April 29, 2013 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Retirement New Zealand visa proposed

29 April 2013

A proposal to introduce a new category of New Zealand visa which would allow retirees to live in New Zealand tax-free has been proposed in the country’s parliament.

MP Nick Smith’s New Zealand visa proposal aims to make the country attractive to overseas retirees.

National Party MP Nick Smith has tabled a petition in parliament to create a New Zealand visa for financially independent retirees which would allow them to live in the country on a permanent basis.

The petition suggests that retirees wanting to move to New Zealand who would require no support from the state pay into a government-operated trust fund which would account for any medical costs they should require during the stay.

Under current New Zealand immigration legislation, overseas retirees can relatively easily obtain a visa to stay in New Zealand for up to six months, and those with relatives can qualify for settlement.

However, it is hoped the new visa category would make New Zealand an attractive retirement hub as well as contribute to the country’s economy. In return for a visa, the holder would be permitted to live in New Zealand for as long as they like, with the freedom to exit and return at will.

April 23, 2013 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand immigration rates rise

23 April 2013

The latest New Zealand immigration statistics show a record positive monthly net rate since January 2010.

New Zealand immigration rates are at their highest levels since January 2011.

Following the earthquake in Christchurch in 2011 and the ongoing resources boom in Australia, New Zealand immigration rates showed net population losses as more and more people left to find work elsewhere.

However, with the rebuild operation in Christchurch beginning to gain momentum, immigration rates are beginning to improve with six of the last seven months showing net inflows – the highest since before the earthquake.

“Annual net migration remains below average but has already seen a remarkable turnaround from the net outflows we were seeing a year ago,” said Westpac senior economist Felix Delbruck.

Mr Delbruck said the improving conditions in New Zealand combined with the stabilising economy in Australia would soon make New Zealand a better prospect for migrants and Kiwis than Australia.

“We expect the trend to continue strengthening over the next couple of years as labour shortages associated with the Canterbury rebuild become more acute.”

Felicity Ryan of Ryan Recruitment agreed and said her company was having no trouble placing skilled workers in positions across the country, not just in Christchurch.

“It’s no surprise, that increase [in immigration], with what’s going on in Canterbury and it’s going to continue.”

April 22, 2013 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand immigration to fuel Christchurch rebuild

The 6.3 magnitude earthquake which devastated large parts of the city and the surrounding region of Canterbury – as well as costing 185 lives – triggered a mass exodus from the city. With levels of skilled workers well below levels need, Christchurch employers are hoping New Zealand immigration can provide the answer.

“There isn’t enough labour available to do the work,” said Robin Clements, an economist at UBS Christchurch.

“If we haven’t got enough workers we need to attract them from the rest of the country or overseas.”

The best estimates predict the city will need an extra 15,000 workers when the operation begins properly. This will include plumbers, carpenters, electricians and all other manner of construction workers.

The rebuild operation is yet to begin in earnest due to prolonged aftershocks in the wake of the original quake as well as studies needed to ensure the city’s soil and foundations are able to built upon. Such was the original damage of the quake many buildings are still yet to be demolished.

The delay in beginning the rebuild has caused some discontent among business owners within the city, with many concerned of a concentrated construction project’s effect on the area’s economy and inflation rates.

“The delays in opening up the city are creating an environment of disengagement,” reported one business representing group, commenting that they were “mindful of the potential rise in inflationary pressures as construction activity increases over the coming years’.

Property rates and building costs in the Canterbury region are rising above national rates thanks to the forthcoming building operation but analysts claim this is no disadvantage to people considering moving to the city as wage rates are also rising beyond national levels.

“There are businesses out there paying ridiculous amounts of money for guys to drive trucks and diggers,” said Rob Uffindel, general manager of one Christchurch-based concrete firm.

Mr Uffindel said his company had doubled its fleet of trucks to almost 50 in the past 18 months alone but as it takes six months to train each operator, he needs to look further afield to source the workers.

“We need more people than we can put through our training program.”

It’s not just demand that’s fuelling the city’s growing levels of attraction to migrants either; while the Australian economy over the Tasman has experienced envious economic times, skilled workers who flocked to the booming mining operation are now returning home to work on projects that are about more than just money.

“Work isn’t that great back home anymore and we’ve got work here,” said engineer Stephanie Thompson who left her job in Western Australia to move to Christchurch with her husband, adding that in Perth ‘it’s all about money and mining’.

“We came here to do something more meaningful.”

April 19, 2013 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Tourism New Zealand welcomes same-sex marriage law

19 April 2013

A law legalising same-sex marriage in New Zealand has been welcomed by the country’s tourist body, which has launched a social-media campaign to lure same-sex couples to the country.

New Zealand became the 12th country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage this week.

New Zealand became the 12th country in the world to formally recognise same-sex marriage this week and Tourism New Zealand is in prime position to capitalise on the thousands of same-sex couples waiting to get married – particularly those in Australia.

Tourism New Zealand general manager Tim Burgess said the country already has an established market for wedding tourism thanks to its exotic location with breathtaking backdrops and he had already received enquiries from companies wanting to cater to same-sex couples.

“New Zealand has a well established niche market for wedding tourism, specifically companies that specialise in international visitors, and a lot of those wedding companies are keen to open their arms and embrace same-sex couples from Australia and around the world to take their vows,” said Tim Burgess.

Couples in Australia are reportedly already making plans to tie the knot when the law takes effect in August.

“We are absolutely ecstatic. It’s wonderful, such a milestone,” said Julia Pendly, a Kiwi-born Melbourne resident who intends to marry her partner Lauren Hulstaert in New Zealand within the next two years.

Tourism New Zealand is also rolling out a social media campaign to entice more same-sex couples to New Zealand which is thought to include the right to be the first same-sex couple to wed in New Zealand, all expenses paid.

April 9, 2013 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

PM signs fast-track New Zealand visa deal

09 April 2013

A deal to allow frequent Chinese tourists and visitors to quickly and easily obtain a New Zealand visa has been signed by Prime Minister John Key.

Prime Minister John Key signed the New Zealand visa deal in Guangzhou.

Mr Key, who is also the country’s tourism minister, signed the New Zealand visa deal in Guangzhou this week, marking the NZ government’s intention to increase tourism revenue.

Newly wealthy Chinese tourists travelling abroad for the first time have become a key demographic for most countries to secure; New Zealand joins the US in being one of the first to make special dispensation for Chinese tourists.

The deal was first announced in November last year when then-Immigration Minister Nathan Guy secured a deal with China Southern Airlines to allow those visitors who could prove they had visited New Zealand in the past two years to waive the requirement to prove they have sufficient funds.

Mr Key, signing an updated version of the agreement, said Mr Guy’s original agreement had been in place since without a hitch.

“The big issue that of course [Immigration New Zealand] worry about is somebody coming to New Zealand and then effectively not leaving when they say they will,” said the prime minister, explaining that the majority of users of the agreement were business people.

“This is the profile of a client that’s extremely unlikely to [overstay their visa]. They’ve travelled over the last two years extensively, they’re clearly a business person.”

April 3, 2013 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Asia dominates New Zealand immigration rates

02 April 2013

Asian countries have become the main source of New Zealand immigration, although the UK remains the largest single contributor.

The UK still remains the largest single source of New Zealand immigration but Asian countries are catching up.

Asian students already dominated the international education market in the country but now other New Zealand visa streams are also increasingly taken up by applicants from Asian countries.

While the UK still contributes the largest number of permanent residents, the combined total of applicants from China, India and the Philippines is more than double the number of British migrants.

“Asians have moved from being a ‘significant number’ to ‘dominating’ most immigration categories,” said Paul Spoonley, professor of sociology at Auckland’s Massey University.

Professor Spoonley said the change in migration patterns – which have traditionally focussed on West European migrants – would alter New Zealand society, although how quick and how well this change is taken by the local population is hard to predict.

“We haven’t been very good at telling New Zealanders about the positive aspects of immigration,” he said, adding that it was “hard for people to feel positive about immigration during times of high unemployment and economic downturn”.

However, the professor said migrants are even more important to the economy during such times.

“Studies have shown that, overall, migrants contribute far more to the economy and what they pay in taxes than what they take.”

March 15, 2013 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

India overtakes UK in New Zealand immigration rates

15 March 2013

The latest New Zealand immigration figures show that India has become the largest source country of skilled migrants, overtaking the UK.

India has become the number one source for skilled migration to New Zealand.

The increase has been attributed to the rise in international students entering New Zealand on study visas before changing to temporary work visas and eventually gain permanent residency.

Overall the number of temporary work visas increased by 2%, and New Zealand immigration figures do not count Australian migrants, who are free to live and work in New Zealand without the need for a visa.

Sankar Ramasamy, research manager at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, welcomed the figures and said the NZ government expects them to continue to rise as the rebuild operation in Christchurch gathers momentum.

“The rebuild will increase the demand for specific skills, particularly in building professions and trades,” said Mr Ramasamy.

“Demand for New Zealanders will be high, and training is under way to get young people in particular into jobs in Canterbury, but nonetheless we are likely to need more migrants if those skills cannot be readily met from within New Zealand.

“This approach fits in with new Zealand’s immigration focus continuing to be on attracting and retaining migrants who contribute economically and settle successfully in New Zealand.”

March 8, 2013 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand visa concern as student numbers drop

08 March 2013

The number of New Zealand visa applications granted to foreign students has fallen by nearly a quarter in the past four years, prompting the government to defend its program.

Student visa numbers have dropped in New Zealand but some contend the news isn’t as bad as it looks.

The total number of student visas has reportedly decreased almost 10% in the past year alone, forcing recently appointed Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse to defend his department’s efforts to make it easier for international students to come to New Zealand.

Mr Woodhouse said he was setting an ‘ambitious target’ to double the country’s international education industry – already worth NZ$2 billion (£1.1 billion) a year – by 2025.

The minister said this would include changes to health screening, reducing processing times for applications and extending work rights to students.

One industry spokesperson contended that it was the government’s failure to clampdown on bogus education establishments that were damaging the country’s reputation that had let to the fall in student numbers.

“The shonky establishments have proved far more resilient that the government expected,” said Paul Chalmers, spokesperson for the International Education Group.

“The result has been to impact negatively across the majority of great schools.”

However, Immigration New Zealand General Manager Stephen Dunstan said the existing visa policy was not to blame in the fall in international students but the continuing recovery in Christchurch following the earthquake as well as a high NZ dollar and a poor global economy.

“The earthquakes have meant a reduction of 36% of international students in the region since 2011,” said Mr Dunstan.

“It’s important to note there has been a drop in international education student numbers worldwide.”

Mr Dunstan added that changes made to the Working Holiday Visa program which allow working holiday makers to study for up to six months meant that many students were not being counted in official figures.

“Student visas are not the same as actual number of enrolments because the data excludes many on visitor visas who enrol in short-term English language courses.”

March 4, 2013 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Nurses criticise change to New Zealand immigration policy

04 March 2013

A decision to remove certain nursing specialities from the list of long term skill shortages in New Zealand immigration guidelines has angered nursing organisations who say existing nurses, already overworked, will have to take up the slack.

Mental health nurses have been removed from the long-term skills shortages list for the first time since 2005.

In a recent change to New Zealand immigration policy, mental health nursing was removed from Immigration New Zealand’s (INZ) list of long-term skill shortages. Visa applicants with skills on the list are often prioritised over other applicants.

The decision to remove mental health nurses has angered the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO), who argue that there is a ‘critical shortage’ of nurses already – particularly in the earthquake damaged area of Christchurch.

“We’ve got mental health nurses in Christchurch that haven’t been able to take their annual leave and who haven’t been able to take time off for important training,” said Marilyn Head, policy analyst at the NZNO.

“We’ve got mental health crisis teams that are overloaded and can’t respond.

“Canterbury’s mental health demand is really high, which is normal after a tragedy.”

Mental health nurses had been on the long-term skill shortages list since 2005 but were removed after advice from the Ministry of Health.

However, Mary Gordon, executive director of nursing at the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB), said she did not foresee any new difficulties in recruiting despite the changes.

“Like any specialist role, it is challenging finding experienced candidates and we continue to actively recruit both in New Zealand and overseas to fill these roles,” said Ms Gordon.

“Specialist mental health nurses from overseas will still be able to apply to work with CDHB.”

February 26, 2013 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand immigration minister joins mayor to honour international education industry

26 February 2013

New Zealand Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse will join Wellington Mayor Celia Wade Brown this week to pay tribute to the economic contribution of the international education industry in New Zealand.

Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse and Wellington Mayor Celia Wade Brown will pay tribute to international students this week.

International education is one of New Zealand’s top five exports, contributing NZ$2.3 billion (£1.3 billion) to the country’s economy and Mr Woodhouse and Ms Brown will hold an event this week to pay tribute to international students in the country and the 32,000 jobs they support.

The event, to be held at Wellington Town Hall, will highlight the country’s commitment to international education and include presentations from NZ police officers and former international students.

“Wellington hosts around 6,000 international students per year with direct economic impact to the region in the order of NZ$160 million [£88 million],” said Matthew Steele, manager of Education Wellington.

“While this is a significant number, Wellington has to the potential to host many more students. This is a world-class destination for international students with very high quality secondary and tertiary institutions and a lifestyle that is second to none.

“Apart from an economic contribution, international students contribute significantly to the cultural diversity that Wellingtonians value so highly about their region.”

The event will also be used as a launch pad for Immigration New Zealand’s new online service NZ Study and Work, designed to assist both international students and employers find each other and explain what rights and allowances they are entitled to.

February 1, 2013 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Immigration New Zealand warn of fake job offers

01 February 2013

New Zealand immigration officials have issued a worldwide warning for those wanting to move to New Zealand to beware of fake job offers.

Immigration New Zealand say scammers are selling fake job offers to visa applicants.

A job offer is required for many categories of New Zealand visa but Immigration New Zealand (INZ) have received reports of scammers selling manufactured job offers on official letter headed paper for up to NZ$4,000 (£2,125).

The job offers reportedly promise nonexistent positions in a range of industries in demand in New Zealand including IT, healthcare and retail; INZ is keen to ensure all potential migrants around the world are aware of the scam.

“We have ensured that information on this scam is available to all our decision makers globally,” said INZ General Manager Nicola Hogg.

Ms Hogg said scammers were taking advantage of many people’s eagerness to move to New Zealand to make easy money and, given the global nature of the scam, it is almost impossible to retrieve any lost monies. In order to combat the scammers, Ms Hogg urged all visa applicants to ensure any job offer is genuine.

“While people are free to find out for themselves about the requirements for work in New Zealand, work opportunities and to arrange jobs, anyone who needs immigration advice should only use a licensed immigration adviser.”

INZ said many of the ‘job offers’ had been printed on letter headed paper from well-known recruitment agency Kelly Services. However, Victoria Robertson, Kelly Services’ general manager, said there are several inaccuracies on the papers that proved they are forgeries including the layout and brand while the name often quoted as the consultant had never worked at Kelly Services.

Ms Robertson said Kelly Services did not charge when sourcing employment and would be cooperating with INZ to minimise the damages of the scam.

“We have followed up this matter with the relevant authorities and have made our global team aware of the false use of our brand in this regard.”

January 29, 2013 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand visa rule introduced to help Christchurch rebuild

28 January 2013

New Zealand Immigration Minister Nathan Guy has announced the introduction of a new category of New Zealand visa specifically designed to help employers find the staff needed for the Christchurch rebuild operation.

One employment lawyer claims Mr Guy’s well-intentioned efforts could actually hinder the Christchurch rebuild operation.

Large portions of New Zealand’s second biggest city remain in ruins after the 6.3 magnitude earthquake which rocked the region in February, 2011. The mass exodus of residents in the wake of the quake meant that the region has struggled to find the necessary manpower to repair the city.

Many employers have called on the national government to allow more overseas workers to legally work in the region but some have warned against unscrupulous employers taking advantage of foreign workers in the midst of high employment demands, paying them below average wages and neglecting local labour sources.

However, Mr Guy has introduced a new visa condition which he says will ensure that both local workers can find work and employers can hire from overseas where necessary.

“The new rule means visa applications to fill most jobs in Canterbury won’t be processed until a check has been done to ensure there are no suitable new Zealanders to fill the vacancy,” said Mr Guy.

“The rule also benefits employers because it streamlines the visa process. Employers will know sooner if a visa application for a migrant worker is likely to succeed.”

The new condition, which will being affecting applications from today, requires employers in trade, clerical and manual occupations to advertise for local labour on the Canterbury Skills and Employment Hub before they are eligible to sponsor migrant workers’ visa applications.

“If there are suitable New Zealanders available to do the job, the Skills Hub will confirm this in a letter that can be sent to Immigration New Zealand along with a visa application for a migrant to be considered to fill the vacancy,” added the minister.

“The letter means Immigration New Zealand will no longer perform a labour market check – including a referral to Work and Income – as this job will already have been performed by the Skills Hub.

“This will speed up the visa processing time for employers and help towards the rebuild effort.”

January 29, 2013 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Doubts over New Zealand visa condition to help Christchurch rebuild

29 January 2013

A new requirement for employers to carry out employment checks has been criticised by one employment lawyer who claims the added step will slow down the ability to recruit new staff.

One employment lawyer says the immigration minister’s well intentioned efforts could hinder the Christchurch rebuild.

Immigration Minister Nathan Guy announced the rule change yesterday; employers must carry out local labour searches before they are able to sponsor overseas citizens for a New Zealand visa. The change is mainly intended to assist with the rebuild operation in and around Christchurch after the earthquake in February, 2011 devastated the region.

Employers in Christchurch have consistently called for help from New Zealand immigration officials; large swathes of people left the region in the aftermath of the disaster and many employers would like to hire foreign labour to make up the gaps in the local workforce.

Mr Guy said his new condition would expedite the process while also ensuring that what local labour is left is not overlooked. However, Employment lawyer Paul Tremewan says the minister’s new requirement adds a needless step to the process which threatens to further hinder the rebuild.

“I think it’s a good idea that New Zealanders should be in work but the difficulty is that you’re trying to find the right New Zealanders to be in these jobs and you’ve got competing priorities of getting the rebuild underway,” Mr Tremewan told Newstalk ZB radio.

“Using skilled workers, albeit those that might be already based overseas and already working for some of the major construction companies, against someone who is presumably unemployed and on the waiting list who doesn’t already have a job to be fitted into a workforce in an efficient and effective manner will simply delay the process of getting the rebuild done.”

Mr Tremewan said Minister Guy’s promise of publishing available workers online is also an unnecessary step as many companies will already have their own internal versions of available workers.

“The minister has said that [the list of New Zealanders ready for work] is going to be available online…I would have thought most employers would already know what is available if they’re recruiting in their own workplace anyway.

