07/05/08 - Labour force growth set to slow as boomers age

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Wednesday May 07, 2008

Growth in the labour force is set to slow sharply as the population ages and baby-boomers retire, according to Statistics New Zealand projections.

Between 2001 and 2006, the labour force grew by 270,000, boosted by strong net immigration in the wake of September 11 and the tech wreck.

But the increase is expected to fall to 170,000 in the five years to 2011, then to 100,000 in the five years after that. In the subsequent five-year periods, labour force growth is projected to dwindle to an average 15,000.

These are projections based on estimates for births, deaths and labour force participation, and an average net gain of 10,000 a year from migration.

They represent somewhat stronger growth in the labour supply than the previous projections in 2005.

One reason is a recent rise in the birth rate. Statistics NZ now assumes a fertility rate of 2.09 children per woman - enough to maintain the population - between 2007 and 2011, dropping to 2.0 over the following five years and to 1.9 by the mid 2020s. The earlier projections had a weaker fertility profile.

The statisticians have raised their expectations for net immigration in the short term, and for life expectancy.

The combined effect would be to increase the labour force, currently 2.25 million, to 2.4 million by 2011, 2.5 billion by 2016, 2.6 million by 2025 and 2.7 million by 2040.

Previous projections had the labour force remaining just under 2.4 million from the 2020s on.

The labour force is defined as everybody 15 or over who works at least an hour a week for money, or unpaid within a family business, or is unemployed but seeking work.

In 1991 half the labour force was over 36 years old. By 2006 the median age had risen to 40 and it will be 42 by 2011 and likely to remain there or thereabouts. This reflects the ageing of the baby-boomer generation - those born in the 20 years after 1945.

At present, just over half the population is in the labour force. The labour force is expected to keep growing faster than the rest of the population until 2013 when 2.46 million will be in the workforce and 2.02 million will not.

Thereafter the labour force will grow more slowly than the rest of the population as more and more baby-boomers reach 65.

(Source NZ Herald Brian Fallow)

05/05/08 - Cosgrove officially launches the Immigration Advisers Authority

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Monday 5 May 2008

The Registrar of the Immigration Advisers Authority Barry Smedts; the Chief Executive of the Department of Labour, Christopher Blake; the former Minister of Immigration, the Hon Aussie Malcolm; Peter Cotton, the Director of RMS Refugee Resettlement; Richard Howard, the Chair of the New Zealand Association for Migration and Investment; the Acting Chief Executive of the Citizens Advice Bureau, Ken Spencer; members of the immigration advisory industry; migrant community representatives: special guests; ladies and gentlemen.

Good afternoon and a warm welcome to you all.  I am pleased to be here today to officially launch the licensing of Immigration Advisers in New Zealand.

This is an important step for New Zealand.  Immigration is critical to New Zealand’s economy.  Migrants drive innovation, give our businesses international connections, and provide a range of skills to transform our economic landscape.
Immigration has also long been a cornerstone of our national identity, enhancing our social and cultural diversity, strengthening families and communities and promoting New Zealand's international interests.  

New Zealanders recognise this and see immigration as a vital part of our culture. However, they also look to the government to manage the risks inherent in the immigration industry.

Getting to today’s launch has taken some time.  Over a number of years, concerns had been raised about the varying quality of immigration advice being given to prospective migrants.  Many cases were reported of migrants and refugees who had been seriously disadvantaged through poor or fraudulent immigration advice.

The idea of licensing Immigration Advisers was first formally mooted in June 2000. Research was then undertaken by the government, followed by consultation with the industry during 2003 - 2004. Following this, the Immigration Advisers Licensing Bill was put before the House in June 2005 and passed into law in May 2007.

Under the new law, anyone who provides advice about New Zealand immigration matters will have to be licensed (unless they are exempt).  By making Immigration Advisers a regulated profession, the Act seeks to protect new and potential migrants. It also supports Advisers who work ethically and within the law, and therefore enhances the reputation and integrity of New Zealand’s entire immigration system. 

