New Zealand Immigration News

New Zealand faces skill-shortage
Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Better border protection for New Zealand
Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Call for Govt to Loosen Immigration Rules
Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Changes to the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment and the list of Qualifications Recognised as an Exception
Monday, February 21, 2011

Changes to Immediate Skill Shortage List (ISSL) and Long Term Skill Shortage List(LTSSL)
Wednesday, September 1, 2010

More jobs being advertised - Labour Department
Monday, July 19, 2010

The role of immigration and migration through to 2050
Monday, June 28, 2010

NZ won't cap migrant work force
Monday, June 28, 2010

Fees changes for applications lodged outside New Zealand
Monday, May 10, 2010

Licensing to cut out cowboy advisers
Monday, May 3, 2010

Migrants satisfied and settled in New Zealand
Friday, May 3, 2010

Survey recognises migrant worker contribution
Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Minister of Immigration announces new retirement policies
Wednesday, March 10, 2010

New Zealand faces skill-shortage

New Zealand faces skill-shortage 'epidemic'

Why New Zealand is losing the international battle for skills

In the modern world workers with skills, qualifications and experience are able to pick and choose which country they live and work in leading to an international battle for skills.

Around the world countries are putting huge resources into attracting these globally mobile workers to invest their money and skills in their local economy while holding on to their best and brightest.

However while our main competitors in this battle, Australia and Canada, have both increased their quotas for skilled migration (by 11 percent and 22 percent respectively) our Immigration Minister has bucked the trend, cutting quotas by 13 percent[2] and approvals for the most skilled and qualified workers by over 21 percent[3]. Immigration commentator Mike Bell, architect of move2nz.com, has analysed the position and states that New Zealand is facing a dire skill shortage of epic proportions.

"Businesses don't understand why they can't find good applicants for top jobs" says Bell "but New Zealand has effectively pushed away thousands of the very best in the world."

1 Press release: New Zealand faces skill-shortage 'epidemic' move2nz.com

Savage cuts in immigration numbers implemented from January 2010 appear to have been made without recent data on skill shortages. The significant effects of those changes to a system which had been running since 2001 are only now becoming with an increasing number of businesses finding they are unable to locate qualified and experienced key staff.

In the 11 months to May 2011 applications being approved for Residency under the Skilled Migrant Category (aimed at bringing in workers with the most sought after skills) were down by 5,150 compared to the same period in the previous year - over 21 percent[3].

For the same period approvals for temporary work visas from applicants on the 'Essential Skills' programme have been cut by 7,201, over 26 percent[4] compared to the same period in 2009/10.

In the meantime Australia and Canada continue to win the international battle for skills while New Zealand struggles to retain our top kiwi workers or make any headway economic recovery.

Mike Bell - architect move2nz.com

2 Press release: New Zealand faces skill-shortage 'epidemic' move2nz.com

Sources:

1. International Migration Settlement and Employment Dynamics research 2009.

2. Letter - Dr. Jonathan Coleman, Immigration Minister.

3. Immigration New Zealand statistics: R1 – Resident decisions by financial year.

4. Immigration New Zealand statistics: W1 – Work applications decided.

ENDS

Source: Scoop - New Zealand News

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Better border protection for New Zealand

New Zealand's border security will be strengthened following the signing of an agreement between New Zealand and Canadian immigration authorities, Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman announced today.

The agreement is part of a Five Country Conference (FCC) biometric programme involving the immigration agencies of New Zealand, Canada the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom.

Dr Coleman says New Zealand officials will have greater tools to detect identity fraud and process genuine travellers faster by checking fingerprint details, when needed, with their Canadian counterparts. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) signed similar agreements with Australia and the United Kingdom last year. The ability to check biometric data with international partners will help INZ identify people using false identities. Organised crime groups and illegal migrants are increasingly using identity and passport fraud to evade detection. The FCC agreement provides greater confidence that non-genuine immigration cases will be refused through the improved detection of fraudulent identity and immigration claims.

Fingerprints of asylum claimants and people awaiting deportation who refuse to provide identity information may be checked. Fingerprints of the citizens of FCC countries will not be shared.