“Now these are employers that generally have access to skilled work from offshore and bring people into the country on a regular basis but now before that process starts you’ve got to look up a load of New Zealand construction workers, how do I go about putting them into my own workforce, and training them and making sure they’ve got the right skill set?”

Mr Tremewan said despite his misgivings over the process, he had no issues with the minister’s attempts to involve the local workforce in the rebuild operation.

“No question, the sentiment is admirable but I just don’t think we should be setting up a resource management type regime to prevent employers from efficiently manning the workplace, especially in Christchurch.

“You have to look at the job at hand and figure out how best to do it.”

January 28, 2013 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand visa introduced to help Christchurch rebuild

28 January 2013

New Zealand Immigration Minister Nathan Guy has announced the introduction of a new category of New Zealand visa specifically designed to help employers find the staff needed for the Christchurch rebuild operation.

New Zealand Immigration Minister Nathan Guy says the new visa rules will benefit the Christchurch rebuild process.

Large portions of New Zealand’s second biggest city remain in ruins after the 6.3 magnitude earthquake which rocked the region in February, 2011. The mass exodus of residents in the wake of the quake meant that the region has struggled to find the necessary manpower to repair the city.

Many employers have called on the national government to allow more overseas workers to legally work in the region but some have warned against unscrupulous employers taking advantage of foreign workers in the midst of high employment demands, paying them below average wages and neglecting local labour sources.

However, Mr Guy has introduced a new visa category which he says will ensure that both local workers can find work and employers can hire from overseas where necessary.

“The new rule means visa applications to fill most jobs in Canterbury won’t be processed until a check has been done to ensure there are no suitable new Zealanders to fill the vacancy,” said Mr Guy.

“The rule also benefits employers because it streamlines the visa process. Employers will know sooner if a visa application for a migrant worker is likely to succeed.”

The new category, which opens for applications today, requires employers in trade, clerical and manual occupations to advertise for local labour on the Canterbury Skills and Employment Hub before they are eligible to sponsor migrant workers’ visa applications.

“If there are suitable New Zealanders available to do the job, the Skills Hub will confirm this in a letter that can be sent to Immigration New Zealand along with a visa application for a migrant to be considered to fill the vacancy,” added the minister.

“The letter means Immigration New Zealand will no longer perform a labour market check – including a referral to Work and Income – as this job will already have been performed by the Skills Hub.

“This will speed up the visa processing time for employers and help towards the rebuild effort.”

January 14, 2013 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand immigration authorities warn Christchurch rebuild employers

14 January 2013

Employers hiring foreign workers for the rebuild operation in Christchurch have been warned by Immigration New Zealand that any potential employees’ immigration status is their responsibility.

INZ say it an employer’s responsibility to ensure employees have the right to work in New Zealand.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) said employers would be held responsible if any employee is found working without the proper New Zealand visa, even if the employer is unaware.

The rebuild operation in Christchurch is still to begin in earnest after the earthquake which razed large parts of the city in February 2011 and triggered large exodus of residents whose homes or places of work were damaged in the disaster.

The city’s depleted workforce has struggled to cope with the demands of the recovery operation and employers have since turned abroad to find skilled workers capable of assisting in the operation. However, recruitment agencies have claimed this has left the city wide open for immigration scams to take root.

While the number of visa overstayers and other illegal immigrants is difficult to gauge by definition, INZ estimate it could be as high as 15,000 and with plenty of opportunity in offer in the Canterbury region, it is to be expected that many will seek temporary employment there.

In order to combat this threat, INZ have said they will be conducting random site inspections throughout the year and unless an employer could prove they had taken ‘reasonable steps’ to ensure any foreign employees had the right to be working, they would face punishment.

“The onus is on [the employer] to make sure workers working for them are legally entitled to be working in New Zealand,” said an INZ spokesperson.

The agency urged employers to check the passports of potential employees to be sure of their immigration status; employers can also use INZ’s VisaView service to check status.

December 29, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Hospitality industry calls for New Zealand visa help in Christchurch

28 December 2012

The city of Christchurch is still struggling to recover following the devastating earthquake which struck the region in January, 2011. New Zealand immigration authorities have assisted the rebuild process by making it easier for foreign construction workers to come to the region, but now the hospitality industry is claiming it too is in dire need of workers.

Christchurch is in need of hospitality staff as well as construction and trades workers.

The 6.3 magnitude earthquake which took 185 lives and caused NZ$15 billion (£7.6 billion) worth of damage also resulted in a mass exodus from the region, slowing down the city’s ability to recover quickly.

With the rebuild still to being in earnest, the government has made it easier for foreign construction workers to obtain a New Zealand visa, setting up an online service aimed at helping employers find foreign workers.

The government’s skills shortage list initially targeted builders and engineers but now includes plasterers, roofers and other trades workers.

However, as businesses begin to find their feet again several owners have called for similar help to be granted to the hospitality industry.

Just half the city’s 1,000-plus cafes, restaurants and bars have reopened since the quake and many more are due to reopen to capitalise on the summer season yet many fear a ‘lost generation’ of workers who left following the disaster will hinder the industry.

One Christchurch cafe owner said he had 32 members of staff before the earthquake; within a fortnight of the tragedy, all but five had left the region.

Marisa Bidois, chief executive of the Restaurant Association, said she intended to speak to Immigration New Zealand (INZ) about getting hospitality workers places on the skills shortage list.

“What we’ve heard from the industry is that the Canterbury region is definitely struggling to find key skilled hospitality workers to fill those,” said Ms Bidois.

A spokesperson for INZ said the skills shortage list would be reviewed in February and then after every quarter to ensure employers would be able to find enough workers.

December 11, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Minister accused of misleading parliament over New Zealand visa deal

11 December 2012

Immigration Minister Nathan Guy has been accused of misleading the parliament over a deal he signed with China Southern Airlines to allow frequent flyers quicker access to a New Zealand visa.

Leader of the New Zealand First Party Winston Peters has accused Immigration Minister Nathan Guy of misleading the parliament.

The deal was announced last month and was quickly followed by subsequent announcements promising similar New Zealand visa deals for other airlines such as Air New Zealand.

However, Winston Peters, leader of the New Zealand First political party, has accused Mr Guy of misleading parliament over the requirements frequent flyers would need to meet before being eligible for the fast track visa.

Mr Guy had told the parliament that ‘visitors must still apply for a visa and meet the good-character and health checks’.

Mr Peters contends that the realities of the deal differ from the statements Mr Guy made to the parliament.

“The fact of the matter is there are no health checks for visitors who are in New Zealand for less than six months, and no character checks for visitors in this country for less than 24 months,” said Mr Peters.

“Given that the average stay for a Chinese tourist is five days, there is no way the minister can reconcile his statement to the facts.”

Mr Peters has the deal demonstrates the minister’s inability to secure the country’s borders.

“Allowing tourists to waltz across our borders just because they’ve racked up a few air miles flying on CSA [China Southern Airline] – which apparently shows they are decent citizens – is simply disingenuous.

“The country is being put at risk by yet another secret government deal struck behind closed doors that allows anybody who is a frequent flier with CSA to enter New Zealand.”

December 11, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Minister accused of misleading parliament over New Zealand visa deal

11 December 2012

Immigration Minister Nathan Guy has been accused of misleading the parliament over a deal he signed with China Southern Airlines to allow frequent flyers quicker access to a New Zealand visa.

Leader of the New Zealand First Party Winston Peters has accused Immigration Minister Nathan Guy of misleading the parliament.

The deal was announced last month and was quickly followed by subsequent announcements promising similar New Zealand visa deals for other airlines such as Air New Zealand.

However, Winston Peters, leader of the New Zealand First political party, has accused Mr Guy of misleading parliament over the requirements frequent flyers would need to meet before being eligible for the fast track visa.

Mr Guy had told the parliament that ‘visitors must still apply for a visa and meet the good-character and health checks’.

Mr Peters contends that the realities of the deal differ from the statements Mr Guy made to the parliament.

“The fact of the matter is there are no health checks for visitors who are in New Zealand for less than six months, and no character checks for visitors in this country for less than 24 months,” said Mr Peters.

“Given that the average stay for a Chinese tourist is five days, there is no way the minister can reconcile his statement to the facts.”

Mr Peters has the deal demonstrates the minister’s inability to secure the country’s borders.

“Allowing tourists to waltz across our borders just because they’ve racked up a few air miles flying on CSA [China Southern Airline] – which apparently shows they are decent citizens – is simply disingenuous.

“The country is being put at risk by yet another secret government deal struck behind closed doors that allows anybody who is a frequent flier with CSA to enter New Zealand.”

December 3, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

British family facing deportation from New Zealand due to brain tumour

The Crystal family, which also includes Sarah and three children aged between seven and 17, moved to New Zealand in 2006 so Mr Crystal could drive petrol tankers for Caltex. Three years later the family changed New Zealand visa streams in order to set up their own businesses.

However, just months before the family would have been eligible to apply for permanent residency and therefore qualify for state medical benefits, Mr Crystal collapsed behind the wheel.

“I was actually driving to a new contract when I had a seizure,” said Mr Crystal.

“I just had to pull over. I was gone for 20 minutes. Sarah was with me and when I came to, there was an ambulance there.”

Surgeons operated on Mr Crystal and removed a ‘golf ball sized’ tumour from his brain which has left him unable to work.

“Unfortunately, this left me with a large blind area on my left-side and a constantly dizzy sensation, which feels like I am repeatedly free-fall skydiving,” he said.

“This results in my constantly bumping into and tripping over things. My short-term memory is really terrible. I get up to do something, usually trip over something on the way, and have forgotten what it was I got up for.”

The operation left Mr Crystal unable to work in almost any capacity and needs to lie down after even short exertions. He was originally given just 12 months to live and, despite living a further two years, doctors still only give him a 20% chance of surviving a further three years.

Mrs Crystal has managed to keep the family’s two business going throughout the ordeal but after working herself too hard, another tragedy struck which derailed the family.

“I did all the businesses, I never stopped,” said Mrs Crystal.

“Trouble really started because I worked myself so hard that in the middle of winter last year I got pneumonia. That knocked me for six or eight weeks and we got behind on our bills and everything just sank.”

The family was forced to begin selling off assets to make ends meet and have now had their permanent residence application rejected because of Mr Crystal’s inability to work, meaning the family now face deportation to Britain.

However, as the family have been out of the UK for longer than two years, even if they could afford the NZ$8,000 (£4,000) flights home, they would be ineligible for state healthcare in the UK.

Work and Income NZ head Debbie Power has confirmed she is looking into the case and may yet decide to grant the Crystal family emergency benefit for medical treatment while the Immigration and Protection Tribunal reviews their case.

The family’s appeal is being assisted by local MP Lindsay Tisch who said the family ‘have done everything right but circumstances have moved against them’.

In the meantime the Crystal family are relying on the community in Onewhero, northern Waikato, for help. Reverend Alan Roe of the Onewhero Anglican Church has spurred the community into action and have already raised money to contribute toward the family’s appeal.

“We don’t even know half the people. Sometimes they just turn up with an ice cream tub full of soup,” said Mrs Crystal.

A fund has been set up to help the Crystal’s with their plight. Donations can be sent to:

November 30, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Second airline in talks for New Zealand visa deal

30 November 2012

Air New Zealand has confirmed it is in talks with the government over striking a deal to allow wealthy Chinese visitors to secure a New Zealand visa quickly.

Air New Zealand is reportedly seeking a deal to allow Chinese visitors quick access to visas.

The news comes just weeks after China Southern Airlines secured a deal with Immigration Minister Nathan Guy to offer frequent flying Chinese visitors the ability to quickly secure a New Zealand visa.

The deal proved controversial with critics arguing it showed favouritism but Prime Minister John Key, who also serves as tourism minister, defended the deal, promising that the arrangement ‘will be in place for other airlines like Air New Zealand’.

And now it would appear as though the prime minister has fulfilled his promised with an Air NZ spokesperson confirming that the airline has ‘expressed an interest in a similar arrangement to the Government, which has confirmed a willingness to talk’.

The rise of the Chinese middle class in recent years has produced millions of first time tourists and New Zealand joins the likes of the US, the UK and Australia in making changes to immigration policy to accommodate them.

China Southern Air’s deal allows frequent Chinese visitors to New Zealand to secure a new visa through a streamlined process which will require fewer checks to verify their credentials, particularly their wealth.

“That is because they will have travelled 40,000 kilometres with China Southern Airlines, and on that basis one can assume they are a reasonable high net worth individual,” said the prime minister.

While Air New Zealand was not forthcoming on the details of any deal, it is thought the national airline will begin daily flights to Shanghai as well as increased connections between Hong Kong through a deal with Cathay Pacific.

November 27, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand tourism gears up for Hobbit-hype

27 November 2012

As many as 100,000 people are expected in Wellington this week for the long-awaited premier of Peter Jackson’s latest offering The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, and Tourism New Zealand are primed to capitalise.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is expected to lead to another popularity boost in New Zealand tourism.

Not since the Lord of the Rings trilogy came to an end has New Zealand tourism garnered as much attention when record numbers of visitors made the trip and the industry is ready to welcome an inspired crowd once more.

Images of the films’ iconic locations and stars have been splashed across the capital; Martin Freeman, making his first appearance as Bilbo Baggins in the Hobbit trilogy, features prominently on most promotional material, ranging from postage stamps and coins to the sides of office blocks and even a plane.

“This is proper, epic film making… I don’t know any actors, apart from those who worked on The Lord of the Rings who’ve made a film that’s this big or taken this long,” Freeman told the Dominion Post.

“I certainly don’t think I’ll ever do another film that’s like, or as long, as this again.”

The film premieres Wednesday 28, November when many of the film’s stars including Cate Blanchett, Elijah Wood and Hugo Weaving will descend on Wellington to walk the red carpet and attend the premiere.

While the release of a new trilogy is likely to set new blockbuster records and win more records for director Peter Jackson and co, it is the impact on tourism which has given New Zealand true Hobbit fever.

The spectacular and breathtaking landscapes which featured prominently as backdrops in The Lord of the Rings trilogy propelled New Zealand to the forefront of world tourism and officials are clearly hoping lightning will strike twice.

Marketing the country as ’100% Middle Earth’ Tourism New Zealand launched a massive campaign to promote the film’s release earlier this month.

The first film, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, will be released worldwide in December, with the second instalment, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, following in December 2013 and the final chapter, The Hobbit: There and Back Again, will be released in summer 2014.

November 26, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Crackdown on colleges in New Zealand visa scam

26 November 2012

New Zealand immigration authorities have suspended New Zealand visa applications from four private colleges after an investigation found their complicity in an illegal labour scam involving international students.

The investigation found international students enrolled at the four PTEs were not completing the 20 hours minimum study required by their New Zealand visa.

A joint operation carried out by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and Immigration New Zealand (INZ) revealed that four Private Training Establishments (PTEs) knowingly enrolled international students who had obtained a New Zealand visa fraudulently.

The investigation claimed the students entered the country with the intention of working rather than studying; INZ have since acted to remove the PTEs’ ability to process visa applications after finding them to be ‘non-compliant with their obligations in respect to international students”.

“INZ will now suspend the processing of student visa applications for the four institutions for failing to comply with their obligations under the Education Act 1989 and the Immigration Act 2009,” said an INZ spokesperson.

“The suspensions will not be lifted until they are fully compliant.”

Peter Elms, INZ general manager, said the majority of the international students were studying less than the minimum 20 hours a week stipulated in their visa conditions, were maintaining poor attendance records and had significant discrepancies in fees. However, Mr Elms said the most concerning factor in the investigation was the role of the four PTEs.

“It is concerning that these private training establishments have been operating in a manner that falls well below minimum standards and, in so doing, jeopardising the quality of education provided to their international students,” he said.

“The actions of a handful of PTEs can have serious implications for the reputation of New Zealand as a quality education destination.

“We are determined to maintain the integrity of the export education industry and New Zealand’s reputation as a quality destination and we owe it to the vast majority of high quality PTEs to take a firm stance on this issue.”

November 22, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand immigration officials sacked over privacy breaches

22 November 2012

Figures released by the opposing Labour Party show that 10 Immigration New Zealand (INZ) staff have been fired in the past three years for improperly accessing client information.

Over 200 people have had their privacy breached in the past three years but only 12 had been informed by New Zealand immigration officials.

An investigation in July revealed 51 INZ staff had been reprimanded in some form or other since 2004 for improperly accessing New Zealand immigration data with one complainant claiming the practice was rife.

And now it has been revealed that over 200 people’s privacy had been breached by INZ staff in incidents which left 10 staff members jobless.

Labour’s immigration spokeswoman, Darien Fenton, said only 12 of the 207 people whose information had been accessed had been informed of the breach.

“They should be upfront and honest about it,” said Ms Fenton, adding that INZ stored massive amounts of personal information. “There are always risks and the government is being far too shabby about the way they are going about [storing personal information].”

Immigration Minister Nathan Guy defended the figures, claiming that the number of breaches was high because incidences were reported and staff members dealt with appropriately.

“Any breach of privacy is disappointing but it needs to be remembered that Immigration New Zealand makes around 500,000 decisions every year.”

INZ General Manager Nicola Hogg echoed the minister’s comments, stating that all staff were required to sign a code of conduct before being allowed access to client information.

“Only certain Immigration NZ staff have access to client files when it is necessary for their job,” said Ms Hogg.

“Employees must not access records of well-known members of the public for reasons not connected with their work.”

November 16, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand immigration shoud fuel 15 million people push claims report

16 November 2012

A recent report published by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) claims the country’s current population is too small to grow in the world’s economy and, fuelled by New Zealand immigration, the population needs to more than triple in coming decades.

The New Zealand Institute of Economic Research claims the country’s population needs to swell to 15 million before 2060.

The report claims the country’s lack of scale combined with its remoteness discourages other countries from importing New Zealand’s goods. The report claims the most obvious way to combat this trend is to grow – using New Zealand immigration as a main source.

New Zealand’s population is currently approaching 4.5 million people but the report claims as many as 15 million will be needed by the year 2060 to stay competitive in a globalised economy. The current rate of growth is approximately 1% a year over the past five years.

In order to reach 15 million people by 2060, this would need to increase to 2.5% a year.

“One of the obvious ways to overcome these problems is to make New Zealand a bigger country with bigger companies,” said Catherine Beard, executive director of lobbying group ExportNZ which commissioned the report.

“We need a national debate on population policy and how big we should be by 2060. We need to grow the population through immigration and build companies of scale.

“Once grown, the challenge is then keeping these companies in New Zealand so the country benefits from them.

“The alternative is selling out to other countries and losing talent overseas for better jobs and better pay.”

John Ballingall, deputy chief executive of NZIER, said a larger domestic market will not only sustain domestic companies but fuel exports too.

“If you’ve got large domestic markets to sell to, then you can create more scale and more efficiency before you launch into overseas markets,” said Mr Ballingall.