I cannot stress enough what an important change this is for the whole sector.  Before the new law was passed, anyone could call themselves an Adviser, whether or not they were competent to give immigration advice.  The actions of some dodgy operators caused serious harm to a number of migrants, and these “cowboys” also damaged the reputations of legitimate, professional Advisers.

The types of offences committed by these cowboy operators were serious. A Department of Labour report identified problems such as the lodging of unfounded/abusive refugee status claims without the client's knowledge; inaccurate advice about immigration policy leading to poor and costly decisions; the theft of money and documents; the failure to lodge applications and appeals; the failure to pass on information from the Department to the client, and Advisers knowingly submitting false information or fraudulent documents to the Department.

Some applicants suffered serious financial loss due to high fees and unsuccessful settlement in New Zealand.  Some also suffered damage to careers, family dislocation, significant personal hardship and were unable to gain approval to re-enter New Zealand.  The cumulative harm caused was in many cases significant, and irreversible in others.

The government’s move to stamp out these unscrupulous agents benefits us all.

Migrants are making a huge commitment when they uproot their lives and decide to apply to make New Zealand their new home. It is not an easy decision to distance yourself from your family and friends, and all you hold dear. And although we know we live in the best country in the world, our relative geographic isolation and small size can be a daunting prospect for some migrants.   

Given those challenges, the last thing you want to worry about is whether or not your Adviser knows what he or she is talking about.

People who choose to live and work in New Zealand deserve certainty about the immigration advice they receive.  They need to know that they will get correct and relevant information, and that their best interests will be served. Licensing will help make that happen.

Licensing will also ensure that Advisers are supported so that they can give their clients the sound advice and professional service they deserve. To get and keep a licence, Advisers will have to prove their immigration expertise by meeting competency standards.  Licensed Advisers will also have to adhere to a code of conduct, which will increase industry-wide professionalism and ethical behaviour.

The new law provides for stiff penalties for fraudulent or unlicensed Advisers. Licensed Advisers who break the law can have their licence revoked, be fined up to $10,000 and jailed for up to two years.  Unlicensed people who are caught providing immigration advice can be sentenced to up to 7 years in prison and/or be fined up to $100,000. The Act also allows the courts to award reparation to victims. It all adds up to an accessible, transparent avenue of redress for migrants and a high level of protection for Advisers who practise fairly and within the law.

Clearly, licensing is going to be of real benefit to migrants, our communities and honest, ethical Immigration Advisers who want their professionalism recognised.  Immigration Adviser licensing offers consumers protection and support for true industry professionals, and I am proud to be the Minister responsible for this very positive change.
It is with great pleasure that I officially launch the Immigration Advisers Authority.

(Source NZ Government) 

29/04/08 - National calls for immigration row officials to be named

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Tuesday April 29, 2008

The National Party says the identities of immigration officials who processed residence applications from service head Mary-Anne Thompson's relatives should be revealed.

The applications were approved despite being filed late and at a time when the quota for people living in Kiribati was full.
Ms Thompson helped the members of her extended family fill in the forms, and signed her name as having done so.

An independent report, released last week, cleared Ms Thompson of having tried to influence the processing of the applications but it said staff were instructed to override policy.

All the names and positions of the staff involved were deleted in the version of the report released to the media - including those who issued the instructions.

National's immigration spokesman, Lockwood Smith, said today he did not see why the deletions were necessary.
"Why should officials, doing official work, have their names deleted?" he said on Radio New Zealand.

"The privacy strikes me as being rather odd. Where officials are carrying out their official functions, they should be accountable for their actions."

Dr Smith said he was not going to let the matter rest, and he is expected to ask questions in Parliament when the recess ends early next month.

The report was prepared by former justice secretary David Oughton at the request of the Labour Department, which is responsible for the Immigration Service.

"There are serious issues raised in it," Dr Smith said.

"It makes clear that the abuse of protocols was not uncommon, so we've obviously got quite a widespread problem.

"We think we've got certain immigration rules that let certain people in but what this report indicates is that people get in if the boss wants them to come in."

Dr Smith likened it to the Ingram report into allegations against former Labour MP Taito Phillip Field.

