23/01/2022 - Plea for more government support for businesses worst-hit by Omicron

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The government is being urged to explore a targeted wage subsidy and labour support for tourism and hospitality businesses as the Covid-19 restrictions are tightened up.

The move to the red traffic light setting means hospitality venues using vaccine passes are limited to 100 people, based on one-metre distancing.

Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce chief executive Leeann Watson said tourism and hospitality businesses were not only going to be hurt by revenue losses, but also staff shortages due to isolation rules.

Read more: 23/01/2022 - Plea for more government support for businesses worst-hit by Omicron

24/01/2022 - Please note

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Our office will be closed temporarily on Monday 14 February to 21 February 2022. During that time I will have very limited access to email. Please rest assured that I will respond to you once back in the office.

20/12/2021 - Border Updates

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The planned re-opening of the NZ borders has been pushed back

Fully vaccinated Kiwis and other eligible travellers now won't be able to travel to New Zealand from Australia or other countries without staying in MIQ until the end of February 2022

Change to MIQ - length of stay increased to 10 days for all travellers, with no self-isolation component.

All countries removed from Very High Risk country list, this means New Zealand citizens or New Zealand residents and eligible visa holders will be able to travel directly to New Zealand from Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Seychelles, Mozambique, or Malawi.

Pre-departure test requirement to enter NZ reduced from 72 hours to 48 hours before travel

20/10/2021 - Covid-19: Chief Ombudsman investigating MIQ booking system after hundreds of complaints

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The Chief Ombudsman is launching a "broad investigation" into the Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) booking system after receiving hundreds of complaints.

Managed Isolation and Quarantine online booking page with no availability.

Peter Boshier said there were common themes in the 200 complaints he had received.

"The complaints fit into four broad categories - they claim the allocation system is unlawful, unfit for purpose, unfair, and poorly managed. I have decided to do my own independent investigation into them all."

He said one the specific complaints was that disabled people were being disadvantaged.

"I have concerns about whether the online booking system is accessible and whether suitable alternatives are being offered for those who have difficulty using this digital platform."

He acknowledged the MIQ system was "set up quickly in response to an immediate crisis" and border restrictions and managed isolation and quarantine facilities are going to be "a fact of life for some time to come".

"I want to find out how MBIE is responding to these concerns and whether it has a robust plan in place for allocating places in the coming months and years. If there is not, I will recommend it makes improvements."

Source: RNZ News

15/10/2021 - NEW Travel requirement

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As from 1 November 2021, non-New Zealand citizens aged 17 years and over must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter New Zealand. 

New Zealand permanent residents and temporary visa holders are not New Zealand citizens and will need to declare vaccination or exemption (evidence of either will be required): 

• when booking places in managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) 
• when checking in for the flight, and 
• to Customs officers in New Zealand. 

The last dose of an approved course of vaccine must have been taken at least 14 days before travel. Travellers who fail to meet requirements will not be permitted to board their flight. 

New Zealand citizens, children aged under 17 and travellers who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons do not need evidence of vaccination to enter New Zealand. 

Please find the list of approved COVID-19 vaccines here at; https://covid19.trackvaccines.org/vaccines/approved/#vaccine-list

11/10/2021 - From the NZ Herald

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Visa ruling 'a delight' after long battle

04/10/2021 - Questions & answers one off resident visa

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The 2021 Residence Visa

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS to the new one off resident visa

Refer also to our FAQ Page

Are you eligibility for the One Off NEW 2021 Residence? Note that the checker is a guide and not a confirmation of eligibility

03/10/2021 - One-off residence visa (Opinion)

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Yes, the announcement from the Minster of Immigration on 30 September 2021 regarding the One-off residence visa is very welcome and massively important news!

It however only solves the issues relating to the backlog from INZ noting that this backlog is NOT due to Covid 19, it did already exist before the outbreak of Covid 19. Residence applications were in the queue for allocation for well over 6 to 12 months while the final decsion would be from 1 year to well over 16 months.

Read more: 03/10/2021 - One-off residence visa (Opinion)

01/20/2021 - Immigration: What we’ve all been waiting for

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At last! Action from the government on the issue of residency for migrant workers – and relief for thousands of visa holders who meet the just-announced criteria.

An estimated 165,000 migrants on temporary work visas could be fast-tracked for the 2021 resident visa, which will offer a simplified pathway to residency on a one-off basis, primarily to workers in health care, education, and primary industries.

Immigration minister Kris Faafoi says more than 5,000 health care workers, 9,000 primary industry workers, and 800 teachers will be eligible.

Read more: 01/20/2021 - Immigration: What we’ve all been waiting for

30/09/2021 - Breaking News - Govt smooths residency pathway for most work visa holders, amid backlog

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An estimated 165,000 migrants currently in New Zealand may be eligible for a one-off, simplified pathway to residence in the coming months. 

It follows mounting criticism of the Government over its backlog for expressions of interest for the Skilled Migrant Category visa. The list has been frozen since April 2020. 

As of last month, the backlog stood at about 12,000 EOIs for those who are already in New Zealand. Meanwhile, there are about 1500 applications from people offshore. 

Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi on Thursday announced applications to get the 2021 Resident Visa would open in two phases: on December 1 and on March 1, 2022.

Read more: 30/09/2021 - Breaking News - Govt smooths residency pathway for most work visa holders, amid backlog