“Launching into overseas markets can be expensive and it can be risky and both are a lot easier to address if you’re a bigger firm with a bigger balance sheet.”

November 14, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand visa fast track for Chinese frequent flyers

14 November 2012

New Zealand immigration authorities have reported struck an agreement with a Chinese airline to allow frequent visitors to have New Zealand visa applications fast tracked.

Frequent Chinese tourists flying with China Southern Airlines will have their New Zealand visa applications fast tracked.

Chinese visitors currently require a New Zealand visa to visit the country but under the new deal, those who visit on a regular basis will be able to a’void the necessity to answer questions’ according to a leaked memo concerning the deal.

Immigration Minister Nathan Guy said the deal, signed with China Southern Airlines, would allow more ‘high-value’ Chinese tourists to visit New Zealand easier and more often.

“Planned to start from November 22, Gold and Silver frequent flyer card holders with China Southern Airlines will not have to produce evidence of sufficient funds to support themselves, as long as they can show their flight records over the previous two years,” said the minister in a statement.

“This will make the visitor visa process more streamlined. At the same time though, applicants will still require a visa and need to meet health and good character requirements, as well as evidence of onward travel.”

China’s emergence as an economic giant has created a newly wealthy middle class with millions of people looking to travel abroad for the first time. Countries including the US and the UK have been scrambling recent months to make their countries more accessible to Chinese tourists, and New Zealand is no different.

“China is one of New Zealaand’s largest tourist markets with around 160,000 visitors coming here last year, contributing about NZ$555 million (£285 million) to the economy,” sad Mr Guy.

“However, they tend to stay for shorter periods of time. The aim of this new arrangement is to encourage more high-value tourists to visit and stay here for longer, producing greater economic benefit for New Zealand.”

November 9, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand construction to outstrip Australia, predicts largest company

09 November 2012

Fletcher Building, New Zealand’s largest listed company, has predicted the construction industry in New Zealand to outpace that across the Tasman over the next year.

Fletcher Building, New Zealand’s largest listed company, expects the building trade in New Zealand to outpace Australia in the next year.

Fuelled by the rebuilding project in Christchurch, Fletcher Building’s general manager, Philip King, says he expects construction in residential and commercial projects in New Zealand to increase over the next year while those in Australia slow.

Australian construction has propped its country’s economy up in recent years but as the mining boom slows so too has construction; Mr King says infrastructure construction will be the only sector of the industry to remain higher than New Zealand.

“What we’re seeing is Australia has been slowing down over the last 15 months in their new housing consents and New Zealand has been picking up at the same time,” said Mr King.

“Australia has quite strong housing over the last several years where New Zealand reached all time lows with its housing, exacerbated of course with what has happen in Canterbury.

“Now we’ve got the situation where accommodation in Canterbury is ready to be rebuilt and is gaining momentum, the Auckland property market is picking up and residential consents in New Zealand are starting to grow quite reasonably whereas Australia has seen a pronounced slow down.”

According to Statistics New Zealand, the number of residential consents issue in the year to June was up 14% on the same period last year, while the same statistic according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics fell by 12%.

“The future outlook means the level of work going forward over the next few years is going to be substantially better.”

Jenny Espiner, visa processing manager at the New Zealand Visa Bureau, says the recent boom in Australia has depleted New Zealand’s skilled workforce and as the construction industry picks up again, there will be plenty of opportunity for skilled foreign workers.

“With higher wages and an abundance of opportunity readily available in Australia, you couldn’t blame Kiwis for making the move,” said Ms Espiner.

“However, the Australian mining boom is slowing now and New Zealand has plenty of construction projects of its own in the pipeline.

“It’s great to see such a large corporation speaking up for the future of New Zealand’s industry and while lots of Kiwis might make the trek back across the Tasman home, foreign skilled labour will be needed more than ever in the near future.”

November 6, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Tourism New Zealand launches massive Hobbit campaign

06 November 2012

Hoping to re-capitalise on some of the magic that thrust New Zealand to the forefront of world tourism following the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Tourism New Zealand has launched a new campaign for the latest in the blockbusting franchise: The Hobbit.

New Zealand experienced a monumentous upswing in tourism following the release of the original Lord of the Rings movies.

The record setting and Oscar-winning trilogy of films directed by Peter Jackson used New Zealand’s breathtaking landscape as a backdrop to the mystical Middle Earth and catapulted the country into a worldwide destination.

International arrivals increased from under 1.5 million in 2000 prior to the first Lord of the Rings film, The Fellowship of the Ring’s release in 2001 to almost 2.5 million by the time of the last in the series, The Return of the King.

And now, with the upcoming prequel movie An Unexpected Journey about to be released as the first in a new trilogy of films which will also include The Desolation of Smaug and There and Back Again, Tourism New Zealand is hoping to benefit once more.

“We aim to show potential travellers that the fantasy of Middle Earth is in fact the reality of New Zealand,” said Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler.

The surge in popularity from the last trilogy caught many tourism operators by surprise who were unprepared for the thousands of international tourists who poured into New Zealand to see locations from the film, but all will be prepared this time.

In order to get the ball rolling, a 2 metre long sculpture of one of the series’ most famous characters Gollum has been suspended in Wellington Airport.

Tourism New Zealand has also changed its ’100% Pure’ brand to ’100% Middle Earth’, Middle Earth coins have been minted, Hobbit stamps have been issued and Wellington has dubbed itself ‘The Middle of Middle Earth’ for the film’s premiere on 28 November.

October 31, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

British miners granted New Zealand visa reprieve

31 October 2012

A pair of British coalminers who faced almost certain deportation after a New Zealand visa technicality have been granted a reprieve by Associate Immigration Minister Kate Wilkinson.

The two coal miners have been granted New Zealand visa extensions to find alternative employment.

Jason Brown and Mark Pointon had moved to New Zealand almost two years ago to take up lucrative positions with a state-owned mining company. However, just three months short of gaining permanent residency, Solid Energy announced they would be made redundant, leaving them in violation of the terms of their New Zealand visa.

The two men, originally from Yorkshire, were granted visas under the condition that they were employed by Solid Energy in positions earning at least NZ$55,000 (£28,000) a year, this meant that they could not seek work elsewhere and faced the prospect of deportation.

After appealing to Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn for assistance, Mr Kokshoorn demanded Solid Energy take account for their actions and promised to take the miners’ case to the prime minister’s office.

The case has escalated to the office of Ms Wilkinson, whose office has since informed the pair that they will be granted a visa extension provided they find alternative employment, any alternative employment, within six months.

Vicky Blyth, communications general manager for Solid Energy, welcomed the decision to extend the men’s visas but stopped short of apologising for causing their predicament.

“We’re pleased we’ve been able to get this result and that the minister and Department of Immigration have been very responsive,” said Ms Blyth.

“We hope [Mr Brown and Mr Pointon] are able to secure alternative employment, if they want.”

October 29, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand immigration authorities continue crackdown

Romys Immigration Services in the Hillsborough region of Auckland has been ordered to pay almost NZ$6,000 in fines and refunds after allowing a family to remain in the country, unaware that their New Zealand visa application had been rejected.

Prem Singh filed an initial New Zealand visa application on behalf of the family which was rejected. Instead of informing the family on their immigration status in the country, Mr Singh told them their application had been referred to the Ombudsman for review.

After failing to get back in touch with Mr Singh, his client contacted Immigration New Zealand (INZ) herself, only to discover the truth about her family’s application and to be informed they were in the country illegally.

“This was not an isolated lapse; in the course of his instructions Mr Singh consistently failed to act professionally,” found the tribunal.

New Zealand officials have made concerted efforts in recent weeks and months to combat immigration scams and Romys Immigration Services was joined by fellow fraudulent immigration adviser Barbara Parker, also known as Barbara Nassiep, in being fined by the tribunal.

Ms Parker allegedly continued to charge clients for immigration advice despite knowing her licence had expired, she also failed to sign written agreements regarding the fees she charged.

“This was not simply an issue of lack of care; she held funds she had no entitlement to, did not bank them properly and then left the country,” said the tribunal.

“Ms [Parker's] lack of remorse, insight, or even willingness to engage with what is clearly a serious complaint, is significant.”

Ms Parker awes fined over NZ$11,000. Both Ms Parker and Mr Singh were barred from applying for a renewed licence for two years.

Jenny Espiner, visa processing manager at the New Zealand Visa Bureau, says the recent spate in cases shows the government’s intention to combat abuse but also the need to ensure your adviser is certified.

“The government might be taking steps to ensure fewer people fall victim to such scams,” said Ms Espiner.

“But in the meantime, people considering moving to New Zealand need to remain vigilant and ensure any advisers they are hiring are registered with the Immigration Advisers Authority and have positive reviews on sites such as MigrationAgentReviews.”

October 25, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand immigration authorities to clamp down on migrant worker abuse

Chinese national Jingxin Tian claims South Pacific Ltd, an Auckland based confectionary distributor, made her pay over NZ$33,000 (£17,000) in exchange for sponsoring her New Zealand visa application.

The Employment Relations Authority has since ordered South Pacific Ltd to pay NZ$74,000 (£37,750) in penalties and repayments to Miss Tian for breaching statutory obligations and the Wages Protection Act.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is now investigating whether South Pacific Ltd director Catherine Guo also breached the Immigration Act, an offence which carries up to seven years in prison and a fine of NZ$100,000 (£51,000).

“Immigration will not tolerate employers who exploit migrant labour for their own commercial advantage,” said Peter Elms, general manager of intelligence, risk and integrity at INZ.

“We will take swift action against those who are implicated in such behaviour.

“Immigration takes exploitation of migrant workers extremely seriously and will take whatever action that is appropriate.”

One employment advocate with the Employment Disputes Services says the practice of extorting migrant workers in exchange for sponsorship is not uncommon; May Moncur says approximately 60 such cases have been reported in the past two years alone.

“Migrants on temporary visas often just accept the terms and conditions laid down by the employers because they want to get a permanent visa and many just don’t know their rights,” said Ms Moncur.

“Official complaints against these employers are also rare because the migrants are worried about losing their visas, getting deported and having other implications in terms of their immigration status.”

Jenny Espiner, visa processing manager at the New Zealand Visa Bureau, says it’s essential that anyone on a New Zealand visa is aware of their rights and lines of assistance they can seek if they are in doubt.

“Just because you are a migrant worker, that does not mean you should just blindly accept terms or conditions as they are handed to you, especially if they involve you handing over more money,” said Ms Espiner.

“If you are ever in doubt, consult a certified immigration adviser first.”

October 24, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

British miners face deportation over New Zealand visa technicality

Mark Pointon and Jason Brown moved to Greymouth from Yorkshire 20 months ago to take up skilled mining occupations with Solid Energy – a state-owned coal mining company. Both men were granted a New Zealand visa on the condition that they were earning at least NZ$55,000 (£28,000) a year.

The two men took up their positions and were just three months away from qualifying for and gaining permanent residency. However, in an official announcement from Solid Energy, both men are to be made redundant.

The terms of their visas require them to work for Solid Energy and earn at least NZ$55,000, meaning they are unable to accept any other position and likely to face deportation.

“Even Margaret Thatcher showed more compassion,” said Mr Pointon as he and Mr Brown appealed to Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn for assistance.

Mr Kokshoorn has demanded Solid Energy to take account for their actions and criticised the firm’s handling of redundancies.

“The management have let their workforce down,” said the mayor, who is taking the men’s case to the prime minister’s office.

“This is the government employing these people. The buck stops with them.”

Both men have been offered jobs as part of the rebuild operation in Christchurch yet the positions do not meet their visa conditions and cannot solve their predicament without more visa flexibility.

Jenny Espiner, visa processing manager at the New Zealand Visa Bureau, says it can be beneficial to know the terms of and conditions of any visa granted to avoid situations like these.

“While being made redundant is always going to come as an unexpected, and unwelcome, shock, knowing the terms and conditions of your visa – what you can do, where you can go and who you can work for – can allow you to plan contingencies should the worst happen,” said Ms Espiner.

“If in any doubt, speak to an immigration adviser to discuss the terms of your visa.”

October 23, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Philippines to join New Zealand Working Holiday Visa program

23 October 2012

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and Philippines President Benigno Aquino have signed a formal agreement to allow Filipinos access to the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa program.

The Philippines will become the latest country to join the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa program.

The New Zealand Working Holiday Visa program allows holders to live and work in the country for up to 12 months, 23 months for UK citizens; until now the program has been limited to 39 countries, including the US, the UK and Ireland.

At a joint press conference between the two leaders, Mr Key said 100 visas would be initially made available to Filipino citizens aged between the ages of 18 and 30 and represented an important step in relations between the two Pacific nations.

The agreement will also see 100 visas made available for New Zealand citizens to live and work in the Philippines under similar conditions.

“We look forward to working even more closely in the future,” said Mr Key, a sentiment which was echoed by President Aquino.

“We are on the same side on so many different issues.”

The Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two leaders also included a formal defence co-operation arrangement, which was described by the Mr Key as a formalisation of the status quo, as well as a commitment to work together on geothermal energy agreements.

President Aquino said the agreement would bring the people of both countries closer together and enhance cultural understandings and similarities.

October 12, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Tyson’s second New Zealand visa application denied

12 October 2012

Mike Tyson’s trip to New Zealand looks to be finally finished after his second New Zealand visa application was denied.

Mike Tyson was due to speak as part of the Day of the Champions tour in Auckland.

The former heavy weight champion was supposed to visit New Zealand and Australia as part of his Day of the Champions motivational talks. Tyson, 46, was originally granted a New Zealand visa but it was revoked after the sponsoring charity, the Life Education Trust, retracted its support.

Tyson required special dispensation to visit New Zealand due to the country’s immigration policies which stipulate anyone who has been imprisoned for five years or more is ineligible for a visa; Tyson was sentenced to six years in prison for rape in 1992.

After the Life Education Trust withdrew its support and the first visa application was revoked, several charities came out in support of Tyson’s visit. The Manukau Urban Maori Authority offered to support the application if Tyson spoke to disenfranchised youths in South Auckland, to which he agreed.

While the debate of Tyson’s visit raged on, the former champion’s visit to Australia was also thrown into doubt although this was eventually settled and Tyson was granted permission to visit Australia.

In the wake of being granted an Australia visa, Tyson’s sponsors hoped the momentum would continue and the second New Zealand visa application would also be granted but this wasn’t to be.

“The original decision in respect of Mr Tyson was a finely balanced call based on the letter of support from a board member of the Life Education Trust,” said Ms Wilkinson.

“When the Trust withdrew its support I received another application from Mr. Tyson’s representatives with the support of the Manukau Urban Maori Authority.

“This new application was not enough to get the application over the line and as such, I have declined to grant Mr. Tyson a new visa under the Immigration Act 2009.”

October 9, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New online New Zealand visa system for Christchurch rebuild

09 October 2012

The New Zealand government has announced the launch of an online system designed to make it easier for employers to find workers for the rebuild operation in Christchurch which will include a facility to help process New Zealand visa operations.

Immigration Minister Nathan Guy said the new online Hub would allow employers to recruit foreign labour easier.

The rebuild operation from the earthquake which devastated Christchurch in 2011 is still to begin in earnest as the city has struggled to find the necessary labour in the wake of a mass exodus following the disaster.

Employers have frequently complained over the need to have easier access to foreign labour and the government have now responded with the Canterbury Skills and Employment Hub.

“Helping people into work on the Christchurch rebuild is a key priority for this government,” said Social Development Minister Paula Bennett. “A streamlined business friendly recruitment process is vital.”

“This government is focused on skills and pre-employment training to support people into work and help break the cycle of long term benefit dependence.

“The new Hub will build on current initiatives and make the most of existing relationships with businesses in the region.”

The Hub will mainly be an online service which will allow employers to list vacancies and recruit directly from Work and Income New Zealand as well as several ongoing training programs.

One of the main obstacles to meeting the region’s labour requirements has been the argument between using local or internationally sourced labour but Immigration Minister Nathan Guy says the Hub will provide the required balance between the two.

“The Canterbury Skills and Employment Hub will also pilot a new approach to the migrant work visa process between Immigration and Work and Income,” said Mr Guy.

“This will give New Zealanders the first crack at jobs in the rebuild and save employer’s time if they have to apply to Immigration for a work visa for new staff.”

October 8, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Tyson hits back in NZ visa row

Tyson was supposed to speak in Auckland next month as part of the Day of the Champions tour. His visit was originally sponsored by the Life’s Education Trust children’s charity, however, their sponsorship was suddenly revoked, and his New Zealand visa along with it.

The decision to grant the former heavyweight champion a visa was controversial in the first place due to his 1992 conviction for rape. Current New Zealand immigration policy prevents anyone who has been imprisoned for five years or more from receiving a visa; Tyson was sentenced to six years but was released after three.

“The original decision to grant a [visa] to Mr Tyson was a finely balanced call and a letter of support from the Life Education Trust, that would have been a benefactor from the visit, was a significant factor in approving the application,” said Associate Immigration Minister Kate Wilkinson.

“Yesterday evening the Life Education Trust contacted my office and asked for that letter to be withdrawn, making it clear that the Trust no longer wants to have any involvement with Mr Tyson’s visit.

“Given that the Trust is no longer supporting the event, on balance, I have made the decision to cancel his visa to enter New Zealand for the Day of the Champions event.”

Tyson’s promoter has consistently stated their intention to secure a visa for the controversial star’s visit and now Tyson himself has come out and said the whole ordeal has ‘not been a fair fight’.

“I just wanted to go down there and just have a show,” said Tyson. “Unfortunately that had to happen – it’s one of those things in life that happens, it’s life on life’s terms and everyone has to deal with that and those uncertainties.

“The people wanted me to come. If it was a fair organisation, a fair fight I would be there but I got vetoed by the higher power.”

Another charity organisation, the Urban Maori Authority, has since announced it will support Tyson’s visa application if the former prize-fighter is willing to visit a deprived area of South Auckland and speak to troubled youths.

“We’re looking for some motivation from Tyson, someone who we look at who’s perhaps turned his life around,” said Willie Jackson of the Urban Maori Authority.

“We want him to turn around the lives of some of the people we work with in South Auckland.”

Tyson has a well publicised battle with drug dependencies, legal issues and bankruptcy. However, his talks are focussed on his attempts to reform his life and his facial tattoo is even said to be inspired by Maori heritage.

October 4, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Students deported over New Zealand visa scam

03 October 2012

Sixteen Chinese students have been deported from the country for their involvement in a widespread New Zealand visa scam which saw almost 300 visas issued incorrectly.

A routine audit carried out at a Beijing Immigration New Zealand office in July uncovered 279 New Zealand visa applications with inconsistencies.

Many of the applications included falsified bank statements and manufactured qualifications in support of student visa applications.

Further investigation revealed many of the visas holders were still in the country and steps were taken to apprehend as many as possible.

