22/05/2021 - A 'once in a generation opportunity' to throw migrant workers under the bus

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OPINION: When the Government uses the phrase “reset” in relation to migration, migrant workers hear something very different.

The public hears: population policy, productivity, higher wages and an infrastructure catch-up.

Migrants just remember what happened more than a year ago when a “once in a generation” lockdown and global pandemic changed their lives forever.

During lockdown Government ministers were able to provide few details on what would happen to these migrants, but told them to be patient. Other politicians started mumbling about double-digit unemployment and calling for migrants to “go home”.

Read more: 22/05/2021 - A 'once in a generation opportunity' to throw migrant workers under the bus

20/05/2021 - Breaking News - Budget 2021: The 10 things you need to know

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The Goodies:

1. WELFARE AND FAMILIES: Benefits will increase by between $32 and $55 a week, while student living support will go up $25 a week. Overall, this will cost $3.3 billion over four years.

2. MĀORI HOUSING: $380m for 1000 new homes for Māori, repairs for 700 Māori –owned homes; ring-fencing $350m of the $3.8b housing fund announced in March for at least 2700 Māori homes.

3. INFRASTRUCTURE: An extra $15.1 billion (total $57.3b) from 2021 to 2025, including $810m for KiwiRail, $761m for school property, $700m for hospitals, and, in a surprise announcement, $306m for Scott Base.

4. CLIMATE CHANGE $19.7m for future response to the Climate Change Commission's final recommendations. Recycling revenue from the ETS will also add $3b over five years for this.

5. HEALTH: Labour keeps election promises with an extra $200m for Pharmac, but back-down on free annual GP visit and eye check for Supergold cardholders as it is of "limited benefit".

6. COVID: There's $5.1b left in the $62b Covid response and recovery fund. Treasury forecasts a "significant opening" of the border on January 1 next year.

Read more: 20/05/2021 - Breaking News - Budget 2021: The 10 things you need to know

18/05/2021 - Government wants to turn down tap on temporary and skilled migrant workers

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Economic Development Minister Stuart Nash outlines what the Government may change about New Zealand's immigration settings.

The Government wants to turn down the tap on temporary and skilled migrant workers, instead opening the door for high-roller investors and workers who can fill “genuine job shortages”.

Read more: 18/05/2021 - Government wants to turn down tap on temporary and skilled migrant workers

14/-05/2021 - Rethink "low-skill" job title

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Business leaders and policymakers alike need to rethink the "low-skill" job title, particularly after the pandemic revealed just how essential those jobs are, says The Atlantic, which argues that the negative connotations of "low-skilled" are perpetuated by our own biases against what is considered a "good job."

The phrase obscures the fact that many workers in jobs that don't pay well may indeed have skills, they could just be so young that they lack training and/or experience.

In addition, "low-skilled" also devalues the work of many and justifies massive wage gaps between professions.

Source: LinkedIn

13/05/2021 - Breaking News - Ability to apply extended

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On 10 August 2020 the Government suspended the ability for most people offshore to apply for temporary entry class visas (including visitor, work, student, and limited visas).

The most recent extension of the suspension was due to expire on 7 May 2021.

The Government has now made the decision to extend the suspension for a further three months until 6 August 2021.

Continuing to suspend the ability for people offshore to apply for a visa will mean that INZ does not receive applications from individuals who are not currently able to travel to New Zealand.

People who meet the border exception criteria or who are in a quarantine-free travel zone are not affected by the suspension.

Source: INZ

07/05/2021 - Breaking News - Introducing new accreditation and single work visa

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The Government is introducing a new temporary work visa called the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). The Accredited Employer Work Visa will be introduced on 1 November 2021 and will replace 6 of the existing temporary work visa categories.

Alongside the Accredited Employer Work Visa, a new employer-led system will be introduced that will generally simplify the application process and make it easier for businesses and regions to fill genuine skills shortages when it is clear that there is no New Zealander available to do the job, or who can be trained up for the role.

Read more: 07/05/2021 - Breaking News - Introducing new accreditation and single work visa

07/05/2021 - Breaking News - Changes to temporary work visas

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After mid-2021, we are introducing a new 3-check visa application system and replacing six temporary work visas with one.

New visa application process

The new visa application process will be employer led. Before hiring a migrant on the new employer-assisted temporary work visa, employers will need to:

• apply for accreditation
• apply for a job check to make sure the role they want to fill cannot be done by New Zealanders, and
• request a migrant worker to apply for a visa.

Read more: 07/05/2021 - Breaking News - Changes to temporary work visas

06/05/2021 - Breaking News - Covid-19 immigration powers to be extended

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The passing of a bill to extend temporary COVID-19 immigration powers means continued flexibility to support migrants, manage the border, and help industries facing labour shortages, Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi said.

“Over the past year, we’ve made rapid decisions to extend visas, vary visa conditions and waive some application requirements across entire visa categories. These decisions have provided more flexibility and certainty to visa holders and employers in New Zealand, and made more migrants available for industries facing labour shortages,” said Kris Faafoi.

Read more: 06/05/2021 - Breaking News - Covid-19 immigration powers to be extended

03/05/2021 - GOVT CALLS AN ENQUIRY TO RELOOK AT NEW ZEALAND'S IMMIGRATION SETTINGS

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The government has asked the Productivity Commission to inquire into immigration settings and recommend what changes are required to meet the future needs of New Zealand economy and society.

The office of the Productivity Commission confirmed this in a press release this morning.

“The Government has requested the Productivity Commission Te Komihana What Hua o Aoteroa to inquire into what working-age immigration policy settings would best facilitate New Zealand’s long-term economic growth and promote the wellbeing of New Zealanders,” the press release said.

Read more: 03/05/2021 - GOVT CALLS AN ENQUIRY TO RELOOK AT NEW ZEALAND'S IMMIGRATION SETTINGS

19/04/2021 - Travelling from Australia

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On 19 April 2021, New Zealand opened quarantine-free travel with Australia. This means that people can travel from Australia to New Zealand without having to secure a place in MIQ. 

Travellers from a QFT zone must meet New Zealand immigration requirements: 

• If you’re an Australian citizen, you do not need to hold a valid NZeTA or visa to travel. 
• If you’re from a visa waiver country or you’re an Australian permanent resident, you must hold a valid NZeTA to travel. 
• If none of the above applies to you, then you must hold a valid visa before travelling.

Source INZ