29/03/10 - Changes to policy taking effect 29 March 2010

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Monday, March 29, 2010

A number of changes to Immigration New Zealand's operational policy take effect on 29 March 2010. These are;

New Silver Fern work policies

The Silver Fern policies will target young, highly skilled people from overseas, and allow them to enter New Zealand to find skilled employment. They include:

• Silver Fern Job Search Policy
• Silver Fern Practical Experience Policy.

There are 300 places available each year, beginning 27 April 2010. The quota will be managed by an online application system.

Working holiday schemes

Changes to working holiday schemes (WHSs) include:

• the introduction of WHSs for young citizens of Spain and Slovenia
• change in the age limit of the Canada WHS (from 18-30 to 18-35 years)
• Japanese working holidaymakers are no longer restricted to a maximum of three months working for the same employer
• applicants for the Argentina, Chile, and Taiwan WHS may now only apply using the online application system
• increase in the number of places available to young citizens of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Details of these and other policy changes are available in Amendment Circular 2010-02 PDF [560KB]. INZ Operational Manual and website will be updating today.

(Source INZ)

11/03/10 - An economic update

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Here is an economic update from the National Bank split into the question what has happened and what it may mean for you. Enjoy ...

What happened?

As expected, the Reserve Bank kept the Official Cash Rate (OCR) at 2.5% in their latest review on 11 March 2010. This was the seventh time in a row the Reserve Bank has held the rate steady at 2.5% since it reached this level in April 2009.

The Reserve Bank said the New Zealand economy is recovering broadly as they expected. Activity remains patchy - household spending has picked up; house sales and credit growth are subdued.  However, they expect growth to increase to around 4% next year, which is relatively modest compared to previous recoveries.

They also noted some increase in inflation pressures in the short term due to the impact of the Emissions Trading Scheme and increases in ACC charges, although they expect it will remain within their target range over the medium term.

What does it mean?

In their statement the Reserve Bank again said they expected to begin removing policy stimulus (and begin increasing the OCR) around the middle of this year.

Our economists (National Bank) expect a slightly later start to the tightening cycle.  At this stage they expect to see rates beginning to rise from September 2010.

How does the OCR affect home loan interest rates?

The OCR is set every six weeks by the Governor of the Reserve Bank.  The Governor sets this rate to manage inflation, based on what’s happening in the economy.  The OCR is one of many indicators, including overseas interest rates and wider economic developments, that affect short term interest rates such as floating rates and one and two year fixed lending rates.

10/03/10 - New retirement package to attract investment

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The government's two new retirement visas aim to increase investment and stimulate the economy, Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman said today.

"The new Immigration Retirement Package delivers on one of National's manifesto promises by enabling high income people of retirement age to come and live in New Zealand," Dr Coleman said.

The new package, which takes effect on 29 March, consists of two categories: Temporary Retirement and Parent Retirement.

The Parent Retirement Category allows Immigration New Zealand to prioritise high net worth individuals who are already seeking to migrate to New Zealand under the Family Category.  The Temporary Retirement Category creates a two year permit for people who want to spend some of their retirement in New Zealand, provided they invest here and indemnify the government against possible health and welfare costs.

Parent Retirement visa holders will be required to invest a minimum of $1 million in New Zealand over four years, whereas Temporary Retirees will need to invest $750,000 over the two year term of their permit.  Temporary Retirees will be able to renew their permits as long as they continue to meet criteria including investment funds, income and health insurance.

"This government is committed to the ongoing review and improvement of immigration to ensure we are maximising immigration's contribution to economic growth."

Who can apply?

People who meet the criteria for Family Parent Category (have a child who is a New Zealand resident or citizen, have the balance of their family in New Zealand, and have good health and character), and who also meet the additional criteria for Parent Retirement Category (can invest a minimum of $1 million in New Zealand over four years, can demonstrate an annual income of at least $60,000 at the time they apply, and settlement funds of at least $500,000).