In July, Immigration New Zealand officials confirmed five people had been arrested in connection with the scam while others unknowingly affected by the scam had been given bona fide visas.

Today INZ officials confirmed 16 of the students involved had been removed from the country while one member of staff at the Beijing office in question had been removed from their post.

October 3, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand visa backtrack on Tyson trip

03 October 2012

Just days after former boxing champion Mike Tyson was granted a New Zealand visa, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) have taken a step back by cancelling the visa.

Mike Tyson looks set to skip the New Zealand leg of his motivational speaking tour.

The debate over whether to grant Tyson a New Zealand visa centred on his 1991 conviction for rape; current New Zealand immigration law stipulates that no one who has been imprisoned for five years or more is eligible for a visa.

Tyson was sentenced to six years in prison yet only served three, offering hope to his promoters that the former champion would be able to bring his critically acclaimed Day of the Champions show to New Zealand.

The debate lingered for days with Tyson himself saying via satellite link that while he would like to go to New Zealand, he would ‘not beg’ for a visa.

INZ granted Tyson a visa earlier this week citing his public profile and well documented turnaround of his life; a decision which was publicly questioned by Prime Minister John Key.

However, after a children’s charity, the Life Education Trust, which was ostensibly sponsoring the former prize-fighter’s visit withdrew its support, Associate Immigration Minister Kate Wilkinson backtracked on her decision and withdrew the fighter’s visa.

“The original decision to grant a [visa] to Mr Tyson was a finely balanced call and a letter of support from the Life Education Trust, that would have been a benefactor from the visit, was a significant factor in approving the application,” said Ms Wilkinson.

“Yesterday evening the Life Education Trust contacted my office and asked for that letter to be withdrawn, making it clear that the Trust no longer wants to have any involvement with Mr Tyson’s visit.

“Given that the Trust is no longer supporting the event, on balance, I have made the decision to cancel his visa to enter New Zealand for the Day of the Champions event.”

Tyson’s promoter Max Markson has said his client is ‘disappointed’ after losing his visa but will be launching a fresh application in the hope ‘he will get a visa again’.

October 1, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Prime Minister questions Tyson New Zealand visa decision

01 October 2012

Prime Minister John Key has openly questioned the decision to grant former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson a New Zealand visa.

Prime Minister John key has said he would not have granted Mike Tyson a New Zealand visa.

The former champion is due to speak at an event in Auckland in November as part of his Day of the Champions show; a motivational lecture through the troubled boxer’s career directed by Spike Lee.

However, the New Zealand leg of the tour was thrown into doubt when questions were raised as to Tyson’s elibility to obtain a New Zealand visa.

Current New Zealand immigration policy states that anyone who has been imprisoned for at leat five years cannot obtain a visa; Tyson was sentenced to six years for the 1991 rape of Desiree Washington.

However, Tyson only served three years of his sentence and has since turned his troubled life around. The former hitman said he would not beg to enter New Zealand but it appeared such measures would not be necesseray when his promoters announced the show would go ahead as planned.

But now Prime Minister John Key has expressed his puzzlement over the decision, saying he didn’t approve of ‘sanctioned behavious in that regard’.

Speaking to TVNZ, Mr key said that while he appreciated the offence was almost 20 years ago, he would never have approved a visa to anyone convicted of such a serious crime.

“I can see it from both sides, maybe it was a long time ago, but in my view they are very, very serious issues,” said the prime minister.

“Sometimes we make decisions tht people have done the crime, done the time and they no longer present the threat may have been the case.

“Other times we say that’s a black mark against you and we will never look through that.”

September 25, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Charity demands New Zealand visa rule change

25 September 2012

Women’s Refuge, a domestic abuse charity organisation, has slammed a New Zealand visa law which could see a victimised family deported for reporting the abuse.

The Women’s Refuge does not agree that a family should risk being deported for reporting domestic violence.

An unnamed teenage migrant reported his violently abusive father last year; the man was jailed and deported but now the rest of the family also face the prospect of deportation, having no valid New Zealand visa of their own.

The teenager, who refused to reveal his name to the Taranaki Daily News, said he wished he had never reported the abuse now.

Heather Henare, chief executive of the Women’s Refuge, slammed the law as a ‘loophole for abuse’, calling for an immediate government review of the policy to prevent abusive partners from threatening people with deportation if they report abuse.

“Men who are abusive and have control over a visa requirement are provided by law with a fantastic weapon to keep their behaviour undetected from the outside world,” said Ms Henare.

“In this case it was the brave actions of a great young man than helped to save his mother. It is terrible that this has turned into him regretted his actions.

“He should be treated like a hero for speaking out.”

Immigration Minister Nathan Guy confirmed the policy would be looked at in the near future.

Jodie List, casework manager at the New Zealand Visa Bureau, says with such a multitude of eventualities, it can be hard to account for every one during formulating a law.

“Laws try and be as far and clear as possible but there will also be exceptions that need addressing and it is unfortunate that the necessity to do so is usually created after events such as this,” said Ms List.

September 25, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Charity demands New Zealand visa rule change

25 September 2012

Women’s Refuge, a domestic abuse charity organisation, has slammed a New Zealand visa law which could see a victimised family deported for reporting the abuse.

The Women’s Refuge does not agree that a family should risk being deported for reporting domestic violence.

An unnamed teenage migrant reported his violently abusive father last year; the man was jailed and deported but now the rest of the family also face the prospect of deportation, having no valid New Zealand visa of their own.

The teenager, who refused to reveal his name to the Taranaki Daily News, said he wished he had never reported the abuse now.

Heather Henare, chief executive of the Women’s Refuge, slammed the law as a ‘loophole for abuse’, calling for an immediate government review of the policy to prevent abusive partners from threatening people with deportation if they report abuse.

“Men who are abusive and have control over a visa requirement are provided by law with a fantastic weapon to keep their behaviour undetected from the outside world,” said Ms Henare.

“In this case it was the brave actions of a great young man than helped to save his mother. It is terrible that this has turned into him regretted his actions.

“He should be treated like a hero for speaking out.”

Immigration Minister Nathan Guy confirmed the policy would be looked at in the near future.

Jodie List, casework manager at the New Zealand Visa Bureau, says with such a multitude of eventualities, it can be hard to account for every one during formulating a law.

“Laws try and be as far and clear as possible but there will also be exceptions that need addressing and it is unfortunate that the necessity to do so is usually created after events such as this,” said Ms List.

September 25, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Judge bemoans NZ immigration power after rise in drunk tourists

25 September 2012

A Queenstown judge has expressed his disappointment that he does not have the New Zealand immigration authority to deport two drunked French tourists.

Drunk tourists in Queenstown are beginning to damage the region’s reputation.

Two French men, arrested separately for alcohol related offences, appeared in a district court last week but were spared deportation as a district court judge does not have the power to rescind a New Zealand visa.

Judge Dominic Flatley told the court alochol related crime, particularly that stemming from drunken toruists, is tarnishing the region’s image and businesses within the area are beginning
to suffer.

One business owner says judges should have the power to deport tourists, or those on a working holiday visa (WHV) arrested for disruptive behaviour.

“If somebody does do somewthing which is completely anti-social, and possibly in a violent way as well, they need to go,” said Tim McGeorge who owns a backpackers establishment in the area.

Jenny Espiner, New Zealand WHV Processing Manager, said people are liable to let loose while away from home but would do well to bear in any potential consequences.

“Judges might not have the authority to deport you on the spot (yet),” said Ms Espiner.

“But there will still be a record of any arrests or charges against you during your time in New Zealand and this could affect future visa applications, not just to New Zealand but to Australia as well.”

September 25, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Judge bemoans NZ immigration power after rise in drunk tourists

25 September 2012

A Queenstown judge has expressed his disappointment that he does not have the New Zealand immigration authority to deport two drunked French tourists.

Drunk tourists in Queenstown are beginning to damage the region’s reputation.

Two French men, arrested separately for alcohol related offences, appeared in a district court last week but were spared deportation as a district court judge does not have the power to rescind a New Zealand visa.

Judge Dominic Flatley told the court alochol related crime, particularly that stemming from drunken toruists, is tarnishing the region’s image and businesses within the area are beginning
to suffer.

One business owner says judges should have the power to deport tourists, or those on a working holiday visa (WHV) arrested for disruptive behaviour.

“If somebody does do somewthing which is completely anti-social, and possibly in a violent way as well, they need to go,” said Tim McGeorge who owns a backpackers establishment in the area.

Jenny Espiner, New Zealand WHV Processing Manager, said people are liable to let loose while away from home but would do well to bear in any potential consequences.

“Judges might not have the authority to deport you on the spot (yet),” said Ms Espiner.

“But there will still be a record of any arrests or charges against you during your time in New Zealand and this could affect future visa applications, not just to New Zealand but to Australia as well.”

September 24, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand immigration gets fresh measures

24 September 2012

The Ministry for Primary Industries have agreed on a raft of New Zealand immigration border changes with Customs and Immigration New Zealand.

Auckland AIrtport has welcomed changes at improving international tourism and trade.

The changes, which are intended to make the New Zealand immigration process more efficient to encourage more tourism, have been welcomed by Auckland Airport.

“This announcement is a very welcome development that will make inbound tourism and trade easier. We know that Zealand, because of its remote location, has a competitive tourism disadvantage to many other countries and has to work harder to keep up,” said Judy Nichol, General Manager at Auckland Airport.

“We also know that the ease and quality of the visitor experience at the border can play a significant role in travellers overall impressions of New Zealand, and can play a part in driving economic growth by encouraging repeat visits.

“The friendly and professional kiwi customer service attitude is often cited in the annual Skytrax awards as a reason why Auckland Airport has been rated the best airport in Australia Pacific for the last four years in a row.

“Today’s announcement demonstrates that our border agencies take that ongoing responsibility very seriously, and are looking hard at ways to introduce new technologies and processes to not only keep improving the travel experience, but just as importantly, maintain and preserve the integrity of our border.”

The changes come following a review of the country’s border services by the border agency in the hope that risks can be better managed and trade windows can be better complied with.

September 20, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Major New Zealand immigration study commissioned

20 September 2012

A large scale research project into the effects of New Zealand immigration on the changing face of the country’s largest city Auckland has been commissioned by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Science.

Massey University has been tasked with studying the impact New Zealand immigration has had on Auckland.

Tomas Blazek moved from the Czech Republic on a New Zealand visa eight years ago and worked as a veterinary assistant for the past three. Despite being fully qualified as a veterinarian in his home country, his qualifications were not valid in his new country.

Professor Paul Spoonley of Massey University, who will be leading the NZ$800,000 (£410,000) study, says the country is currently undergoing a massive population change due to New Zealand immigration, aging citizens and community development.

“The last two decades have seen some major changes to New Zealand’s demography,” said Professor Spoonley. “Including the effect of immigration on cultural diversity and historic high levels of emigration and these will combine population aging in the coming decade to produce further changes.

“It is important that we understand these changes and how they impact on matters such as employment and economic or population growth in particular regions and cities.”

The study, titled Nga Tangata Oho Mairangi, will look at the regional and economic impacts immigration has had on Auckland and other regions between 1986 and 2013 and will contain predictions on future demographic changes to 2036.

The project will involve input from households, employers and secondary school pupils concerning their feelings toward the current and changing demographics of the country.

The study is expected to take up to two years and could influence future New Zealand visa and immigration policy changes.

September 11, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Business complaints over New Zealand visa process grow

Last week, New Zealand’s largest business advocacy group, BusinessNZ, said further steps needed to be taken to attract more migrants to New Zealand as current immigration policy makes the process difficult.

The group’s complaints are now being echoed by small business owners who typically have to tackle the process of bringing in workers themselves.

One Wellington restaurant owner said his manager’s New Zealand visa expired and struggled to secure a renewed visa due to Work and Income New Zealand’s (WINZ) insistence that local labour be sought first.

“We put an ad on TradeMe specifically for [the manager] role, we monitored it for two weeks and had maybe 40 applicants. None of them was suitable,” said Leonardo Bresolin, owner of the Wellington eatery.

“We went to WINZ with the information and WINZ said it didn’t have anyone who could fill the position. Finally, she got a letter from Immigration saying she’d been declined.”

Mr Bresolin’s manager eventually obtained a new visa just days before she would have to leave the country but Mr Bresolin says the lack of specialist knowledge within Immigration New Zealand (INZ) means that little discretion is allowed for.

“It would be good to have a case manager dedicated to hospitality, with more of a finger on the pulse.”

BusinessNZ’s complaints did not centre on policy but rather execution of policy and Bennett Medary, chair of the New Zealand Information and Communications Technologies Group (NZICT), agrees.

“The government does research and creates policy but the policy outcomes fall far short of the goal or are in contradiction because there are so many layers of obstruction between policy making, execution and reality,” said Mr Medary.

One former immigration minister, Aussie Malcolm, said immigration officials and case managers are now too preoccupied with detecting abuse of the immigration system whereas during his tenure, in the 1980s, officials were better experienced.

“They were able to exercise discretion because they had a wealth of experience,” said Mr Malcolm.

“Immigration sees the exploitative employers, bent recruitment agents, fraudulent immigration advisors. What it doesn’t seem to have is the ability to see that, for the most part, those are aberrations to the general rule.”

September 10, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

British needed in Christchurch for rebuild operation

10 September 2012

As the city of Christchurch prepares to begin its rebuild operation in earnest, Immigration New Zealand has reported that British workers have arrived in force to help out, but more are needed.

Christchurch is in need of skilled workers to help with the rebuild operation next year.

The 6.3 magnitude earthquake which struck the Canterbury region in February 2011 left 185 people dead and devastated the city of Christchurch. The recovery process of excavating and checking for structural damage began almost immediately, but the rebuild is still yet to begin.

With the rebuild expected to get underway early next year, the population of what was New Zealand’s second largest city is in need of skilled labour, and British workers have answered the call.

INZ figures show that British workers account for almost 50% of all New Zealand visa grants to foreign workers entering the country to assist with the rebuild operation. Alongside the hundreds of skilled workers in the country on a full visa, New Zealand also issued almost 12,000 working holiday visas to young British and Irish people last year and many of them are also predicted to contribute to the rebuilding.

Alex Bouma, chairman of the Canterbury Employment and Skills Board, says Britain’s strong and historic ties to New Zealand were a great benefit during times of need.

“We’ve got really good cultural synergies,” said Mr Bouma.

“There’s an excellent, highly skilled workforce that we can tap into. They can come in, do some work, add some scale and then leave again.”

Some of the occupations reportedly most in demand include quantity surveyors, engineers and construction jobs such as carpenters, joiners and painters.

“We’re inevitably going to have to look offshore. There just simply aren’t enough arms and legs in New Zealand with that sort of skill,” said Mr Bouma.

“Quantity surveyors is the key one. There’s only so many of them and you need them for every single project.”

September 6, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand employers want visas to deal with skill shortages

06 September 2012

More than 40 employers and New Zealand immigration advisers attended a forum in Invercargill last week to learn how to bring in more foreign workers to combat skill shortages.

Employers in New Zealand claim they can’t find the labour they need locally.

Several industries in New Zealand claim they will be facing crippling labour shortages in the near future unless they are given access to foreign labour.

Employers claim there is a lack of local labour prepared to work in the mechanical trade industry, the dairy industry and the service industry and that lack could become harmful unless measures are taken.

“We need to look at bringing more skilled workers in and the only way this can happen at the moment is with foreign workers,” said Jim Ridley of DN Brown Engineering.

Current New Zealand immigration policy stipulates that local labour must be sought before an employer can turn to importing labour but employers warn that much of the local labour market has inadequate skill levels for the jobs required.

“We need workers but are running into problems getting people with suitable basic skills such as a driving licence,” said one dairy worker.

Meanwhile, one cleaning firm owner who said he had previously employed foreign labour with success found more problems within immigration policy that prevented long term solutions from being found.

“I have employed several foreign workers and they do a great job but because the work is not considered skilled enough it makes it hard for them to qualify for permanent residency,” he said.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) held a forum for Southland employers last week explaining the benefits and options available to companies who wish to bring in foreign labour, claiming there is a range of options open to anyone looking to recruit from overseas.

Jodie List, casework manager at the New Zealand Visa Bureau, says policy can often get in the way of progress.

“There is plenty of opportunity in New Zealand which foreigners would be more than happy to do, businesses need workers and recently arrived migrants want to contribute to their new home, immigration policy should bear in mind what’s best for everyone in these situations.”

September 6, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Businesses blame New Zealand visa process for migrants’ reluctance

06 September 2012

A national coalition of businesses has said New Zealand visa policy confuses potential migrants.

Business NZ says more could be done to attract migrants to New Zealand

Business NZ chief Phil O’Reilly conceded that changes to New Zealand visa policy had been made to attract more migrants over the last few years but insisted that more needed to be done.

“Instead of going out to potential migrants to say ‘here are our programs’, they should say ‘if you want help, come talk to us’,” said Mr O’Reilly.

New Zealand immigration officials recently launched the site Skillfinder, which helps employers locate overseas workers. While the site is generally considered a success, Mr O’Reilly said it was just a “fantastic example of removing those roadblocks”.

The Business NZ chief said almost every sector was in need of skilled workers, from small businesses to major industries and urged Immigration NZ to move its focus away from just the lifestyle aspect of a move to New Zealand.

“We need to talk about New Zealand as a great place to work as well. For a small business, it might be offering the chance of owning that business.”

Mr O’Reilly’s thoughts were echoed by Peter Townsend, chief executive of the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce, who said foreign workers would be essential with the rebuild operation in Christchurch but policy threatened to hinder that progress.

“There is a general awareness we need to reduce the bureaucratic processes, ensure the processes are right as business friendly as possible, bearing in mind there are certain hoops we all need to jump through,” Mr Townsend said.

The Canterbury chamber runs a settlement support program to assist recent migrants and their families adjust to a new environment but Mr Townsend warned it would need expansion to cope with the influx of migrants expected when the Christchurch rebuild gathers speed.

“One of the things you find with immigration is you get the person coming in to the job and then they bring their family with them, and the family gets isolated and decides they don’t want to stay.”

September 3, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand visa system to offer early improvements

03 September 2012

A new, NZ$75 million (£38 million) IT system which will be used to process New Zealand visa applications could start producing dividends as early as next year.

Immigration Minister Nathan Guy says the ‘state-of-the-art’ system will reap dividends much earlier than its completion date.

The new Immigration Global Management System isn’t due for completion until 2015 but Immigration Minister Nathan Guy says other factors of the system, such as being able to track applications online will be ready as early as next year.

The new system was first proposed in 2007 after one Immigration New Zealand (INZ) was caught stealing government money in 2003 in an investigation which uncovered numerous flaws in the existing system.