According to Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada - "This initiative will help Canadian and New Zealand immigration authorities work together to identify immigration fraud and previous deportees who are trying to re-enter our respective countries without permission. Canada already has similar initiatives in place with the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States, and we are pleased to expand this partnership to include New Zealand."

Dr Coleman confirmed that the protection of personal information is important to all the countries involved and all arrangements conform with the respective Privacy Acts of member countries.

Source: Scoop - New Zealand News

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Call for Govt to Loosen Immigration Rules

The Government will need to loosen immigration rules and boost international campaigns to ensure there are enough skilled workers to help rebuild Christchurch, a recruitment firm says.

A survey of employers' hiring intentions by Manpower has found that a net 15% of companies plan to hire more staff in coming months.

Manpower managing director Lincoln Crawley says employment intentions may fall further in coming months as the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake adds to firms' uncertainty.

But in the long run, he says, most sectors will be boosted as the rebuilding begins.

Meanwhile, online job website Seek says the labour market has had a stable start to the year with three months of consecutive growth.

The number of new jobs listed on Seek rose again in February, by nearly 2%. In the Canterbury region, however, the number of new job ads fell by 8.7% after the quake.

Key players 'need to unite'

The head of the Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce says about 100 chief executives from throughout Christchurch met this week to discuss the future of business in the city.

Peter Townsend says it is vital all the key players are united and work together to achieve a favourable outcome.

Restaurant Brands, which owns the KFC, Pizza Hut and Starbucks chains, says all 19 of its stores in Christchurch are closed. Chief executive Russel Creedy hopes about 10 will be able to reopen next week.

Source: Radio New Zealand News

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Changes to the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment and the list of Qualifications Recognised as an Exception

On 28 February 2011, the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (Appendix 3) and the list of Qualifications Recognised as an Exception (Appendix 8) will be updated.

The following country lists will be updated in the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment:

• Austria
• Canada
• Denmark
• France
• Germany
• Iran
• Israel
• Italy
• Philippines
• Russia
• Singapore
• South Africa
• South Pacific Countries (includes Fiji, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Samoa, and the Marshall Islands)
• Sweden
• Thailand, and
• United States of America.

The following country lists will be updated in the list of Qualifications Recognised as an Exception:

• Germany, and
• South Africa.

The changes include:

• the addition and removal of qualifications
• changes to the level of qualifications
• the addition and removal of institutions
• the inclusion of effective dates

Source: Immigration New Zealand

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Changes to Immediate Skill Shortage List (ISSL) and Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL)

The bi-annual review of the Immediate Skill Shortage List (ISSL) and the Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL), administered by the Department of Labour, has been completed.

The ISSL includes occupations that are in immediate demand in the New Zealand labour market. The LTSSL includes occupations that are in long term and global shortage.

Two occupations, Scaffolders and Automotive Technicians will be added to the ISSL, and three occupations, Ship's Master, Ship's Officer and Forest Scientist to the LTSSL. Thirteen occupations mostly in the building, design and racing industries will be removed from the ISSL. One occupation, Architect, will be removed from the LTSSL. In addition, four occupations will be removed from the ISSL as they are already covered in the LTSSL. Some requirements will be updated.

The ISSL and LTSSL will be released on 8 September 2010.

The removal of the occupations from the lists is the result of an extensive consultation with the industry group, other stakeholders and relevant government agencies.

Employers can still recruit migrants in occupations that have been removed from the lists. The employer will need to demonstrate genuine attempts to recruit suitable New Zealand citizens or residents. Temporary work visas or permits can be granted after there is evidence that there are no suitable New Zealanders available.

Immigration New Zealand works with a number of agencies when reviewing the labour market to help identify areas of immediate and long-term skill shortage. This is to ensure that the lists reflect genuine skill shortage so New Zealanders are not disadvantaged while at the same time making sure employers get the skilled employees they need to take advantage of improvements in the economy.

Head of Immigration New Zealand, Nigel Bickle says "For occupations no longer on the LTSSL and ISSL the labour market test process, where agencies such as Work and Income are involved, ensures that New Zealanders are not disadvantaged if seeking employment before an employer recruits a migrant worker. However, New Zealand still has skill shortages in certain areas and jobs may need to be filled by people from overseas."

