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N.Z.: Gov't to maintain current level of immigration Wellington: New Zealand is not likely to follow Australia in cutting immigration to protect local jobs during the current recession, Prime Minister John Key indicated Monday. 'New Zealand needs skilled migrants to grow,' he said under questioning at his weekly news conference. 'We have a skills deficit and while that may abate slightly because of the downturn in the economy and growing unemployment, we still need to make sure we have got enough skills to grow our economy and develop further,' Key said. Manoramaonline

N.Z.: Pakistani author blames racism for detention at airport The award-winning Pakistani author Mohammed Hanif has blamed systemic racism for his detention by immigration authorities at Auckland's airport. In New Zealand to collect a prestigious writing award last week... N.Z.: Indian immigrant used loophole to beat system An Indian immigrant who slipped into New Zealand using a loophole and a job offer from National MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi is allowed to stay here permanently. The man told... N.Z.: Immigrants urged to seek professional advice A Dunedin immigration law specialist is urging care with immigration applications. Migrants, who were often vulnerable or did not speak good English, needed to ensure they were not caught out...

More N.Z. Immigration News

N.Z.: M.P. suspected of payoff in immigration corruption case

An Immigration Service investigator suspects National MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi or one of his supporters may have 'paid off' the Indian woman at the centre of allegations that he made bogus job offers. Documents obtained by the Herald show the...
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N.Z.: Gov't to aid prospective migrants victimized by unlicensed agents

Immigration New Zealand is offering to help prospective migrants who may have been caught out by New Zealand-based consultants who failed to be licensed by Monday this week as required by law. It was reported on Monday that only 171...
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N.Z.: New immigration consultants licensing law seen slowing legal entry

Hundreds of would-be immigrants are today in limbo as a law comes into effect that could stall their bid to live legally in New Zealand. The Immigration Advisers Licensing Act requires mandatory licensing of all immigration consultants, but so far...
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N.Z.: Overweight British nurse denied residency

A British nurse was refused permission to live in New Zealand because she weighed 21 stone. The 51-year-old, who is not named in official documents, argued that her 52 inch waistline was no obstacle to her work as a nurse,...
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N.Z.: Noted author, spouse asked to prove relationship for residency

An author writing on the challenges faced by migrants has become a part of the storyline after being denied New Zealand residency. Marina Lewycka , author of international bestseller A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian, married New Zealander Dave...
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N.Z.: Former gov't minister faces trial on corruption charges

Former Government minister Taito Phillip Field corruptly received benefits from constituents in exchange for immigration help, then tried to derail an inquiry into allegations against him, a High Court jury was told yesterday. Field - a former MP for Mangere...
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N.Z.: Supreme court to hear case of overstayers

The Supreme Court hearing for the children of overstayer parents will begin today. Children born in New Zealand to overstayers could be forced to leave New Zealand because their parents are not citizens. Two of the three Supreme Court cases...
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N.Z.: Immigration hit 17-month high in March

New Zealand's annual immigration growth accelerated to a 17-month high in March, adding to signs that consumer spending and demand for housing may improve and bolster the economy's recovery from a recession. The number of permanent migrant arrivals exceeded departures...
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N.Z.: Foreign, local labor tensions on the rise

Migrant worker advocate Dennis Maga says some migrant workers are already being treated as scapegoats for the recession. Mr Maga says plans by the Government to clamp down on the number of migrant visas has started an important debate. He...
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N.Z.: Workers, advocates, union reps fret cuts to migrant worker permits

Twenty Melbourne colleges teaching international students are under investigation for possible breaches of immigration laws. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship yesterday revealed some of the investigations had been under way since early last year and involved the help of...
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N.Z.: Gov't. pressing for biometric immigration controls

Emigrating to New Zealand may take step into a new technological era of biometrics, reports Stuff.co.nz. Screening measures for people emigrating to New Zealand have been under pressure since a Yemeni citizen was deported from New Zealand. The man in...
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N.Z.: Gov't ignores 'pressure' to restrict Dalai Lama

The New Zealand visa for the Dalai Lama has been preemptively approved by the New Zealand Prime Minister John Keys after pressure from a local Chinese organisation called for it to be refused. The New Zealand visa for the Tibetan...
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N.Z.: Filipino works to keep jobs despite local layoffs

Wellington (DPA) Six Filipino immigrants will keep their jobs at a New Zealand factory despite a row that broke out after 28 local workers were made redundant, news reports said Thursday. The immigrants were recruited by MCK Metals Pacific Ltd...
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N.Z.: Chinese groups want Dalai Lama banned

Wellington (DPA) -- The United Chinese Association of New Zealand, an umbrella group representing 28 organizations, wants the government to refuse the Dalai Lama a visa for a proposed visit in December, a newspaper reported on Thursday. Prime Minister John...
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N.Z.: Brits immigrate in search of eco-friendly lifestyle

New Zealand is seeing its first influx of British eco-migrants, environmental refugees who have quit the UK because they fear the long-term impacts of climate change. The country's islands, renowned for their temperate climate, clean environment and low population, have...
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N.Z.: Terminally ill cancer patient appeals deportation order

A Thai overstayer with cancer who says she is too sick to travel is appealing to Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman to reverse a decision to deport her and her overstayer husband. The New Zealand Herald...
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N.Z.: Hoteliers fret impact of tighter immigration regulations

Tougher immigration rules could spell disaster for Queenstown, which relies heavily on workers on temporary visas, Queenstown Hoteliers said. The comments were made during a New Zealand Hotel Council meeting in Queenstown yesterday, where hoteliers vented their frustration at the...
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N.Z.: Immigration policies target wealthy foreign investors

In tough economic times, governments are under pressure to reduce the intake of migrants - but at least one is bucking the trend. New Zealand hopes an open door policy for business migrants will pay off. It's targetting cashed up...
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N.Z.: Aspiring politician jailed over immigration, document fraud

An ex-parliamentary and mayoral candidate has lost his appeal against conviction and sentence for his part in an immigration fraud. Pakistan-born Arshad Mahmood Chatha, 40, was found guilty by a jury in the High Court at Wellington in August last...
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N.Z.: Factory probed for favoring foreigners over local hires

The Government and union officials are investigating allegations that a New Plymouth factory made fulltime workers redundant while keeping on migrant workers. Twenty-eight workers at MCK Metals Pacific Ltd at Bell Block were made redundant in October last year but...
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N.Z.: Gov't set to restrict intake of foreign workers

The Government is poised to cut the number of migrants entering New Zealand on temporary work permits as it comes under pressure to save Kiwi jobs during the recession. Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman yesterday promised to investigate the case of...
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N.Z.: Filipinos ask gov't to maintain Int'l. Labor Org. standards

A Filipino migrant group based in New Zealand has appealed to its host country's government to uphold the principles set by the International Labor Organization (ILO) The group's call was made especially during this period of job cuts due to...
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