However, it wasn’t until former Immigration Minister Johnathan Coleman warned that New Zealand risked falling behind the rest of the world in economic terms due to the sophistication, technological and security aspects of their immigration system that the plan was moved forward.

The contract was awarded to Datacom in January and is expected to be implemented in 2015.

It is understood that the new system will be heavily inspired by a similar system in Australia known as SkillSelect which allows applications to be handled more online.

Jodie List, casework manager at the New Zealand Visa Bureau, says the new system should allow for a greater degree of transparency in an application’s progress.

“Applying for a New Zealand visa can often feel a little left in the dark, hopefully the new IGM system will allow everyone to keep better track of where their application is upto and what, if anything, they will need to do next,” said Ms List.

August 23, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand visa rule threatens migrant’s stay

23 August 2012

One Wreys Bush resident could face the prospect of having to return to his native Czech Republic after unknowingly failing to meet the requirements of his New Zealand visa.

Mr Blazek may have to return to the Czech Republic if he cannot find another job before 14 September.

Tomas Blazek moved from the Czech Republic on a New Zealand visa eight years ago and worked as a veterinary assistant for the past three. Despite being fully qualified as a veterinarian in his home country, his qualifications were not valid in his new country.

In order to qualify as a vet in New Zealand, Mr Blazek took a better paid job in a weed control business to save up for his exams. However, his visa was conditional on him being employed in an occupation relative to his qualifications and as his new job was unrelated, his permanent residency occupation was withdrawn by New Zealand immigration officials.

“If I had known changing to a job that paid more so my partner and I could be more comfortable would cost me a chance of living in New Zealand, I would not have left the job,” said Mr Blazek.

The Czech man chose not to renew his work visa, believing his permanent residency application had no reason to fail; his existing work visa has since expired and Mr Blazek has had to leave his new job as he is ineligible to work.

Immigration New Zealand had not informed Mr Blazek that his change of job would affect his application but have give him until 14 September to submit a suitable offer of employment.

However, Mr Blazek says he has all but given up hope of remaining in the country despite a community effort to support his cause.

Jodie List, casework department manager at the New Zealand Visa Bureau, says Mr Blazek’s case highlights the need for migrants in New Zealand to be aware of the terms of their visas, saying they cannot rely on Immigration NZ to inform them of any mistakes they could be making.

“Immigration rules in all countries can be tricky and seem ambiguous but if your continued presence in the country hinges upon a rule, you need to know what you can and can’t do.

“If you have a change of circumstances coming up, check with either INZ or a New Zealand immigration adviser well in advance to make sure you aren’t putting your visa in jeopardy as it could be impossible to rectify later.”

August 22, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Backpackers bump up NZ economy

21 August 2012

Recent New Zealand immigration statistics show backpackers visiting the country contribute more to the country’s economy than any other tourist, and NZ is keen to capitalise.

Backpackers in New Zealand stay longer and contribute more to the country’s economy.

Tourism New Zealand’s ‘Stories Beat Stuff’ campaign was launched a year ago to combat falling backpacker numbers and the campaign is already paying dividends with numbers up across the board despite disappointing figures in regular tourism.

The three largest sources of backpackers in the country, many of them on a New Zealand working holiday visa, are Australia, Germany and the UK. Almost 10% more Australians travelled to NZ in the past year compared to previous records as well as 3% more Germans and 1% more Britons.

It’s not just visitor numbers that provide a welcome boost to New Zealand’s tourism industry though, backpackers have been shown to not only stay longer on their trips than regular tourists, but stay longer, travel wider, distributing their money around the country, and help shore up labour gaps in several industries.

Backpackers spend on average NZ$2,877 (£1,480) compared to NZ$2,360 (£1,215) of other tourists and spend over 25 days in the country compared to 16 days for regular tourists.

“[Backpackers] tend to trip around the country a lot more, so they help spread tourism business around the whole country,” said Justin Watson, spokesperson for Tourism NZ.

“They also help to fill seasonal employment through the working holiday scheme.”

The Stories Beat Stuff campaign will move into its final stage in October.

July 26, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand visa scam solved

A routine audit of over 1,000 New Zealand visa applications to the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) Beijing office earlier this month unearthed 279 student applications which used fraudulent documents to support the applications including falsified bank statements and manufactured qualifications.

Investigation

INZ identified 246 of the students were currently in New Zealand and an investigation was launched into locating them; INZ confirmed it had apprehended 36 last week, with five being prepared for deportation. Several of the Chinese nationals were found to have been working in a vineyard as opposed to studying.

While all of the students are technically liable for deportation, INZ has said that cases will be judged on an individual basis and as many of the students with fraudulent visas were reportedly unaware of the invalidity of their visa and some whose invalid visas had not yet expired have since been provided with genuine replacement visas.

Beijing

INZ chief Steve Stuart has travelled to the Beijing office where the fraudulent applications were filed and has said that all 279 applications appear to have originated with one immigration agent.

The man has been detained but reportedly refuses to be interviewed and is due to meet with Chinese authorities this week, who will decide whether he will be prosecuted.

Mr Stuart said he would also be meeting with Chinese officials to discuss a course of action, both against the man and how to ensure a similar scam doesn’t occur.

Further Effects

The scam has caused a major embarrassment to New Zealand officials but one ex-Bay of Plenty hostel manager said abuse of the system is rife and there are many similar instances to the Chinese nationals ostensibly in the country to study but actually working in vineyards and farms.

Ken Heng, who previously managed a backpacker hostel in Tauranga, said many overseas nationals entered the country on a working holiday visa and when it expired, registered with educational institutions and kept up the facade of study for months at a time.

“Once they finished their working holiday visas, they tend to go up to Auckland, sign up with a private school, get a student pass and go back to work,” said Mr Heng.

“It’s very organised, there’s a lot of them that would drive up from Napier, Hastings or the eastern Bay of Plenty to Auckland once a fortnight just to mark attendance, sign off some work they haven’t even done and it just keeps going and going.”

Mr Heng claims the problem is not only rife but no attempt is made to hide the fact:

“Everybody knows about Te Puke. That’s somewhere you can go to if you haven’t got a work permit or you’re not in country legally. It’s pretty famous – for the wrong reasons unfortunately.”

While the national government combats the negative publicity in the aftermath of the Beijing-based New Zealand visa scam, Western Bay District Council Mayor Ross Paterson played down the implications of illegal immigrants being employed in the country.

“I think it still part of economic growth and getting things to happen,” said the mayor.

“It’s allowing us to get on with servicing those orchards and the work that they do and getting the work done.”

July 25, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

One agent behind New Zealand visa scam

A routine audit of over 1,000 New Zealand visa applications to the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) Beijing office earlier this month unearthed 279 student applications which used fraudulent documents to support the applications including falsified bank statements and manufactured qualifications.

Investigation

INZ identified 246 of the students were currently in New Zealand and an investigation was launched into locating them; INZ confirmed it had apprehended 36 last week, with five being prepared for deportation. Several of the Chinese nationals were found to have been working in a vineyard as opposed to studying.

While all of the students are technically liable for deportation, INZ has said that cases will be judged on an individual basis and as many of the students with fraudulent visas were reportedly unaware of the invalidity of their visa and some whose invalid visas had not yet expired have since been provided with genuine replacement visas.

Beijing

INZ chief Steve Stuart has travelled to the Beijing office where the fraudulent applications were filed and has said that all 279 applications appear to have originated with one immigration agent.

The man has been detained but reportedly refuses to be interviewed and is due to meet with Chinese authorities this week, who will decide whether he will be prosecuted.

Mr Stuart said he would also be meeting with Chinese officials to discuss a course of action, both against the man and how to ensure a similar scam doesn’t occur.

Further Effects

The scam has caused a major embarrassment to New Zealand officials but one ex-Bay of Plenty hostel manager said abuse of the system is rife and there are many similar instances to the Chinese nationals ostensibly in the country to study but actually working in vineyards and farms.

Ken Heng, who previously managed a backpacker hostel in Tauranga, said many overseas nationals entered the country on a working holiday visa and when it expired, registered with educational institutions and kept up the facade of study for months at a time.

“Once they finished their working holiday visas, they tend to go up to Auckland, sign up with a private school, get a student pass and go back to work,” said Mr Heng.

“It’s very organised, there’s a lot of them that would drive up from Napier, Hastings or the eastern Bay of Plenty to Auckland once a fortnight just to mark attendance, sign off some work they haven’t even done and it just keeps going and going.”

Mr Heng claims the problem is not only rife but no attempt is made to hide the fact:

“Everybody knows about Te Puke. That’s somewhere you can go to if you haven’t got a work permit or you’re not in country legally. It’s pretty famous – for the wrong reasons unfortunately.”

While the national government combats the negative publicity in the aftermath of the Beijing-based New Zealand visa scam, Western Bay District Council Mayor Ross Paterson played down the implications of illegal immigrants being employed in the country.

“I think it still part of economic growth and getting things to happen,” said the mayor.

“It’s allowing us to get on with servicing those orchards and the work that they do and getting the work done.”

June 18, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand visa problems for earthquake rebuilders

18 June 2012

Foreign nationals who have travelled to Christchurch to assist with the cleanup operation of the 2011 earthquake have complained of difficulty in achieving a New Zealand visa.

Christchurch was left devastated by the earthquake which killed 185 people in February 2011.

As the earthquake which razed large parts of the city caused many residents to leave and the requirement of a large recovery operation, many foreign nationals have travelled to the city to take advantage of the job opportunities on offer and assist with the cleanup. However, many have complained that their difficult in securing the necessary New Zealand visa is hindering the operation.

Aaron Varley, a British citizen and structural engineer, said he was told he would secure a visa easily due to his qualifications while an American citizen said he and his family wanted to remain in Christchurch but could not secure a visa.

New Zealand immigration officials claim neither of the men had satisfactory employment offers to meet visa requirements stipulated on the Department of Labour’s skills shortage list.

Labour MP Lianne Dalziel called last week for Christchurch to be exempted from typical visa requirements in order to expedite the city’s recovery but the Earthquake Commission, the government agency in charge of the cleanup, says New Zealand workers will be considered for positions before overseas labour.

“We’ve made it very clear we want to exhaust all possible avenues within New Zealand,” said David Peterson, general manager of Fletcher EQR, contracted to the Earthquake Commission.

“We’ve looked to recruit from Canterbury specifically initially, then wide South Island, then wider New Zealand.”

The Earthquake Commission has currently accredited almost 14,000 workers to assist with the cleanup yet just 312 visas have been granted.

June 15, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Refugee Council slams NZ immigration proposal

15 June 2012

The Refugee Council of New Zealand has spoken out over a proposed amendment to New Zealand immigration law which addresses the prospect of mass arrivals.

The RCNZ has criticised the proposed New Zealand immigration law as ‘inhumane’.

The government’s proposed Immigration Amendment which will allow New Zealand immigration authorities to detain asylum seekers arriving in the country en masse without the need for individual warrants has been described as ‘seriously flawed’.

The Refugee Council of New Zealand (RCNZ), which has significant ties to the United Nations, says the bill overlooks the humanitarian aspects of an issue which barely affects the country.

“This ill-conceived proposed legislation is seriously flawed from multiple legal, moral or humanitarian perspectives,” said an RCNZ spokesperson. “It proposes a very bad solution to a non-existent problem.”

The country has previously had little impetus to address the prospect of asylum seekers arriving by boat as none have attempted to reach New Zealand. However, the stated intent of a group of Chinese asylum seekers arriving in Australia in April to try and reach the country despite not having the proper supplies or a New Zealand visa has prompted a response.

The group were eventually persuaded not to attempt the long and perilous trip to New Zealand and filed their claim for asylum in Australia but New Zealand want to ensure they have legislation to deal with a similar situation should it arise, a move the RCNZ claim is needless.

“The notion that this is going to somehow deter ‘people smugglers’ who have never targeted New Zealand is an absurdity,” said the spokesperson.

“The government has failed to show what useful purpose these flawed proposed amendments will serve except to seriously damage New Zealand’s international reputation.

“Not long ago, New Zealand was proud to stand up at international forums as among the best examples of fairness and humanitarian principles upholding the UN Convention [on Refugees]. If these proposed amendments go ahead, the impact will be to erode and undermine international law protecting the most vulnerable that has stood the test of time for 61 years.”

The proposals carry heavy influence from Australian law but with an influx of asylum seekers to Australia causing political strife within the country’s government, the RCNZ has accused the New Zealand government of setting themselves up for similar trouble.

“The government is ignoring international best practice and following down the very same course that the Australians have now admitted to be wrong.

“Why is New Zealand not capable of learning from the mistakes of others, rather than repeating them?”

June 13, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand visa scam tricks thousands of Tongans

13 June 2012

Thousands of Tongans have fallen victim to a New Zealand visa scam which has left many requiring urgent assistance from the government.

New Zealand immigration authorities are urging anyone affected by the scam to contact them.

Fetongi Malupo of Auckland had been targeting Auckland churches and other places where large numbers of Tongans congregate and offering to sell them a New Zealand visa for as little as NZ$300 (£150). Malupo convinced his unsuspecting victims that he had a contract with the NZ government and the visa would allow them to remain in the country indefinitely.

New Zealand immigration authorities have refuted Malupo’s claims and urged anyone affected to contact them to resolve the issue.

“If you don’t have a visa from Immigration New Zealand [INZ], it’s not a legitimate one and if it has been secured by paying money it’s just a scam,” said an INZ spokesperson.

NZ news agency ONE News contacted Malupo regarding the scheme, he maintained he was only trying to help the Tongan community.

“I helped my people, that is the only purpose from it,” said Malupo. “It was worth taking a risk and if it doesn’t work it doesn’t work.”

Malupo claimed it was another man, Kolini Tatafu, who had benefitted financially from the scheme. ONE News had previous investigated Tatafu for his part in a pensioner housing scheme in 2004.

Malupo has apologised for his part in the scam and promised to return any money he has retained..

June 12, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Politician calls for New Zealand visa exception

12 June 2012

As the New Zealand visa application and acceptance rate drops for Christchurch, Labour MP Lianne Dalziel has said visa rules should be relaxed to allow the city’s cleanup operation to continue.

Clean up of the earthquake is still ongoing.

A recently released report shows that the Christchurch branch of Immigration New Zealand (INZ) received the lowest number of New Zealand visa applications since 2003 and the foreign nationals who are already there are beginning to struggle to find work and therefore qualify for a work visa.

Christchurch has relied heavily on foreign workers to assist with the cleanup operation following the earthquake which devastated the Canterbury city two years ago.

New Zealand visa application rates dropped below the 10,000 mark in the 2011-12 financial year, compared to almost 14,000 in 2009-10. Of the applications received in the current financial year, almost 800 have been declined and Labour MP Lianne Dalziel says this is disappointing.

“After the earthquakes local Labour MPs did talk to the government about how people would leave Christchurch because they had lost their jobs and that’s what happened,” said Ms Dalziel, adding that the government should not be “tightening the rules on skilled migrants who actually want to be in Christchurch and have shown a commitment.”

Critics of Ms Dalziel claim that New Zealanders should now be given priority for job opportunities and, as the number of migrants in Christchurch hard to track due to the fragile infrastructure, INZ needs to maintain control on new entrants:

“People might be here on a New Zealand working holiday visa and just happen to come to Christchuch because they think they can find work there or they are applying through different channels, maybe residency,” said an INZ spokesperson.

“We can track the people coming through the Canterbury shortage list but if not then it’s different.”

Ms Dalziel disagrees.

“I don’t disagree with [giving New Zealanders priority] at all but there is enough work to go around and the government should be training people to take work with the Canterbury rebuild.”

May 30, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand visa scheme goes from strength to strength

30 May 2012

Recent research shows a New Zealand visa scheme which allows foreign workers to work on agricultural projects within the country continues to benefit the country as a whole.

Immigration Minister Nathan Guy has hailed the RSE as a success.

The Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) which grants international workers entering the country to work on farms, orchards and vineyards a New Zealand visa has been hailed by Immigration Minister Nathan Guy as a success.

“The RSE policy was designed to help with seasonal labour shortages in the horticulture and viticulture industries, and this new research shows the scheme is working well,” said Mr Guy.

The immigration minister said the research, carried out by Department of Labour illustrated the RSE’s popularity. Mr Guy said the programme ensured overseas workers were paid the same as New Zealanders as well as helping local businesses to thrive.

“Research on earnings and return rates found that the majority of new workers will return to work another season in New Zealand, many for the same employer

“RSE workers are paid the same rate as New Zealand workers and have the same protections under law. Data shows that mean gross seasonal earnings are around NZ$12,700 [£6,175] per worker, most of whom spend between three and seven months working New Zealand.”

The RSE scheme currently attracts as many as 8,000 workers to the country each year to fill gaps in the labour market which local workers cannot fill. Mr Guy said employers can only employ an overseas worker if a New Zealander is unavailable which, in an industry requires as many as 50,000 workers per season, still leaves plenty of room.

The RSE scheme allows the country’s agricultural industry, one of the most important to New Zealand’s economy, to prosper and has proved so successful it has inspired an Australian equivalent.

The use of overseas workers is often a controversial subject from those who believe that locals should be prioritised but Mr Guy said he was pleased with the report’s findings and that New Zealand immigration officials will continue the scheme cautiously.

“These reports are encouraging and the government will continue to monitor the scheme closely,” concluded Mr Guy.

May 15, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand visa numbers fall

15 May 2012

New Zealand’s Department of Labour has reported that the number of people entering on a New Zealand visa has fallen 12% in the past nine months.

The number of people in the country on a New Zealand visa has fallen, reports show.

The Department of Labour said there had been just 13,265 New Zealand visa approvals between July 2011 and March 2012, nearly 1,800 fewer than in the same period the year before.

The fall in the number of foreign workers in the country has been largely attributed to the uncertain nature of many countries’ economies as many people with essential skills choose to remain in their own country.

The country has already taken steps to combat the decrease as New Zealand immigration authorities announced last week that changes would be made to visa policy which would make the country a more attractive prospect but as labour shortages grow larger, more changes may need to be made soon.

Despite the fall, an 18% increase in applications from India has seen the country become the joint largest contributor of skilled labour to New Zealand, although the increase has been played down by the department’s report.

‘The increase from India is mainly due to former Indian international students who transition to temporary work and then to permanent residence,’ said the report.

India joins the UK as New Zealand’s largest source of skilled labour with 17% of the total number of visas being granted to British and Indian citizens each. The Philippines were the third largest contributors with 12%, China and South Africa with 8% and Fiji with 7%.

May 11, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Union speaks out against New Zealand visa surplus

11 May 2012

The decision to grant a New Zealand visa to over 300 applicants despite a computer error has sparked outrage from a national trade union.

First Union has accused the government of irresponsibility over the decision to grant an extra 306 New Zealand visas.