Mr Bickle says there will be ongoing review of all occupations on the list which will ensure flexibility in times of both shortage and economic growth.

Source: Department of Labour: Te Tari Mahi

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More jobs being advertised - Labour Department

A new report says that a hike in the number of jobs advertised online has good impacts on economy and labour market. The jobs online monthly report by the Labour Department found strong growth in the three months to the end of May.

The report also said that the increase in job vacancies – in conjunction with other labour market data – indicates that employment prospect in the economy is improving and that the labour market is strengthening.

The key findings included:

• The increased number of advertised skilled jobs by 8.2 percent while total advertisement increased by 7.5 percent.
• The skilled vacancy advertisements increased across most regions, and the strongest growth is in areas outside the three main centres.
• The growing of South Island vacancies and North Island vacancies indicates 12.2 percent and 11.6 percent respectively.
• Skilled vacancies elevated across all industries, especially in construction, engineering, sales, retail, marketing, advertising and information technology.

On annual basis, the number of advertised vacancies for skilled job was up to 24 percent. Since June last year, where they were at their lowest point, it has increased steadily every month by 26.6 percent and total vacancies by 29.7 percent.

Besides this positive employment growth, falling unemployment and strong hiring intentions, Job Online also shows that the job prospects in the economy are improving as well. However, the number remains 34.2 percent in May 2010, which is lower than in March 2008 when the index was at its peak.

The continuing rise of total number of jobs advertised is up by 36.9 percent since June last year and by 9.4 percent over the last three months.

This improvement has pleased the Employment Minister Paula Bennett as the growth in the number of skilled jobs being advertised is strong and consistent.

Source: nzherald

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The role of immigration and migration through to 2050

The Treasury's 2010 Intergenerational Report shows that Australia's population is projected to increase to 35.9 million people by 2050. This projection is significantly higher than the 28.5 million by 2047 as projected in the 2007 Intergenerational Report.

Immigration is a very important part of the population debate, but it is just one part, there are much wider considerations than immigration levels alone. The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard has acknowledged that skilled migration is important, but she has also said that she does not want to see areas of Australia with 25 per cent youth employment because there are no jobs. She noted that we need to stop, take a breath and develop policies for a sustainable Australia.

In 1945, Australia became the first country in the world to create a government agency wholly dedicated to immigration. Since that time, seven million people have migrated to Australia around 100 000 persons a year, on average.

Immigration has made Australia more connected with the rest of the world and adds to the labour force. They lower the age profile of population and they add to productivity by quickly acquiring skilled jobs.

Source: Minister of Immigration and Citizenship

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NZ won't cap migrant work force

New Zealand will not follow Britain in limiting the number of migrant workers coming into the country, says Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman.

Dr Coleman said skilled migrants brought skills New Zealand needed to grow the economy and the country could not afford to block people with skills "we are permanently short of".

"We've always matched our temporary permits to the demands of certain occupation, and the system has always worked well for New Zealand and is constantly being reviewed," he said.

Dr Coleman said he had not been briefed on the details of the British changes and could not comment on how the migration cap could affect New Zealanders wanting to move to or work in the UK.

Pressure groups campaigning for greater controls on immigration have welcomed the motion as a good start. Meanwhile, the Government's immigration policy will be tested by a High Court case on Wednesday.

Source: nzherald

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Fees changes for applications lodged outside New Zealand

The fees that Immigration New Zealand charges for immigration services will change on 31 May 2010. The changes will only affect payments made outside New Zealand, not payments made in New Zealand dollars.

The changes is because currency exchange rates have changed significantly in recent months, and the fees that we charge outside New Zealand are no longer aligned with the value of the New Zealand dollar. The affected currencies are the Euro, British Pound, US Dollar, Chinese Yuan and Hong Kong Dollar.

The office and fees finder will be updated on 31 May 2010. Until then, it will show the current fees only. See also a spreadsheet with the new fees, effective on and after 31 May 2010 [MS Excel 1MB].