The Government accepted the report's findings but Dr Smith's persistent questioning of ministers in Parliament raised a number of new issues.

Mr Field, now an independent MP, is facing 15 charges of bribery and corruption alleging he accepted work on seven of his properties by Thai nationals in return for immigration assistance.

(Source NZPA)

27/04/08 - Stemming skills loss to Oz will call for lateral thinking

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Sunday April 27, 2008

The National Party DVD in which Opposition leader John Key stands in the middle of an empty football stadium suggests that the party intends to make the transtasman exodus of New Zealanders a major election issue. It is one of many questions that will be exercising Labour strategists in the run-up to polling day.

In raw numbers, the outflow is plainly costing this country. The latest figures, published this week, show that the number of New Zealanders leaving this country to live in Australia continues its remorseless rise: in net figures - we need to remember that one Australian comes here for every three Kiwis who head west - nearly 30,000 permanent and long-term migrants left this country for Australia in the year to March, compared to just over 23,000 in the previous year.

A breakdown of the numbers makes the picture slightly less bleak. Our immigration restrictions being what they are, migrants from the rest of the world are on average more skilled and/or professional than emigrants, somewhat softening the impact of the skill outflows.

Not all the occupational groups most strongly represented in the outflow are those that spring to mind when phrases like "brain drain" are bandied about: middle managers, restaurant staff and labourers are among the larger groups. But skilled tradespeople are distressingly numerous, as are nurses, teachers and - as the war of words leading up to last week's strike reminded us - young doctors.

National's right to point to the increase in the figures is not unqualified: Key may like to remind himself that when National took office in 1990 it inherited an almost-unheard-of transtasman net migration gain of 1200 which it managed to turn into a loss of almost 25,000 by the time it lost the Treasury benches to Labour at the end of the decade. The worst year ever was to March 2001, arguably as attributable to National as to Labour. And he might like to specify what precisely a National-led Government would do to turn the tide: as a former currency trader, he knows better than anyone that this country's fortunes are, to a large extent, a hostage to developments in the global economy.

And we all need to remember that New Zealanders are by nature migratory. By far the largest group of those heading to live long-term in Australia are in their early 20s, a time of life when the world beckons. Axiomatically, about one in five New Zealanders lives abroad - and the bulk of those select Australia because resettlement there involves less expense, cultural adjustment and red tape than going elsewhere.

Seen in that light, the outflows do not necessarily justify the alarm Key and others seek to generate. But in areas such as health and education the problem must be addressed.

When tertiary education is part of a market economy, graduate behaviour will be dictated by market forces. Yesteryear's doctors, who paid no fees, graduated owing the country a moral and economic debt, so a system that bonded them seemed fair; those who pay $100,000 to get a medical degree feel no such obligation. But if they cannot be chained by force of law, they might be restrained by golden shackles. Graduates in key professions who stay here for, say, 10 years - even less if they work in areas of greatest need - could have student loans written off and repayments reimbursed.

Meanwhile, and in the longer term, the question needs to be considered as part of the wider issue of Australasian economic union. If the economic grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, we cannot continue to be surprised when people with much to offer this country make the short simple leap over to that one.

(Source Editorial NZ Herald) 

23/04/08 - Warnings on visa aid ignored

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Wednesday April 23, 2008

Immigration Service chief Mary-Anne Thompson was warned about conflict-of-interest problems but still helped relatives with forms to get NewZealand residency.

The handling of an inquiry into her actions is now being looked at by State Services Commissioner Mark Prebble - but questions are being raised about whether he also faces a conflict of interest because of a previous working relationship with Dr Thompson.

Former Labour Secretary James Buwalda's role is also likely to be under the spotlight because the incidents happened under his watch.

The Labour Department is responsible for the service and has issued a statement explaining that Dr Thompson was warned after twice seeking help from immigration officers in December 2004 and May 2005 to get visa waivers for members of her extended family in Kiribati.

Secretary of Labour Christopher Blake said Dr Buwalda found those cases raised conflict-of-interest questions and Dr Thompson was directed "not to become involved in decision-making regarding any person with whom she had a personal relationship".