First Union, which represents workers in a variety of industries, has criticised the government’s decision to uphold over 300 New Zealand visa approvals mistakenly granted due to an IT error when there are local workers, as well as migrant workers already in the country on a visa, who are out of work.

Immigration authorities yesterday decided to grant 306 visas to applicants who were mistakenly informed that their applications through the Silver Fern visa programme had been granted, despite the 300 allocation having already been filled.

The Silver Fern programme allows migrant workers aged between 20 and 35 to enter New Zealand for nine months to seek work in a skilled occupation. Once employed, they are granted another two year visa and allowed to apply for permanent residency. The programme is a relatively new addition to New Zealand immigration options, having only been implemented in 2010, but has proved extremely popular.

Over 4,000 applications were received within half an hour of the 2012 programme opening, with the 300 spaces available being filled almost immediately. However, a computer error mistakenly informed a further 306 people their applications had been successful.

Immigration New Zealand originally tried to reject the applications, informing the 306 surplus applicants of the mistake and advising them to try again next year.

However, after an outcry from several immigration professionals, the decision was taken to grant the visas to all 606 people; Immigration Minister Nathan Guy expressed his disappointment and ordered an inquiry into how the error occurred.

While the decision to grant the visas was appreciated by rejected applicants and their immigration advisors, First Union has claimed it is irresponsible for Immigration New Zealand to allow surplus workers into the country when there are native New Zealanders, as well as previous Silver Fern applicants in New Zealand who are out of work.

“We are concerned at the current level of employment and the fact that the government is not providing training for locals and those already here to fill in the skills gap,” said First Union’s support co-ordinator, Dennis Maga.

“We should not be giving out hundreds of Silver Fern visas to foreigners when there is no counter programme to up-skill those in New Zealand.”

May 11, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand immigration authorities catch people smuggling couple

11 May 2012

New Zealand immigration authorities have arrested a husband and wife couple suspected of attempting to smuggle nine women through the country.

The largest ever people smuggling has prompted New Zealand immigration authorities to call for vigilence.

The nine women were stopped in Kuala Lumpur while attempting to board a plane and were questioned by New Zealand immigration officials via phone after their stories did not make sense.

The women originally tried to convince officials they were part of a tour group before switching their story to being old school friends. However, after not being able to identify each other by name, suspicions were raised and they were taken into custody.

“They couldn’t tell us where they were staying, who paid for their tickets or how they were paid for,” said Immigration New Zealand (INZ) Border Operations Manager Karen Urwin.

Ms Urwin said the group did not have enough money to pay for their supposed intentions, which were to travel around New Zealand’s South Island.

“As a result all nine passengers were denied boarding to Christchurch as we doubted their intentions.”

Suspicion was raised about the group after a husband and wife travelling to New Zealand were apprehended when they were apprehended and questioned about their own intentions. The wife was prevented from boarding another plane due to an alert on her passport was placed due to the belief that she had previously been suspected of people smuggling.

The husband continued his journey to New Zealand, something INZ doubted.

“That in itself was quite suspicious,” said Ms Urwin regarding the husband’s apparent disregard for his wife’s apprehension; he was detained in Christchurch as there was insufficient evidence to detain him in Kuala Lumpur.

“We put a flag on him to say we were a bit suspicious about him but didn’t have enough evidence to say ‘you can’t come here’.

“He got quite agitated and said ‘but I’ve got a tour group coming tomorrow’ and that’s when we started to ask questions.”

The apprehension of the nine women comes just a week after another person was arrested at Auckland International Airport on suspected people smuggling charges. The nine women however is the largest such arrest in New Zealand’s history.
“This is the largest single offload that INZ has completed and highlights how crucial it is that we share information with our international partners to protect the integrity of our border,” said Ms Urwin.

May 11, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Changes to New Zealand visa processes

10 May 2012

Immigration Minister Nathan Guy has announced changes to New Zealand visa processes which will make the country more attractive to prospective migrants.

New Zealand Immigration Minsiter Nathan Guy announced the changes.

Under the changes, New Zealand visa applicants will have the speed of their applications processed depending on their incomes and language skills.

“We are making changes to give priority to migrants who can make a real contribution to New Zealand,” said Mr Guy. “Overall we expect these changes will eventually save the taxpayer around NZ$40 million [£19.5 million] a year.”

“There will be a new two-tier process for the parents of New Zealand citizens and residents who want to migrate here. Applications from parents who have higher income sponsors, or who bring a guaranteed income or funds, will be processed faster than other applications.”

Mr Guy added that migrants who have a poor grasp of the English language will be required to purchase English language tuition and, in the case of parents of New Zealand citizens or residents, the period of support will be extended from five years to 10.

“As a result of these policy changes, many skilled migrants who have residence here can sponsor their parents and will receive a quicker decision with less red tape.”

May 10, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Computer error sees hundreds granted New Zealand visa

10 May 2012

A computer error at Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has seen more than double the number of allocated places in the Silver Fern New Zealand visa programme granted.

More than 300 people who were told their New Zealand visa application had been rejected due to a computer error will receive their visas.

The Silver Fern programme, which allows skilled migrants aged between 20 and 35 a chance to move to New Zealand, runs each year and has an allocation of 300 places. However, after receiving over 4,000 applications within the first half an hour of opening, a computer error occurred which informed over 600 people their applications for a New Zealand visa had been accepted.

Despite the 300 places being filled, a further 306 people were informed their applications had been successful, only to be informed hours later in an email from New Zealand immigration authorities that there had been a technical fault.

‘We regret to advise you of a technical fault…and that your application was accepted in error,” said the email.

Rejected applicants were told they would receive a refund and were advised to apply again ‘when the quota reopens about this time next year’.

Immigration Minister Nathan Guy has expressed his disappointment at the error and ordered a report as to why the error occurred originally.

However, after receiving widespread criticism from immigration specialists, Immigration New Zealand has confirmed it will honour the original acceptance and process the surplus applications.

“INZ has reviewed the circumstances and in an act of good faith will accept all applicants who completed the application process with confirmed payment,” said Rob Stevens, service support general manager at INZ.

“It is pleasing to see such large numbers of young, skilled migrants from all over the world wanting to come to New Zealand.”

The decision to grant all erroneous applications came after pressure from professionals, many of whom had clients rejected following the error.

“Here we are trying to encourage more to use Immigration’s online services, but what we have is an agency with an archaic computer system that cannot support it,” said New Zealand Association for Migration and Investment Director Katy Armstrong.

“It doesn’t help our efforts in trying to get skilled migrants to come in.”

May 8, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Authorities reach New Zealand visa agreement to boost student numbers

08 May 2012

Educational and immigration authorities have reached an agreement to speed up New Zealand visa processing times in an effort to boost international student numbers.

Increased cooperation between the two governmental agencies is hoped to increased New Zealand visa numbers for international students.

Immigration New Zealand and Education New Zealand have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in order to reduce New Zealand visa processing times for international students to as little as 10 days in the hope that the ease of application will tempt more international students to the country.

As well having reduced processing times for visa applications, international students will also have a dedicated points of contact within both New Zealand immigration and education government bodies to assist with any difficulties that may arise.

The MoU has been hailed as a significant example of government agencies working together in order to benefit the country.

“The international education industry is worth just over NZ$2 billion [£970 million] to New Zealand’s economy,” said Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce.

“It is a bridge between New Zealand and the world. We want to double the economic and social benefits that international education brings over the next 15 years.

“Only by the government working closely with the [education] sector, and developing initiatives such as this that support growth will we achieve that goal.”

Mr Joyce’s praise for the scheme has been echoed by Immigration Minister Nathan Guy, who says the MoU will mean more involvement in the education industry for immigration authorities.

“Immigration New Zealand plays a key role in facilitating the entry of around 100,000 international students who come here each year,” said Mr Guy.

May 3, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand immigration law progresses through parliament

03 May 2012

A recently proposed harsh New Zealand immigration law which aims to deter asylum seekers from attempting to reach the country has progressed through parliament by 63 votes to 57, suggesting it could be passed into law by the end of the year.

New Zealand wants to provide a strong deterrent to asylum seekers considering travelling to the country.

Under the new law, New Zealand immigration officials will be able to detain large groups of people, such as the number which could arrive on an asylum seeking boat, under one warrant rather than needing many individual warrants as well as allow the detaining of any arrivals for as long as six months.

The law was proposed recently in response to 10 Chinese asylum seekers who declined to claim asylum in Australia and declared their intention to sail on to New Zealand.

The group was eventually convinced of the perils of attempting to cross the Tasman Sea with such little maritime experience but the prospect raised concerns in New Zealand nonetheless.

No asylum seeking boat has ever made it to New Zealand but the government fears people smugglers will soon begin to attempt to take advantage of relatively lax laws which are currently enacted in the country.

“People smuggling is a trans-national crime that grossly undermines a country’s sovereign right to determine who crosses into its territory,” said Immigration Minister Nathan Guy.

“It circumvents border security and threatens the integrity of the immigration system; it also puts the lives of those who are smuggled.”

Mr Guy, who announced the proposal recently alongside Prime Minister John Key, said he hoped to have the bill passed into law before the end of the year.

Now the proposal has successfully made it through its initial reading in parliament, it will now be considered by the transport and industrial relations committee.

Despite passing the vote, the bill’s proposal has sparked debate within New Zealand politics with opposition politicians claiming due to New Zealand’s remoteness, asylum seeking is an almost negligible threat.

“This bill addresses an issue that simply isn’t before New Zealand as a threat at the moment, it is a waste of the time of the parliament,” said Labour MP Charles Chauvel.

May 1, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Amnesty International expresses concern over new New Zealand immigration law

01 May 2012

Amnesty International has called on the New Zealand government to reconsider its new, tougher New Zealand immigration law which will impose mandatory detention on asylum seekers in favour of addressing the issues in asylum seekers’ home countries.

Amnesty Internationalhave urged the New Zealand government to address issues in other countries before closing their borders first.

The proposed law would allow New Zealand immigration authorities to detain large numbers of asylum seekers under a single warrant and detain them for up to a maximum of six months. However, Amnesty International feels the resources and expenses needed to implement the scheme would be better spent addressing issues in nations which produce refugees.

“We’d urge that if energy is going to be put into this issue it happens at the source, the countries these people are fleeing from,” said Amnesty’s Acting CEO Rebecca Emery.

“We have robust systems for dealing with asylum seekers already in the countries. Let’s look at the systems we have and not bring a system which I don’t think is going to work.”

Prime Minister John Key, alongside Immigration Minister Nathan Guy, announced the new scheme yesterday, saying New Zealand needed a strong deterrent to send a “strong message that queue jumpers won’t be tolerated, and people smugglers will not be rewarded.”

New Zealand’s plan was prompted after 10 Chinese asylum seekers, claiming to be persecuted members of the Falun Gong spiritual movement, announced their intention to seek asylum in New Zealand, despite their vessel becoming stranded in Australia.

The group were eventually persuaded to lodge their claim for asylum in Australia and New Zealand’s proposed system has definitely been influenced by similar Australian laws. Ms Emery has labelled this move a mistake as Australia’s detention system has been fraught with difficulties in recent times with riots in detention centres last summer and Amnesty International recommending the immediate closure of another centre earlier this year.

There has been some doubt expressed over New Zealand’s desperation to implement an asylum seeker law which deals specifically with boat arrivals due its remoteness. However, Mr Guy feels that it is necessary given a steel hulled vessel carrying 500 asylum seekers travelled 13,000km to Canada two years ago.

While Ms Emery admits there is a risk New Zealand could receive a massive arrival of asylum seekers by boat, she says the risks are “miniscule in terms of the movement of refugees and asylum seekers.”

April 30, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Tough New Zealand immigration laws to discourage asylum seekers

30 April 2012

New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key has announced that tough new New Zealand immigration laws will be passed in order to discourage asylum seekers from attempting to reach the country.

Primie Minister John Key says New Zealand needs a tough deterrent to prevent people smugglers.

Mr Key said new New Zealand immigration laws will show that the country, currently with no mandatory detention policy, is not a soft destination for people smugglers.

While no asylum seekers have ever made it to New Zealand by boat, the news of the intended change comes after 10 Chinese asylum seekers attempted to make it to New Zealand before being convinced of the dangers of the journey and deciding to make their asylum claim in Australia.

Announcing the laws alongside the prime minister, Immigration Minister Nathan Guy said the proposed laws were intended to tackle the prospect of a mass arrival of potentially illegal immigrants and include the ability to detain large numbers of people as part of a ‘group warrant’ as opposed to individual warrants.

“The recent events in Darwin show that New Zealand is a target for dangerous and illegal mass arrivals by boat. We need to be prepared,” said Mr Guy.

“[The new law] means Immigration New Zealand will be able to focus on managing immediate risks, rather than being tied up in paperwork and clogging up the courts.

“A mass arrival would likely include people whose identities are unknown or in doubt, so it is necessary to use detention to manage the security risks.”

Mr Guy said the bill would have its first reading in coming weeks and that it would be passed before the end of the year.

New Zealand currently has no mandatory detention policy in place and little trouble from asylum seekers due to the country’s remoteness. However, Mr Guy feels tighter controls will both provide a legal avenue should some begin to arrive and safeguard the country’s interests from scrupulous people smugglers.

“This legislation is not about punishing people with a genuine claim for refugee status,” said Mr Guy.

“It’s about sending a strong message that queue jumpers won’t be tolerated, and people smugglers will not be rewarded.”

April 26, 2012 in Buy goods, NZ Jobs by @PICKAPICKER

SINGLE SHEPHERD – Mackenzie

More info Paddy Boyd (03) 6806637

We have a position on Haldon Station in the Mackenzie Basin for an experienced shepherd with a good team of dogs.
Haldon Station is a 20,000ha intensively run high country property running Merino sheep, Hereford cattle and a large herd of deer.
Excellent single accommodation is supplied with all meals provided and an attractive package is available to the right applicant based on experience and ability.

Apply with references to:
Paddy Boyd
Haldon Station
Private Bag 66015
Fairlie. 7949
Phone: 036806637

Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work permit.

April 25, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Asian and Middle Eastern students enjoying easy New Zealand visa

25 April 2012

Latest figures from immigration authorities show a sharp rise in the number of Asian and Middle Eastern taking a New Zealand visa in order to study, providing a welcome boost to the country’s international education sector.

New Zealand’s international education sector is benefitting from Middle Eastern and Asian students wishing to study there.

Latest figures from Immigration New Zealand show significant rises in New Zealand visa applications from Saudi Arabian students as well as Indian students and Chinese students with 19%, 17% and 11% increases respectively.

The increase has been attributed to a relaxation of New Zealand immigration policy which allows temporary visa holders to attend short courses without the need for a student visa combined with increasing restrictions on competing countries such as the US and Australia.

Saudi Arabian student Abdul-Azeem Fakhr said he chose New Zealand because he could not get a visa for the United States. Mr Fakhr said New Zealand’s popularity among his peers in Saudi Arabia as well as other Gulf nations because it was ‘easier to get a visa’.

Meanwhile, head of Islamic Research at the University of Auckland, Zain Ali said New Zealand’s popularity boost was being helped along by a perceived ‘Muslim-friendly’ atmosphere.

“The environment in New Zealand is seen to be more accommodating to students from the Middle East, and there’s a lot of halal food and there isn’t an issue with finding halal home stays as there are many Muslim families here,” said Mr Ali.

New Zealand has welcomed the influx of Middle Eastern and Asian students as an appreciated boost to its international education sector; currently worth NZ$2.3 billion (£1.2 billion), the government hopes to double its worth to over NZ$5 billion (£2.5 billion) over the next decade.

Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce said there was just 67 Saudi students in New Zealand in 2002, compared to over 7000 today. Mr Joyce said he hopes to encourage more students to come to New Zealand and spent last week promoting the country as an international study destination in Saudi Arabia’s capital city Riyadh.

April 12, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand immigration advisor fined $21,000

12 April 2012

An Auckland based New Zealand immigration advisor has been fined NZ$21,000 (£11,000) after exploiting one client and giving such bad advice to another that the client was in the country illegally.

A disciplinary tribunal said Kumar was using New Zealand immigration laws to exploit clients.

Rajesh Kumar, of Hannahraj Consultants Limited in Auckland, has surrendered his licence and been fined for attempting to extort NZ$1,000 (£515) from a client who had already paid NZ$3,600 (£1,850) and had his New Zealand visa approved.

Instead of informing the client his application had been successful, Kumar withheld the man’s passport and demanded more money from the client. The client complained to the Immigration Advisers Authority, but not before Kumar had also faxed the client’s office ‘intending to embarrass him’ by demanding a further NZ$500 (£257).

In his defence, Kumar attempted to blame his aunt and memory less, claiming he could not ‘distinguish between reality and imagination’.

At a Disciplinary Tribunal, New Zealand immigration officials rejected his claims and described Kumar’s actions as ‘beyond belief’.

“I was left in no doubt from Mr Kumar’s attitude and actions, he thought his professional standing would allow him to exploit a client with impunity, and he systematically sought to do so in this case,” said the chair of the Immigration Advisers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal.

In a second case, it was revealed that Kumar encouraged a second client to follow an alternative route to apply for a work permit, instead of the route outlined in official documentation.

When the client sought legal advice to complain about Kumar, Kumar himself wrote to the lawyer claiming the client was a criminal and to the New Zealand Law Society to complain about the lawyer.

Kumar claimed that he could not verify the advice he had given the client as “he knew of no more experienced immigration adviser than himself”.

“Mr Kumar’s misconduct is largely a result of his wrong, and contemptuous views of the immigration regime he is required to work with,” said the chair of the tribunal.

“The personal denigration of a former client and their counsel as a response to a complaint is wholly unprofessional, and I regard that conduct as reprehensible.”

April 2, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand visa health checks relaxed to boost student numbers

02 April 2012

International students will no longer have to pass rigorous health checks in order to qualify for a New Zealand visa, the government has announced.

Immigration Minister Nathan Guy announced the changes in the hopes of increasing international student numbers.

New Zealand’s education industry has suffered in the wake of the Global Economic Crisis and the earthquake which devastated Christchurch in 2011. However, the government hopes to ‘cut the red tape’ surrounding New Zealand visa applications to make it easier and more appealing for foreign students to study in New Zealand.

“International education is worth NZ$2.3 billion [£1.2 billion] to the economy a year and indirectly supports around 32,000 jobs,” said Immigration Minister Nathan Guy.

Changes to the New Zealand immigration process will take effect from July and include foreign students no longer needing to provide full medical assessments, a newly introduced health insurance requirement and screening of partners or dependent children will be limited to serious conditions.

“These changes will make it easier for low-risk, high-value students to come to New Zealand,” said Mr Guy.

International students will only be screened for tuberculosis upon entering the country under the system, which Mr Guy says will save approximately NZ$17 million (£8.7 million) a year in medical costs.