If you lodge an application on or after 31 May 2010 you must pay the new fee, or your application will not be accepted. If you have any doubts, please feel free to contact us.

Source: Immigration New Zealand

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Licensing to cut out cowboy advisers

New Zealand's reputation as a migrant destination will be strengthened through new laws covering offshore immigration advisers, Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman says.

From tomorrow all people giving immigration advice about New Zealand must be licensed unless they are exempt. The mandatory licensing for offshore immigration advisers follows introduction of licensing for onshore advisers last May and completes the implementation of the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act.

"Before the Act anyone could call themselves an immigration adviser and migrants had no way of knowing whether their adviser was reputable or a cowboy out to make money at their expense,'' Dr Coleman says.

"Since the introduction of mandatory licensing for onshore advisers, migrants have had confidence that their adviser meets standards set by the New Zealand government. To gain a licence, individuals must demonstrate competency and high professional standards. Once they become licensed, they sign up to a code of conduct.

"The Act is designed to provide the same consumer protection to migrants that New Zealand citizens expect as of right. Migrants are often in a vulnerable position; if they take the wrong course of action, they may be deported or have their application refused.

"We encourage migrants, their families and friends to seek advice from either licensed immigration advisers or from someone entitled to give advice because they are exempt,'' Dr Coleman says.

More information on adviser licensing, including exemptions, is available from www.iaa.govt.nz

Source: beehive

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Migrants satisfied and settled in New Zealand

New research from the Department of Labour shows over 90 percent of migrants are very satisfied with life in New Zealand and 90 percent reported they were settled after living here for 18 months.

The latest results from the Longitudinal Immigration Survey: New Zealand (LISNZ) shows that overall new migrants adjust well and begin contributing to New Zealand's economy swiftly.

"It's important to our future that migrants settle well. Migrants contribute around $1.9 billion a year to our economy, and New Zealand is competing with overseas countries to attract skilled people to bolster our workforce.''

Dr Coleman says the latest research is complemented by a Department of Labour study of migrants who arrived in New Zealand under the skilled migrant category. It found 92 percent were employed at the time of the survey and the same percentage said they had no significant difficulties in finding work.

"We're seeing a really positive trend with skilled migrants. They are productive, they provide employers with the skills they may not be available in the workforce and they contribute to economic growth.''

Source: beehive

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Survey recognises migrant worker contribution

Migrant workers are making a valuable contribution to New Zealand's economy with a new survey showing employers rate them highly says Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman.

The Department of Labour's 2009 Employers of Migrants survey released today found 87 percent of respondents rated their migrant employees good or very good. Employers say the positive attitude displayed by migrants and their skills and experience were driving factors behind the high ratings.

Over a third of employers also reported that migrant workers had skills and experience that were not available in New Zealand. Nine out of 10 of the employers had at least one migrant on staff and four-fifths had taken on a migrant in the last year.

"Migrant workers play a major role in the economy and this survey reinforces the value they provide to employers,'' Dr Coleman says. "Historically New Zealand has always needed migrants to plug some gaps in our labour market. They provide employers with the staff necessary to fill certain positions which helps businesses to maintain or increase growth.

"Their positive impact on the economy is immense. In 2005/06 migrants contributed 68 percent more in taxes than they received in services or benefits which equates to a net $3.3 billion boost to the economy.''

Between 2001 and 2006, 60 percent of New Zealand's workforce growth came from permanent and temporary migrants. The survey, completed late last year by 424 employers who have had contact with Immigration New Zealand, assessed the benefits and issues associated with employing migrants.

The report also showed one in five employers felt there were no particular challenges to hiring a migrant.

Source: Beehive

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Minister of Immigration announces new retirement policies

The Minister of Immigration has announced that two new retirement policies will come into effect on 29 March 2010.

These are the Temporary Retirement Category and the Parent Retirement Category (residence).

For more information about each of the new categories a set of questions and answers is available:

• Temporary Retirement Category FAQs
• Parent Retirement Category FAQs

Read the Amendment Circular 2010/03 PDF [960KB] concerning these new categories.

Source: Immigration New Zealand

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