However in late 2005 three family members applied for residency permits and Dr Thompson helped to fill in the forms, signing her name to say she had done so.

This was investigated by former Secretary of Justice David Oughton last year after questions were raised in an internal audit.

Mr Oughton found that residency was granted even though the application was too late and the quota filled. A staff member was disciplined for making the decision to give approval without being authorised, but the residency was not revoked.

Mr Oughton found Dr Thompson had not sought to influence the outcome but had wanted to help with the forms. The department has refused to release that report.

Mr Blake said he took conflicts of interest extremely seriously but felt there was no need for a new inquiry.

However Prime Minister Helen Clark told Immigration Minister Clayton Cosgrove on Monday that "for his own peace of mind" he should refer the case to the State Services Commission, and he passed it to State Services Minister David Parker.

Dr Prebble said he would report to ministers on the Labour Department's handling of the case, given public concerns that family members of senior officials got different treatment from others.

Dr Prebble could not say how long the report would take but said he would treat it as a high priority.
"This matter has resulted in public concerns being raised about whether there are different rules for the family members of senior officials," he said.

"While it was the responsibility of the then chief executive to investigate the matters internally and to make any decisions affecting the service or its employees, it is appropriate for the State Services Commissioner to consider whether that function has been discharged effectively."

National immigration spokesman Lockwood Smith said the first inquiry should be released and questioned why a second one was needed.

He said Dr Prebble should stand aside from the inquiry because he had worked with Dr Thompson in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Dr Thompson's title with the department is Deputy Secretary - Workforce, a group responsible for delivering immigration, settlement and employment-related services to customers and information and policy advice on those areas to the Government.

(Source Maggie Tait NZPA)

22/04/08 - Watchdog to report on Immiegration Srvice boss

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Tuesday April 22, 2008

The State Services Commission will look into how the Immigration Service handled an inquiry involving its head, Mary-Anne Thompson.

State Services Commissioner Mark Prebble said he would report to ministers on the Labour Department's handling of the case, given public concerns that family members of senior officials got different treatment to others.

The department, which is responsible for the service, has refused to release a report on the help Ms Thompson gave to three members of her extended family in Kiribati who were granted residence in New Zealand.

The department has confirmed that residency was never revoked, despite a finding that it would not have been granted if the usual processes had been followed.

The irregularity was discovered in a routine audit, and a staff member has been disciplined.

Ms Thompson helped her family members fill in their forms, and signed her name on the forms as having helped them. She was counselled by former department chief executive James Buwalda but no further action was taken against her.
The inquiry was handled by former Secretary of Justice David Oughton.

Dr Prebble said he could not say how long the report would take but would treat it as a high priority.
"This matter has resulted in public concerns being raised about whether there are different rules for the family members of senior officials," he said.

"While it was the responsibility of the then chief executive to investigate the matters internally and to make any decisions affecting the service or its employees, it is appropriate for the State Services Commissioner to consider whether that function has been discharged effectively. This is particularly so where public perceptions of the matter may undermine trust in the public service."

Dr Prebble would investigate a report on the investigation and decision processes.
Prime Minister Helen Clark yesterday told Immigration Minister Clayton Cosgrove that "for his own peace of mind" he should refer the case to the SSC and State Services Minister David Parker then requested that action.

National immigration spokesman Lockwood Smith today questioned why there needed to be a second inquiry.

"What is immigration trying to hide? It won't release the first inquiry after minister Clayton Cosgrove raised concerns but now a second inquiry is being ordered. If the first inquiry stacks up, why is there to be a second one?

"How many inquiries does it take to get to the truth under this Labour Government?"

(Source NZPA)

21/04/08 - Immigration boss may face inquiry - Clark

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Monday April 21, 2008

Prime Minister Helen Clark says it's possible the State Services Commission will be asked to look into Immigration Service boss Mary-Anne Thompson's involvement in three family members from Kiribati wrongly getting New Zealand residency.

The Labour Department has refused to release a report into the allegations and Immigration Minister Clayton Cosgrove has said it was the department's decision to make and he would not intervene.