International student numbers dropped by almost 40% following the Christchurch earthquake in February 2011 and numbers are only just beginning to recover. The government has reportedly pledged NZ$5 million (£2.5 million) to help revive the industry and is considering adding work rights to short term visa holders.

March 27, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell, Fun & adventures, Looking for by @PICKAPICKER

Nomad-a

De seguro muchos amigos te ayudan en el camino…

El elenco está conformado por colaboradores profesionales y amigos, a quienes he conocido durante mis travesías.

Gareth Sheehan, cinematógrafo y editor neo zelandés radicado en Hawái. Albert Ibañez comunicador audiovisual y editor chileno, Cluadia Vieira, diseñadora grafica y fotografa sud-africana. Eduardo Pérez, moderador del sitio internet, ecuatoriano radicado en Nueva Zelanda. Eddie Salazar ecuatoriano, asistente encargado de la parte ejecutiva y guionista.

Raúl explica que Nómad-A es “el único documental en el mundo en exponer el estilo de vida de personas comunes y corrientes viviendo vidas extraordinarias”.

Producida en 25 países alrededor de 5 continentes, ya han sido invitados a varios festivales de cine como Londres y Newquay (UK) y están a la espera por Sídney, Honolulu, New York, Los Ángeles, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Tokio, Berlín y Zúrich.

Read more

March 26, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand visa rules update means migrants tread thinner ice

26 March 2012

Immigration NZ has announced that migrants convicted of minor offences such as drink-driving and shop-lifting could put a migrant’s New Zealand visa in jeopardy.

Changes to New Zealand visa policy could result in migrants failing to receive another visa

The change, which is effective immediately, grants Immigration NZ’s officers the power to decline New Zealand visa applications from those migrants convicted of drink-driving, burglary, shop-lifting, disorderly behaviour and cannabis related charges.

“These instructions will include any applicant who has been convicted at any time of a criminal offence in New Zealand for which the court has the power to impose a term of imprisonment of at least three months,” said Rob Stevens, a spokesman for Immigration NZ.

Mr Stevens said further changes would make it harder for visa applicants who leave the country before a deportation order can be served to reapply for a further visa.

“The change means that people who have been served, or would be served, a deportation liability notice as a result of a conviction but who leave [the country] either during the 28 day appeal or before the deportation order has been served will now be able to be declined a further visa.”

Despite the seemingly tougher rules, Mr Stevens said immigration officers have been granted an element of discretion in their process, and can grant a character waiver in cases where a denial would be ‘unduly harsh’.

The changes come as the government attempts to get to better grips with New Zealand immigration policy and ensure that any migrants entering the country meet certain standards and do not overstay their visas.

The government recently announced that it would begin fining airlines that do not carry out the desired amount of checks on passengers boarding flights to New Zealand while the rate of refused entry for passengers arriving in the country have risen to almost 1,200 in 2011.

March 19, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Airlines face fines over New Zealand visa checks

19 March 2012

Under new immigration rules, international airlines which do not ensure that passengers have the appropriate New Zealand visa or permission to enter the country will be fined.

Airlines flying into New Zealand will face fines if they have failed to check passengers’ credentials properly.

Almost 800 passengers were stopped at the country’s airports in 2011, for reasons including false documentation, criminal convictions or simply not having a New Zealand visa.

New Zealand immigration authorities are then forced to process the failed entrants, which can take up to 72 hours and cost NZ$600 (£310) per passenger for food and police supervision.

The government has since introduced new legislation which will require airlines to properly check passengers’ documents before allowing them to board the plane. Failure to do so will result in a fine of an as yet undetermined amount, although it is likely it will be enough to cover the cost of processing each failed passenger while reflecting ‘the seriousness of each offence and the level of deterrence sought’.

“The introduction of this system will enable immediate, efficient and proportionate action to be taken when carriers breach their obligations,” said Peter Elms, acting manager of intelligence, risk and integrity at Immigration New Zealand.

“A carrier that commits an infringement offence may be issued an infringement notice, and then is liable to pay an infringement fee.”

Immigration Minister Nathan Guy said the new rules are expected to come into effect around June.

“It’s important we protect our borders and encourage compliance with the law,” said Mr Guy.

The new fines are similar to policies already in place in the UK, the US, Australia and Canada.

March 14, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell, Fun & adventures, Looking for, Recommended by @PICKAPICKER

PickaPicker – Adventure Services

BOOK your adventure now!

Fishing Charters are one of the most popular of outdoor activities for Kiwis, and for a good reason! We are fortunate to have fantastic fishing right on our doorstep.

Few other countries offer such a great diversity of species and opportunities for big and small game hunting as New Zealand. Here a selection of some of our favorite Adventures that offer top value and great experiences.

March 8, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Auckland Airport welcomes New Zealand immigration changes

08 March 2012

A plan released recently concerning the future for New Zealand immigration officials has been welcomed by Auckland Airport as beneficial to the country’s tourism and export industries.

Auckland Airport has welcomed the proposed changes to New Zealand’s immigration policy.

Auckland Airport general manager of corporate affairs, Charles Spillane, congratulated New Zealand immigration officials for their proposed improvements to immigration policy.

“In a global climate when immigration matters are often very sensitive, Immigration New Zealand [INZ] is fast becoming a model for a progressive, smart immigration service that keeps the bigger goals in mind,” said Mr Spillane.

“This future vision will help them find the optimal balance between protecting the integrity of New Zealand and promoting better social and economic outcomes by making it easier for the best qualified migrants and highest-value visitors to get here.”

Mr Spillane said that under the proposed changes, a new immigration system focussed on efficient processing of New Zealand visa applications will help overcome any disincentives of doing business in, or a holiday to, New Zealand, particularly the country’s remoteness.

“The commitment made by the government to a new high-tech online immigration system will, when fully implemented, make a huge difference to the ease of visa applications for positional migrants and visitors.

“New Zealand has some significant disadvantages in global tourism and trade terms. Basically, we are small and we are a long way from anywhere. Because of this, New Zealand must have fewer barriers to visitation or doing business with than with our global competitors. Having a world-class immigration system and visa application process will make a real difference to that goal.

“We all have shared goals in seeing New Zealand succeed globally and in accelerating our economic prospects, our future living standards will depend on it. We look forward to working with INZ on turning their vision into more visitors, more trade opportunities and more value for New Zealand.”

March 8, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand visa plan welcomed by politician

07 March 2012

New Zealand’s immigration minister, Nathan Guy has welcomed plans to streamline the New Zealand visa system in order to better facilitate applications.

Immigration Minister Nathan Guy welcomed the changes to New Zealand immigration policy.

Mr Guy said Immigration New Zealand’s released plan, entitled ‘Vision for 2015′, would authorities to cope with new volumes of New Zealand visa applications.

“Immigration New Zealand has put a lot of hard work into winning back the confidence and trust of the public and the government. This plan is an important step towards building on these achievements,” said Mr Guy.

“The department now makes around 500,000 visa decisions a year, and the quality and timeliness of decision making has greatly improved, along with employer and client satisfaction levels.”

Mr Guy went on to explain further changes to the system which include a NZ$75 million (£39 million) investment into online processing of visas and changes which are intended to reduce costs of applying for visas.

Mr Guy said the changes to New Zealand immigration policy were due to the country’s need to keep up with competing countries in the world for tourism, education and immigration.

“Immigration makes a major contribution to New Zealand’s economy,” said Mr Guy. “New migrants add an estimated NZ$1.9 billion [£1 billion] to our GDP every year, international students contribute NZ$2.3 billion [£1.2 billion] and inbound tourists around NZ$9 billion [£4.7 billion].

“We are competing with other developed countries for the same pool of potential migrants, students and visitors. This is why we need to improve how we operate.”

March 7, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Politician defends preferring wealthy in New Zealand visa plan

06 March 2012

Reports that changes to the New Zealand visa system will favour the wealthy have been defended by the country’s immigration minister.

Immigration Minister Nathan Guy has defended the government’s plan to give New Zealand visa preferences to wealthier applicants.

A cabinet paper leaked yesterday explained that under the new rules, those with higher incomes or the potential to contribute more to the economy would have their New Zealand visa applications processed faster.

The report’s contents were condemned by the opposition’s immigration spokesperson, who claimed report was proof of the government’s view that “money is all that matters”.

However, Immigration Minister Nathan Guy has supported the changes, speaking on a national TV channel, Mr Guy claimed the government would “make no bones” about favouring wealthier migrants in their immigration policy.

“We want to ensure that those that are coming into our economy can hold down a job,” said Mr Guy

“Hard working taxpayers of New Zealand need to know that their money is being well invested not spent on people sitting around on benefits.”

Mr Guy explained that the measures were intended to combat the number of people abusing New Zealand immigration privileges by moving to the country and relying on benefits despite securing the requisite job offer needed to be approved a visa.

“We’ve found that after a study we have done in the 18 months that a third of them have ended up requiring a benefit.”

Under the proposed changes, families with dependent children or parents whose adult children are sponsoring their visa applications may not receive a New Zealand visa if they do not meet economic requirements.

“Make no apologies,” said Mr Guy. “This government is focussed on driving the economy forward, where possibly we want migrants coming in that can perform in our modern day economy.”

March 5, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand visa system to favour the wealthy

05 March 2012

A review of the New Zealand visa process will introduce a two tier system which will favour the wealthy.

New rules governing New Zealand visa approvals favour the wealthy.

Under the new system, applicants who are categorised as ‘high-income’ will have their New Zealand visa processed more quickly than those who do not qualify.

In a Cabinet paper obtained by an opposition party member, the aim of the new scheme is to “reduce the number of unskilled migrants who find it difficult to get jobs and are more likely to get benefit payments.”

Other changes include applications from parents whose child is acting as a sponsor will not be prioritised if the child is not high income, applicants will no longer be able to bring dependent children with them and applicants with poor English skills will be required to purchase language instruction before they are granted a visa.

The paper explains that any applicants who can guarantee to contribute to the New Zealand economy will be prioritised, although no explanation is given as to how income or wealth will be determined.

“Tier-one parents will be eligible regardless of what country their other adult children live in, while the criteria for tier-two parents will be tightened so that only those who have no adult children living in their home country will be eligible.”

The opposing Labour Party’s immigration spokesperson, Darien Fenton, said the proposed changes to New Zealand immigration policy were proof of the government’s view that “money is all that matters”.

“This will come  as a shock for the thousands of people in New Zealand looking to reunite their families, especially given the special treatment handed out to millionaires such as [incarcerated Megaupload founder] Kim Dotcom,” said Ms Fenton.

“We are becoming a country where only those with money are welcome.”

A spokesperson for Immigration Minister Nathan Guy declined to comment but promised to look into the matter.

February 28, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand tourists spend big on budget options

28 February 2012

Recently released figures show that New Zealand’s popularity as a backpacking destination is paying dividends with a large proportion of tourism revenue coming from budget options such as camp sites and holiday parks.

Camping has proved a popular option for New Zealand’s many tourists.

While the typically expected luxury travellers remain the biggest spenders, holiday parks and camping grounds come a close second with an average spend of NZ$3,693 (£1,950) compared to the luxury traveller’s average NZ$3,836 (£2,020).

This statistic is made even more surprising in comparison to the NZ$2,240 (£1,200) average spend of New Zealand’s tourists across all accommodation options.

However, with a little more analysis, the trend can be explained.

The many tourists visiting the country on a New Zealand working holiday visa typically spend much longer in the country and see a lot more of the country’s famous countryside.

“[Budget accommodation visitors] spend money on an enormous range of goods and services, in addition tourism activities and attractions,” said Fergus Brown, chief executive of the Holiday Accommodation Parks Association of NZ (HAPNZ).

Mr Brown further explained that not only do budget travellers provide greater sums to the New Zealand economy, but also how they spend their money.

“They shop locally, buying grocers, petrol and personal items, bring extra income to local businesses.”

Approximately 70% of the budget traveller’s expenditure is after their arrival in New Zealand, rather on expensive booking prices for luxury accommodation.

February 16, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Authorities defend decision over Megaupload founder’s New Zealand visa

16 February 2012

New Zealand Department of Labor’s acting head has claimed the decision to grant notorious Internet entrepreneur, Kim Dotcom, a New Zealand visa followed correct procedure.

Megaupload’s founder Kim Dotcom was granted a New Zealand visa under controversial circumstances.

The German-Finnish entrepreneur was granted a New Zealand visa in 2010 under the Investor Plus category which permits people to gain residency if they are willing to invest NZ$10 million (£5 million) in a government scheme.

However, the decision to grant Dotcom a visa was controversial due to his previous convictions in Germany for insider trading as well as the handling of stolen goods and embezzlement.

Further scrutiny was placed on the decision when Dotcom and three others were arrested on 19, January at the NZ$30 million (£15.5 million) mansion they were renting on charges of copyright infringement due to the hugely popular website Megaupload and its subsidiaries.

Prime Minister John Keys had ordered New Zealand immigration officials to review the case and check the validity Dotcom’s case .

The acting chief executive of New Zealand Department of Labor, appearing before a Parliamentary select committee to answer questions regarding the case, defended the department’s decision to grant the visa and claimed all proper protocol had been abided by and that Dotcom had met the criteria to qualify for the Investor Plus program.

Dotcom remains in custody while an extradition order from the United States is pending.

February 15, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Immigration authorities clamp down on New Zealand visa fraud

15 February 2012

Immigration authorities in New Zealand have promised to continue deporting those who fraudulently apply for or abuse the rights their New Zealand visa provides them.

New Zealand’s immigration authorities have promised to continue deporting foreign nationals who abuse their visas.

Recent figures released show that 57 people had their New Zealand visa cancelled and were deported by immigration authorities due to either criminal convictions or failing to meet the terms of the visa’s requirements.

“People wishing to make their future [in New Zealand] must meet immigration policy to become a resident,” said Steve Stuart, New Zealand Immigration’s general manager, intelligence, risk and integrity.

“And that includes telling the truth and being who they say they are.”

These statements come just a week after an Indian woman was deported after entering New Zealand on a false passport in 2002. Harleen Singh, 29, then used the passport to obtain residency, citizenship and even her own New Zealand passport.

Ms Singh entered New Zealand under a false name after failing to gain a genuine New Zealand visa under her on name.

Mr Stuart revealed that 24 individuals who held residency status in the country were deported last year; two were deported for having obtained their residency status by “fraud, forgery, false or misleading representation” and a further five were deported for not meeting the “requirements imposed on their residence permits.”

Mr Stuart said a foreign national obtaining residency often led to citizenship status and eventually a New Zealand passport and it is for this reason why authorities are taking such a strict view on the exploitation of New Zealand immigration policy.

“Identity fraud is a major challenge for Immigration and is not tolerated. We investigate and we prosecute because the integrity of our immigration is paramount, given its importance to New Zealand and our international reputation,” he concluded.

February 7, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Aussie criminals fool New Zealand immigration checks

30 January 2012

Australian migrants with histories of crimes including drug dealing, rape and violent crimes have managed to con their way through New Zealand immigration processes and continue their criminal careers.

The lacking flow of information between Australia and New Zealand has seen criminals slip through to both countries.

New Zealand immigration figures show that more Australians than any other nationality were deported from the country between 2006 and 2010.

While Australian citizens don’t require a New Zealand visa to visit the country, they do need a valid passport and to be of ‘good character’ to enter the country. The application requires applicants to state whether they have previous convictions, charges or were ever under investigation in their native countries.

However, reports of Australian criminals being convicted of attempted murder, rape and murder in New Zealand, despite already having similar convictions in their native Australia has raised concerns about the immigration process.

A spokesperson for the Immigration Operations Support defended the immigration process and reported that almost 2.5 million Australians make the trip to New Zealand each year and these reports represent a tiny proportion.

The spokesperson said their checks were reliant on criminal records and blamed the few cases of criminals making it to New Zealand on a lack of access to full criminal records for every country.

These reports come just shortly after similar news of Kiwi criminals bypassing Australian visa checks and managing to commit further crimes in Australia.

This lack in communication between the two nations has prompted talks between Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key who have announced improved access to each other’s criminal record databases.

The new access will be tested with a six month trial programme for Kiwis wanting to work in Australia. However, if the test is successful it is hoped the scheme will be rolled out across both countries.

“New Zealanders come here, Australian’s go to New Zealand, so it makes sense to have this six month study to see how we can have a more automatic approach to sharing the kind of information that people want when they are vetting a new employee” said Ms Gillard.

February 7, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Forced marriages: A New Zealand visa or disgrace and deportation

31 January 2012

Recent reports of a 17-year-old Wellington girl who was threatened with deportation unless she married a distant relative have sparked outrage from both international and local charities.

Reports of marriage being forced upon the young woman under threat of deportation has sparked outrage.

The unidentified teenager’s Muslim immigrant parents became concerned that their daughter was becoming too westernised and attempted to wed her to a distant relative. When she refused, the family threatened her with deportation, then, on the premise of having her sign New Zealand visa papers, conned her into signing marriage papers.

The young woman was then forced to go and live with her new husband and his family, who kept a tight watch on her for over two months. She managed to escape and contacted the police and ethnic women’s charity Shakti.

A spokesperson for Unicef New Zealand has condemned the forced marriage, calling it a serious violation of the woman’s human rights. He cited a report for the Committee of Equal Opportunities for Woman and Men from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe which states:

“It is an outrage that, under the cloak of respect for the culture and traditions of certain communities, there are authorities which tolerate forced marriages although they violate the fundamental rights of each and every victim.”

Unicef New Zealand has called for legislation to be introduced in New Zealand which would outlaw both forced and child marriages; while the case of this young woman may not be enough to involve the New Zealand immigration authorities, it is hoped that new legislation will make future cases similar to this one illegal.

February 7, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

New Zealand immigration boosts Auckland’s population to milestone number

01 February 2012

New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, has reached a significant landmark as its population reached 1.5 million people for the first time.

Auckland’s population has grown in size by 50% since 1996.

While a better quality of life leading to people living longer and an increased birth rate remain the dominant sources of the city’s population rise, the increasing range of diversity and mix of cultures in the city indicates another factor: New Zealand immigration.

The University of Auckland’s Associate Professor Elsie Ho said Auckland attracted large numbers of migrants, particularly those of Asian origin, due to its metropolitan lifestyle, great environment and good schools.

“Immigration policies favour the young, affluent and qualified – and starting a family or raising a family is why many of them choose to come to New Zealand”.

As much as the population, the growing number of foreign nationals applying for a New Zealand visa has contributed to the changing ethnic makeup of the country; diversity trends suggest that by the end of the current decade, Europeans will make up just half of Auckland’s population, compared to 60% today.

Even 60% of Auckland’s population today demonstrates the diversity of Auckland’s population as the national average is well over 70%.

By 2021, statistics indicate that almost 30% of the population will be Asian, 17% Pacific Islanders and just 12% will be Maori.