The applications of people applying for Parent Retirement Category will be prioritised, in recognition of the benefit to the economy they are expected to bring.

People will be able to apply for the Temporary Retirement Category if they have good health and character, can invest a minimum of $750,000 in New Zealand over two years, can demonstrate an annual income of at least $60,000 at the time they apply, and assets of at least $500,000.  They must also be over the age of 65, and must hold comprehensive health insurance for the duration of their permit.  Temporary Retirees will be able to renew their permits as long as they continue to meet criteria including investment funds, income, and health insurance.

How do I apply?

From 29 March 2010 application forms and guides will be available from Immigration New Zealand branches and from Terra Nova Consultancy Ltd.

An application fee of $2,600 is applicable.

(Source - Beehive, Jonathan Coleman, Minsiter of Immigration)

08/03/10 - Silver Fern Work Visa/Permit

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WL Silver Fern Work Policies

New Silver Fern Work policies which consist of the Silver Fern Job Search visa/permit and the Silver Fern Practical Experience visa/permit have been established.

Silver Fern Job Search Policy

This policy will allow young people with recognised qualifications to enter New Zealand in search of skilled employment for up to nine months. A limit of 300 places per year will be available. This quota will be managed by an online application system and the annual quota will open on 27 April.

To be issued with a Silver Fern Job Search Visa, applicants must:

• be aged between 20 and 35 years
• be outside of New Zealand
• hold a qualification that meets the Silver Fern Job Search Policy qualification
  requirements and the requirements for recognition under the Skilled Migrant
  Policy
• meet the English language requirements
• have a minimum of NZ$4,200 maintenance funds during the period of stay in
  New Zealand
• be genuine in their intention to gain skilled employment
• meet temporary entry health and character requirements, and
• have not previously been issued a Silver Fern Job Search visa.

Silver Fern Practical Experience Policy

To be issued with a Silver Fern Practical Experience visa/permit applicants must:

• hold a Silver Fern Job Search permit or a Silver Fern Practical Experience permit
• hold an offer of skilled employment, and that employment is for a term of at
  least 12 months
• meet temporary entry health and character policy requirements, and
• not have held Silver Fern Practical Experience visas/permits totalling more than
  two years.

The Silver Fern Practical Experience visa/permit will be issued for the duration of the applicant’s offer of employment up to a maximum of two years. If an applicant has a short term contract and obtains further employment they can apply for a further work visa/permit until they reach the maximum of two years.

02/03/10 - Net migration rise swells numbers seeking housing, employment

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Net migration continues to add to the population, increasing the number of people looking for houses and work.

Seasonally adjusted figures for January showed the annualised rate of inflow at 22,000, which increased population growth by 0.5 percentage points, Deutsche Bank economist Darren Gibbs said.

The monthly influx was the highest since May but dipped for the year to January. Still, the trend was strong, with New Zealanders moving away permanently slowing and the year-on-year figures down 21 per cent, Mr Gibbs said. For the year to January, a net 16,000 people went to Australia, less than half of the number in the previous corresponding year.

UBS economist Robin Clements said the movements would continue to support demand for housing but also added to the working age population, risking prolonging high unemployment.

But he expected net inward migration to abate as job opportunities started to entice Kiwis back across the Tasman.

The implication for market rates was towards the Reserve Bank unwinding interest rates, ASB economist Jane Turner said.

(Source - The Dominion Post)

01/03/10 - Annual migration rate climbs

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New Zealand recorded the highest annual immigration in more than five years as fewer Kiwis headed overseas, providing added stimulus to the housing market and underpinning consumer demand.

The number of permanent arrivals exceeded departures by 22,588 in the 12 months ended January 31, according to Statistics New Zealand. That’s the highest since May 2004.

Stronger migration will be evaluated by Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard, who releases his quarterly review of monetary policy tomorrow.

The property market has shown a more tepid recovery than expected by Bollard, who has stood by his intention not to raise interest rates until about the middle of the year – later than some economists expect.