Asked to express confidence in Ms Thompson, Miss Clark said it was an employment matter and she had not read the report.

Miss Clark said that as the case had been made public it was possible it could be referred on to the SSC.

"This has been dealt with at chief executive level, it hasn't had ministerial involvement, there was an independent investigation, it presumably established what it believed the facts were; and the facts seemed to be that she assisted with filling in forms and I don't think that was wise at all, but obviously the chief executive has made the decision," she told Newstalk ZB.

"Now that it's in the public arena the minister could well say to the State Services Commission `please have a look at this for me'.

"But you see ministers are in a difficult position because we do not deal with staffing matters."

The Dominion Post revealed last week that Ms Thompson had been investigated for helping three members of her extended family from Kiribati fill in their forms. She signed her name on the forms as having helped them.

The irregularities were discovered in a routine audit in 2007, two years after the applications had been dealt with.

The department has confirmed that residency was never revoked, despite a finding that the three people involved would not have been granted residency if the usual processes had been followed.

An inquiry by former secretary of justice David Oughton led to a staff member being disciplined.

Ms Thompson was counselled by former department chief executive James Buwalda but no further action was taken against her.

At the weekend Mr Cosgrove said he had raised "concerns" about the case when he was told about it last year.

He would not comment further as it was an "operational" matter.

National Party immigration spokesman Lockwood Smith said Mr Cosgrove should order full disclosure of the details.

"For the public to retain confidence in the Immigration Service, the minister should do what he can to open up the files on this case.

"These are serious claims, and Mr Cosgrove can't just dismiss them as an operational matter."

(Source NZPA)

20/04/08 - Residency row

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Sunday April 20, 2008

Immigration Minister Clayton Cosgrove raised "concerns" about a department chief helping three of her relatives get New Zealand residency.

He told the Dominion Post he raised concerns over the actions of Immigration Service head Mary-Anne Thompson with her superiors last year.

(Sourec NZ Herald)

19/04/08 - Migration boss gave visa help to relatives

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Saturday April 19, 2008

Concerns about help that Immigration Service chief Mary Anne Thompson gave relatives from Kiribati to enter New Zealand and gain residency led to an independent investigation last year into conflicts of interest - but it was kept secret.

The investigation, conducted by former secretary of justice David Oughton, found that the approvals by an immigration officer were at variance with department policy: they were lodged outside the time-frame and in spite of the fact the quota for Kiribati had been filled.

A staff member was disciplined for approving the residency outside of delegated authority but Dr Thompson was not disciplined.

She had helped the relatives to fill in their application forms and declared that on the form.

She had also sought help from immigration officers for the same family members to get visa waivers to enter New Zealand in December 2004 and May 2005 - and not told her boss at the time, Department of Labour secretary James Buwalda.

Present secretary Christopher Blake, who oversees the Immigration Service, said last night that the investigation had taken place and that he took allegations of conflict of interest seriously.

"However, there is no basis for reopening these particular investigations or conducting a new inquiry."

He added: "[The] report found that Ms Thompson had not at any stage sought to influence the outcome of the applications, and that her involvement had been to assist with completion of the form and to send in the application."

His statement followed an item on One News. It included an interview by reporter Hayden Jones, using a hidden camera, with Dr Thompson's nephew Kauri Katekeimoa, who works in a supermarket.

Dr Thompson's husband, Baerauti, is from Kiribati. The pair met when she lived there, and she is known there as a former pop star.

The actions that were investigated last year occurred when Dr Buwalda was secretary, and the inquiry was conducted under the term of acting secretary Graham Fortune. Mr Blake took up the job in October.

Dr Thompson headed the Prime Minister's policy advice group when she accompanied Helen Clark to Kiribati for the Pacific Islands Forum in 2000. She was also acting chief executive of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and a top adviser to Winston Peters when he was Treasurer.
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(Source NZ Herald, Audrey Young)

07/04/08 - New Zealand–China Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

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Monday, April 07, 2008

The New Zealand–China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is a treaty between New Zealand and China that liberalises and facilitates trade in goods and services, improves the business environment and promotes cooperation between the two countries in a broad range of economic areas.