Auckland’s population milestone means that the city ranks in fifth place across Australia and New Zealand behind Sydney (4.6 million people), Melbourne (4 million), Brisbane (2 million) and Perth (1.7 million).

Population Statistics Manager Andrea Blackburn said Auckland reached 500,000 people in 1961 and took a further 35 years to reach the 1 million landmark at the 1996 Census.

“The 1.5 millionth person [in Auckland] could be a migrant coming from overseas” said Ms Blackburn.

February 7, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Norwegian adventurer accidentally kidnaps Kiwi on way to South Pole

01 February 2012

An infamously reckless Norwegian adventurer was so rushed in his departure from an Auckland harbour after New Zealand immigration authorities attempted to serve him with deportation papers that he accidentally took a repair man with him.

The unnamed man is on his way, against his will, to one of the most inhospitable and dangerous places in the world.

The unnamed marine mechanic was allegedly working on the 52 ft Nilaya yacht’s anchor when New Zealand immigration officials arrived at the harbour intent on ordering skipper Jarle Andhoy out of the country.

Andhoy’s New Zealand visa had been cancelled after it was revealed he had been deported from Canada; the authority’s efforts to remove him forced Andhoy to set off from Auckland earlier, and much quicker, than he had planned, accidentally taking the repairman with him.

Andhoy aims to make a second attempt at sailing to Antarctica to recover the lost remains of his first yacht, Berserk II, which sank and killed three men in 2011 while Andhoy and a friend tried to reach the South Pole on quad bikes.

Andhoy, who refers to himself as a ‘Viking’, and his friend needed airlifting to safety by the New Zealand authorities, who hadn’t permitted the trip in the first place.

The authorities are even less pleased about the current journey; New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully said “it’s fair to say the actions of the skipper are of some concern to the New Zealand government and have been for some time.”

“The Southern Ocean is one of the most remote and inhospitable areas in the world. New Zealand government agencies are obviously concerned about any possibility that there could be a repeat of last year’s events in the Ross Sea.”

New Zealand authorities are reportedly trying to locate the Nilaya but New Zealand Prime Minister admitted there was no plan to intervene to rescue the marine mechanic, who is unlikely to have adequate clothing or food supplies to last the trip.

Andhoy admitted to the Norwegian public broadcasting service NRK that having the Kiwi on board was “a somewhat tricky situation” but that “everything is on schedule and the atmosphere is good on board.”

“We are well prepared for what may befall us.”

Norwegian media estimated that it would be at least another week before the Nilaya reaches the Antarctic.

February 7, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Cameron becomes Kiwi

01 February 2012

Record breaking director James Cameron and his family have purchased some exclusive farmland property to the east of Wellington.

James Cameron, arguably the biggest and powerful director in Hollywood, is moving to New Zealand with his family.

Mr Cameron, director of Avatar and Titanic, becomes the latest celebrity to emigrate to New Zealand after buying two farms in South Wairarapa.

The director, whose films have grossed more than any others in the history of cinema, is said to be “thrilled to be making a new home in New Zealand” with his family.

Land Information New Zealand documents show that Mr Cameron had received approval to buy the properties under his company Anglin Classics.

“We love the rugged landscape and the spirit of the people here” said Mr Cameron in a statement. “We are looking forward to becoming resident on our beautiful farm. We hope we will be accepted as good neighbours and good members of the community in South Wairarapa.”

Mr Cameron announced late last year his intention to visit native New Zealander Peter Jackson on the set of his newest blockbuster The Hobbit. Peter Jackson, one of New Zealand’s most famous sons, is attempting to combine the success of his previous Tolkien instalments with the 3D technology pioneered by Mr Cameron’s epic success Avatar.

It would now seem as though Mr Cameron has fallen in love with the country with the announcement that he intends put his New Zealand visa to full use and live in the country indefinitely.

New Zealand isn’t home to just two of Hollywood’s elite, albeit two of the most powerful names in Hollywood, country music star Shania Twain also owns property in the country, as does Tom Cruise and Lord of the Rings star Elijah Wood.  

February 7, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Family’s last ditch appeal for New Zealand visa

02 February 2012

A New Zealand based family are facing deportation to India after their last lifeline, a 12 month New Zealand working visa, expired two months ago.

New Zealand immigration authorites had ordered the family to leave before granting them a 12 month reprieve.

The Hastings based couple now have 42 days to appeal to New Zealand immigration authorities on humanitarian grounds. Sital Ram Mall and Usha Rani are desperately trying to secure permission to stay in New Zealand to be with their three young children, all New Zealand citizens.

The couple had been in New Zealand for eight years, overstaying a previous visa when they were issued with removal orders in late 2010. However, the couple were granted a 12 month New Zealand visa which allowed them both to work legally and remain with their family.

Mr Mall had also been held in detention for 70 days while he awaited the decision of the immigration authorities.

Despite a year of reprieve, the family have now been plunged back into uncertainty as their visa has now expired and have once again been issued with removal orders.

The family’s immigration consultant, former immigration minister Tuariki Delamere, said the family still did not meet the criteria to be granted residency.

Now facing the prospect of having to return to India, several people have spoken out in support of the family, claiming that, as the family are members of the shunned ‘untouchable caste’ they would have to live in squalor.

With just 42 days to now appeal the decision, family friend Julie O’Shea said “the family is back to square one. The stress is showing and it’s simply not fair on little families like this.”

Most of the concerns voiced have been in regards to the children:

“How are they meant to live? Talk about emotional abuse of these children, especially here in New Zealand where we don’t accept abuse of children” said Ms O’Shea.

February 7, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Migrant students endure awful working conditions to keep New Zealand visa

02 February 2012

Several Asian students working at a local shop in Auckland have accused their employer of slave labour after claiming to have been sexually harassed while working for less than minimum wage.

Staff at the Sky Liquor store in Auckland were allegedly humiliated, abused and even threatened.

The group, who entered the country as students using a New Zealand visa, claim to be living in fear after allegedly being threatened with deportation if they did not comply with the owner’s demands.

They said the owner of the shop repeatedly abused and humiliating them; one of the unnamed group said:

“[The owner] will come and say ‘are you gay’, tap on our hip or sometimes try to pull down our pants, and then he’d take off his pants in the shop in front of everybody.”

The group were initially reluctantly to seek help and instead tried to talk to the owner about the issues but were met with hostility, including violent threats.

“I tried to say something to him once,” said one of the students. “He said to me ‘I know how to put my foot on the Indian’s neck’.”

Another student claimed the boss had told him he would complain about the student’s work and put his visa in jeopardy.

They explained further that they were expected to work much more than the 20 hours a week allowed under New Zealand immigration rules for student visas; one student claimed he had worked for three months straight with only two days off.

Another of the group alleges that the owner of the shop claimed to threaten to kill him on at least two separate occasions.

A reporter from news source ONE News attempted to talk to the owner but was informed that the employer, Ala’a Yousef Bader, did not work there and they must have the wrong address.

The owner of the building later confirmed it was in fact the correct address.

The group of students, who are from India and the Philippines, have now sought legal help; Max Whitehead, who is representing the group, claims that he had never heard such severe allegations in 25 years of practising law.

“Treating people like this in New Zealand is slave labour,” said Mr Whitehead. “We don’t need these sorts of people here.”

New Zealand’s Department of Labour has since confirmed that it will be investigating these allegations.

February 7, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Excessive police force during deportation could lead to New Zealand visa

03 February 2012

Two separate inquiries have ruled that New Zealand immigration and police officials breached the limits of their legal powers when they prised an Indian woman’s fists open to put her fingerprints on her deportation papers.

Ms Kapila’s fists were forcably prised open by police officers

The result of the inquiry now entitles Pooja Kapila to continue her fight for a New Zealand visa and remain in the country with her husband and two children.

The woman’s husband, Satinder Kapila, has also now been released from detention after nearly four months in Waikeria Prison while he awaited his own deportation; New Zealand immigration authorities did not contest the decision to release Mr Kapila.

Inquiries by the police and immigration officials both ruled that obtaining Ms Kapila’s fingerprints by force – prising open her clenched fists – constituted excessive force. New Zealand immigration authorities have ruled that, as a result of the inquiries, the family can lodge a deportation appeal and apply for a New Zealand visa.

Mr Kapila admitted after his release that his wife’s ordeal was a blessing in disguise and he was happy to be reunited with his wife, his daughter Simran, 14, and his son Abhay, 9.

The family arrived in New Zealand 10 years ago and was under the assumption that the immigration lawyer they had been paying to secure them permanent residency was still representing them.

However, when immigration authorities raided their home and took Mr Kapila into detention it was revealed their last visa application was filed in 2005.

Ms Kapila has since stated she will not pursue any disciplinary action against the officers responsible for her ordeal, believing they had acted in good faith and was imply grateful for the opportunity to stay in New Zealand.

February 7, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

NZ government luring top staff with relocation payouts

06 February 2012

Recently revealed information shows that New Zealand’s State Services Commission secured the talents of some top bureaucrats by offering as much as NZ$50,000 (£26,000) to cover flights, accommodation and New Zealand visa expenses.

Foreign executives are being tempted to New Zealand with large salaries and relocation payouts.

The commission, which is responsible for ensuring New Zealand’s public sector organisations run effectively, had kept how they were managing to tempt top staff with a New Zealand visa a closely guarded secret but a ruling by the Ombudsman’s office forced them to reveal the details.

The State Services Commission claimed in a statement that the amount offered to top executives was an appropriate estimate of how much it costs to emigrate to New Zealand and that the amount would have to be repaid if they leave the job within a year.

Some commentators have voiced their surprise at the relocation payments, especially when taken into account the salaries of the positions they are offered with.

Kevin Woods, who formerly ran NHS Scotland, earns almost NZ$50,000 (£26,000) a month as the Director-General of Health while Education Ministry Chief Executive Lesley Longstone, formerly the Director General of Young People in the UK’s Department of Education, earns approximately NZ$660,000 (£348,000) a year.

Other foreign talent recruited by the State Services Commission include American Janet Grossman as the head of Work and Income and the head of the Treasury, Gabriel Makhlouf: another Briton. The Inland Revenue and Economic Development Ministry also have high ranking executives from outside of New Zealand.

There have been concerns that such high ranking positions have not been filled by native New Zealanders with Labor State Services Spokesman Chris Hipkins stating New Zealand “should be able to fill these positions ourselves.”

Iain Rennie, State Services Commissioner, declined to comment on the issue but said on the commission’s website that “chief executive vacancies are widely advertised. While the majority of chief executives are New Zealanders or have a New Zealand background, the search can extend overseas in order to reach the broadest range of talent.”

February 2, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Vineyard Supervisor

Position commences 05.03.12 and continues until .

There are 5 positions available.

Position Description

Supervision of a vineyard team (approx 20 people). Assisting and reporting to management. Training of new field staff. Translation and interpretation for Thai workers. Compliance – quality control, immigration, performance, employment. Assist with overseeing accommodation and transport of workers.

Pay Conditions

Starting rate $16.00 per hour (inclusive of 8% Holiday Pay). 4 weeks annual leave after one year’s employment. Variable hours, approx 45 per week, weather dependent. Usually Mon – Fri.

Accommodation

Available at cost. Approx $120-130 per week.

Other Information

RSE Employer.Member NZ Master Contractors.Must be fluent in Thai and English.Must have excellent knowledge of and demonstrated competence in vineyard operations. Must have at least 1 year experience. Apply in handwriting to PO Box 29-329, Fendalton, Christchurch 8540.

Contact

Lei-Anne Bashir-Elahi
Business Manager
Call 021 810 087

Business Information

Nearest Town: Blenheim

Phone 021 810 087

Havenleigh Global Services Ltd
PO Box 8250,
Havelock North,
Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

February 1, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Vineyard Work in Marlborough

Position commences now and continues until all year.

There are 120 positions available.

Position Description

There are jobs pruning trimming wrapping striping vines. Mostly men do Pruning stripping and girls doing trimming wrapping.

Pay Conditions

Pay is weekly. Our working period is monday to sunday paid on thursday night. Pay go to your bank account.

Accommodation

You can stay by arrangement with Duncannon backpacker.393 Main road Blenheim.

Other Information

Only applicants from New Zealand, Australia or with work permits may apply for this position.

Contact

Sukhjinder Cheema

Call 0272544508

Business Information

Nearest Town: Nelson and Picton

Phone 0272544508

savvy contracting 2008 Ltd
Unit6,
First Floor,
Forum Bulding, Market St Blenheim .

February 1, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Kiwifruit Pickers Required

Position commences All Year and continues until All Year.

There are 30 positions available.

Position Description

We operate in Tauranga, Papamoa and Te Puke – 2 Month minimum stay required to work for this company. Kiwifruit work from 15 March – 15 June, then after that there is winter pruning, summer pruning work and thinning etc. work available. Contact Varsa (Supervisor) 027 765 7978 or Raju (Assistant Manager)027 765 8646 or Kelly 07 573 8433

Pay Conditions

Good pay dependent upon work outputs. $14.02 including holiday pay for summer pruning per hour and $15 including holiday pay for winter pruning per hour, Green pruning on contract rate. Own Transport and Cell phone required – but transport can be provided $7.00 per day pick up and drop off from home to work.

Accommodation

Other Information

Only applicants from New Zealand, Australia or with work permits may apply for this position.

Contact

Kelly Singh

Call 027 248 1309

Business Information

Nearest Town: Te Puke

Phone 027 248 1309

Bagri Contracting Ltd
PO Box 718,
Te Puke,
, Kelly: 027 248 1309 or 07 573 8433

February 1, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Fruit Pickers Needed in Nelson

Position commences February and continues until May.

There are 15 positions available.

Position Description

Apple picking

Pay Conditions

Contract rates paid

Accommodation

Limited sleeping quarters for approximately 15 people.Tent sites and campervans welcome

Other Information

Please only apply if you intend to stay the entire season – starts approximately 15th February and ends approximately 15th May.

Only applicants from New Zealand, Australia or with work permits may apply for this position.

Contact

Anna
Director
Call 03 526 6020

Business Information

Nearest Town: Motueka

Phone 03 526 6020

AB WOOD HOLDINGS LIMITED
Lower Moutere,
Mariri,
Motueka,

February 1, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Waiter/Waitress (Must be Experienced)

Position commences 02 February 2012 and continues until End April 2012.

There is 1 position available.

Position Description

30 plus hours per week employment offered at NUVOLARI, we are a busy 130 plus seater Italian Restaurant Bar in Rotorua.

TO APPLY ………………..

YOU MUST BE A HIGHLY COMPITENT WAITER/WAITRESS WHO CAN HANDLE A SECTION OF 9 TABLES OR 38 PAX UNDER BUSY DEMANDING CONDITIONS OVER OUR SUMMER PEROID and have no problem speaking and understanding English.

You must be prepared to travel to Rotorua for a short meeting/interview soon before we could offer you a position, please do not reply if this is not possible.

Work will be on a rostered basis between our opening hours 11.00am until about 11pm.

Would suit overseas travellers as supplementary income, you must have legal rights to work in New Zealand and an IRD number.

If you would like to be part of Nuvolari, have an interesting personality, can be spontaneous and are onto it please contact us soon.

Pay Conditions

TBA

Accommodation

Other Information

Contact

Geoff Ray
Manager
Call 64 7 3481122

Business Information

Nearest Town: Rotorua

Phone 64 7 3481122

Italiano Populace Fare
1122 Tutanekai St,
Rotorua,
New Zealand,

January 24, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Experienced stonefruit pruner with Hydraladder experience.

Position commences October and continues until April.

There are 20 positions available.

Position Description

A family orchard with a mixed variety of fruit to be picked. Packing shed work available also.

Pay Conditions

Hourly rate some contract

Accommodation

Some accommodation available on-site

Other Information

Only applicants from New Zealand, Australia or with work permits may apply for this position.

Contact

Bill

Call 03 449 2629

Business Information

Nearest Town: Clyde

Phone 03 449 2629

Forrests Orchard
Strode Rd Earnscleugh Alexandra,
,
,

January 24, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Kiwifruit Orchard Workers

Position commences 16/01/2012 and continues until 15/02/2015.

There are 10 positions available.

Position Description

No experiece required. This is physical work so you have to be fit and willing to work outdoors.
Preferably you have your own car, or we can arrange transportation to the orchards for our guests.
Long term positions available for commited workers

TAURANGA CENTRAL BACKPACKERS
www.tgabackpack.co.nz
jobs via TCB

Pay Conditions

To be confirmed with orchard/contractor

Accommodation

Stay with us at Tauranga Central Backpackers – special weekly rate for working holiday travellers
62 – 64 Willow Street,
Tauranga 3110

www.tgabackpack.co.nz

Other Information

Contact

Gina Maher

Call 07 571 6222

Business Information

Nearest Town: Tauranga

Phone 07 571 6222

Tauranga Central Backpackers
64 Willow Street,
Tauranga,
,

January 24, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Mt Cook Cafe Bar en Restaurant

Position commences Position available now. and continues until Long contract for the right person.

There is 1 position available.

Position Description

This iconic cafe, bar, restaurant and extensive historic photographic gallery is full of character and spirit is looking for staff. We have positions for an experienced CHEF. We have staff accommodation available in the Mt Cook village. Opportunities exist for full time staff.
We are looking for someone who may be prepared to stay longer term.
We will also have wait staff positions coming up in February. Email us with your details if you’re interested.

Pay Conditions

To be negotiated

Accommodation

Staff accommodation available in the Mt Cook village.

Other Information

Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is a World Heritage Park. It’s very spectacular and a great playground. We also operate Glacier Kayaking trips and a range of mountaineering activities. Check out our website www.mtcook.com

Only applicants from New Zealand, Australia or with work permits may apply for this position.

Contact

Charlie Hobbs

Call 64 3 4351 890

Business Information

Nearest Town: Mount Cook

Phone 64 3 4351 890
Fax 03 4351 891

The Old Mountaineers Cafe Bar and Restaurant
Larch Grove,
Mount Cook,
,

January 24, 2012 in Advice, info, buy & sell by @PICKAPICKER

Waiter for luxury Lodge

Position commences December 2011 and continues until .

There is 1 position available.

Position Description

We are looking for a hard working team member for our busy restaurant to help us with Breakfast and Lunch service.
Experience in a hotel or restaurant is essential.
A minimum stay of 12 weeks is required. You need to have your own transport from and to the Lodge.

Pay Conditions

Hourly pay depending on experience.

Accommodation

There is no accommodation on site but there are several backpackers and campsites in the area.

Other Information

Only applicants from New Zealand, Australia or with work permits may apply for this position.

Contact

Julia Carlsen

Call 06 8751900

Business Information

Nearest Town: Te Awanga

Phone 06 8751900

The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, Luxury Lodge
PO Box 8850,
Havelock North,
,