“Net migration remains a key source of support for the economic cycle,” said Philip Borkin, economist at Goldman Sachs JBWere.

“The key to watch over the coming 12 months is whether we see a reversal in departures to Australia given the Australian economy’s outperformance.”

According to today’s data, there were 33,414 permanent and long-term departures for Australia in the 12 months through January, down from 50,531 a year earlier

The global financial crisis has capped the exodus of Kiwis going overseas, as jobs dry up and home seems like a more attractive alternative.

The number of short-term visitors to New Zealand rose 5 per cent last months from January 2009. There were 2.47 million visitor arrivals for the year to January 31, up 1 per cent on the previous year.

(Source - The Dominion Post)

24/02/10 - NZ population expected to top 5 million by 2031

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The population of New Zealand is expected to exceed five million in less than 20 years. Auckland is predicted to gain an extra 500,000 residents by 2031.

The latest figures from Statistics New Zealand use the estimated population of each area as at June 2006 as a base, and make predictions through to 2031.

Auckland is projected to account for 60% of the population growth, with an increase to almost 2 million.

This will mean Auckland will be home to 38% of the population by 2031.

The South Island population is predicted to be 1.15 million and 4 million people in the North.

The number of people aged over 65 is expected to double.

(Source - Radio New Zealand)

23/02/10 - Overstayer faces leaving her child

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An Austrian woman living in Blenheim may be forced to leave her baby daughter behind and return to Austria after her New Zealand work permit ran out.

Claudia Dallarosa, 42, a vineyard worker, has been told to leave New Zealand by the end of March after her application for an extension of her work visa was turned down.

She has lived in New Zealand for nearly five years but Immigration New Zealand said she must go because Kiwis are available to do her job.

However, her 16-month-old New Zealand-born daughter Pania, who has a British father with New Zealand permanent residency, may have to stay behind.

Pania's father lives on the West Coast and sees his daughter intermittently. Miss Dallarosa feared that if she applied for permission to take Pania to Austria, her father would challenge her and win.

Miss Dallarosa said that since she had been in New Zealand, vineyards had struggled to find enough labour because most Kiwis did not want to work in the vines, but she did.

"I do understand where Immigration is coming from, but the thing is a lot of people still get brought in from overseas to work in the vineyards who have no qualification to work in the vineyards, but I do."

She considered New Zealand home. "When I set foot on New Zealand ground, for the first time in my life I knew where home was."

She said New Zealand was a better place to raise Pania and was close to her daughter's father.

"He could stop her from going, but that means she has to stay and I have to leave."

Department of Labour external communications adviser Eric Janse van Rensburg said the viticulture industry historically suffered from labour shortages during peak seasonal period, but because of the recession there were currently more New Zealanders available to work in the industry.

He said vineyard workers were not on immigration shortage lists as it tended to be seasonal, New Zealanders could be easily trained and the Recognised Seasonal Employer policy helped with labour.

In a letter of support, Kaikoura MP Colin King wrote that it was harsh to ask a mother of a young New Zealand child to leave the country. He said she would have a hard decision to make about whether to try to get her daughter into Austria or leave her behind.

"I believe as a Government we have a commitment to fulfilling New Zealand's international obligation to treat the interests of children lawfully in New Zealand as an important consideration when making decisions that will greatly affect their lives and that of those they depend on as greatly as they do a parent."
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Miss Dallarosa moved to Marlborough in May 2005 and started work in various vineyards.

In October 2007 she started working as a permanent vineyard employee for Constellation New Zealand. While there, she completed qualifications in First Line Management Level 4 and Horticulture Level 3.

Her role included staff supervision, tractor driving, mowing, vine and weed spraying, pruning and trellis maintenance.

In late 2008, Miss Dallarosa took maternity leave to have Pania, in Blenheim. She is the sole carer of Pania as the father moved to the West Coast.

Miss Dallarosa returned to work for Constellation and applied for an extension to her work visa, which was due to expire on September 21, 2009, but was turned down.

