few decades, international migration is likely to transform in scale, reach and complexity,'' said the report which is issued every two years by the IOM.

If the migrant population continues to increase at the same pace as the last 20 years, the stock of international migrants worldwide by 2050 could be as high as 405 million.''

The IOM's US director-general, William Lacy Swing, said governments must now develop long-term policies to ensure the trend benefits host nations as well as the migrants themselves.

The study said the world stock of migrants - those who have already migrated and settled in new countries - climbed from 191 million in 2005 to 214 million last year.

The report said the rise in inexorable and unavoidable in the face of changing global demographics with surging numbers of workers chasing too few jobs in developing economies and people fleeing the effects of climate change.

It said however the response of governments, although spending vast sums annually to strengthen their ability to manage the trend, is often short-term, piecemeal and fragmented.

"The risk of not putting in place policies and adequate resources to deal with migration is to lose an historic opportunity to take advantage of this global phenomenon,'' Swing said.

"Given the unrelenting pace of migration, the window of opportunity for states to turn the negatives of migration into positives is shrinking.''

If there were no major investment in issues related to migrants - such as providing housing, education and health services - problems associated with their integration into host societies would become even more acute than they are now.

"Investment and planning in the future of migration will help improve public perceptions of migrants, which have been particularly dented by the current economic downturn,'' said Swing.

"It will also help to lessen political pressure on governments to devise short-term responses to migration.''

(Source Dominion Post)

29/11/10 - Ignorance no longer excuse for employers of illegal migrants

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Ignorance of a worker's immigration status will no longer be a "reasonable excuse" for employers who hire illegal workers under Immigration Act changes taking effect today.

Under previous legislation, employers could plead ignorance if an employee had completed and signed an Inland Revenue form declaring he or she was entitled to work.

Employers who break the law can be prosecuted and face fines of up to $50,000.

An online checking system called VisaView has been set up to help employers but it is still subject to the Privacy Act.

National Distribution Union migrant workers support co-ordinator Dennis Maga says the law change will have employers who have "not been playing by the rules" scramble to sack illegal workers.

"It is inevitable that there will be some job losses in the short term, but it is not actually a bad thing because it's all part of the process of flushing out the bad apples," Mr Maga said.

"Most of the companies that will react to this are migrant businesses, because we have found in our research that most of the migrant employees are being exploited by employers who belong to their own community."

Under the new act, businesses, organisations and government agencies can sponsor migrants for temporary or resident visas. Previously, only "natural persons" could do so.

But a sponsor will be held responsible for all costs incurred by the migrant, including repatriation and any debts to government agencies.

The act also introduces a universal visa system as an authority to travel and removes the distinction between visa, permit and exemption.

It also provides Immigration with more flexibility in dealing with those who have breached immigration requirements, including the option of secure detention.

Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman said the new act modernises New Zealand's laws and offers a robust framework for the fut

ure. "It is 21st century legislation which reflects the changing trends in immigration and it will encourage the visitors, students, skilled workers and new residents that New Zealand needs to grow our economy."

Dr Coleman described the changes as the "biggest overhaul of immigration legislation in nearly a quarter of a century" and said it had cross-party support.

LAW CHANGES

• Ignorance of worker status no longer a defence.
• Fines for employers of up to $50,000.
• Businesses, organisations and Government agencies can become sponsors.
• Universal visa system introduced for travel authority.
• Source: immigration.govt.nz/act

(Source Lincoln Tan, NZ Herald)