Constellation's national viticulture manager, Ollie Davidson, said if her work permit had been extended he would have continued to employ her.

Mr Davidson said Constellation had supported Miss Dallarosa with her applications and held her job open, but eventually filled it with a New Zealander.

He said no New Zealanders used to apply for the jobs, but given current circumstances they were.

KIWIS FIRST

Priority is given to New Zealanders. Work and Income conducts a Labour Market Check to see whether New Zealanders could be available to do a job. If no New Zealand residents or citizens can do a job then it can be filled by a foreigner. Winemakers, viticulturists and specialist positions (not pickers) are listed on the Department of Labour's immediate skill shortage list.

(Source - Rachel Young, The Marlborough Express)

19/02/10 - Immigration watchdog calls for new law to be reviewed

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An immigration watchdog organisation is calling for a parliamentary review of the Immigration Advisers Act, two months before overseas immigration agents will be required to be licensed before they are able to give advice.

Kiwi Immigration Watch, led by former United Future MP Bernie Ogilvy, has asked the Attorney-General to report to Parliament an inconsistency between the act and the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007.

Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman last year rejected calls to change the act.

A spokesman said it would be inappropriate for the minister to comment while the matter was before the Attorney-General.

The Immigration Advisers Authority, which administers the act, also did not want to comment.

The act defines immigration advice as "using, or purporting to use, knowledge or experience in immigration to advise, direct, assist or represent another person in regard to an immigration matter relating to New Zealand, whether directly or indirectly and whether or not for gain or reward".

Mr Ogilvy says that breaches New Zealanders' basic right to freedom of expression and freedom of thought and conscience.

"These freedoms supersede and overrule any other Act of Parliament before, or after, its passing into law," Mr Ogilvy said in his letter to the Attorney-General.

"We are asking you to report to Parliament to inquire as to what constitutes "immigration advice" in the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act."

Before the passing of the act, ordinary New Zealanders could assist people with their immigration inquiry, but the legislation has made this an offence - which Mr Ogilvy says contradicts the Bill of Rights.

The legislation requires anyone who gives immigration advice to be licensed unless exempt, or face fines of up to $100,000 and up to seven years in jail.

Mr Ogilvy says the authority has "lost its focus" on the purpose of the law and has been overzealous in issuing warnings, including to bloggers discussing immigration matters.

(Source - Lincoln Tan, NZ Herald)

10/02/10 - Twelve lose right to be NZ citizens

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Twelve people became citizens of New Zealand in the last five years despite breaching the terms of the law, including undeclared serious criminal convictions.

The Citizenship Act states applicants must declare if they have spent time in prison or if they have been convicted of a crime in the last three years.

Figures obtained by the Herald under the Official Information Act showed 10 people in the last five years had been granted citizenship despite falling into the category where they must declare their convictions or pending charges.

They were later found out and had their citizenship revoked.

Two others were deprived of citizenship because they used false identities to gain it. Neither has been convicted because they were overseas when authorities discovered the fraud.

Some of the undeclared convictions included sexual assault against a minor, assault with a weapon and importing, manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine.

In another case a person was convicted of identity fraud after having applied for residency, citizenship and a New Zealand passport using a false identity. They have, however, appealed against their convictions so their deprivation candidacy is in abeyance.

Another person was charged and convicted for obtaining a false Australian passport.

In some of the cases the person had not been charged or convicted when they obtained citizenship but as long as the crime happened before the applicant was granted citizenship, the Minister of Internal Affairs can deprive them of it.

In the cases which were not discovered until the alleged offenders were out of the country, one man provided a false birth certificate. Another government provided information that cast doubt on the man's identity which sparked an investigation.

The department discovered the man's alleged mother had never had any children.

The department said 20,148 people were granted citizenship in the financial year to June 30.

Just over 270 people were denied - 38 because of criminal convictions.

(Source - Alanah May Eriksen, NZ Herald)