New Zealand Immigration news (New Zealand Immigration News)

New Immigration Act Passes Into Law

Graham — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:42:04 +0000

The new Immigration Act will aim to boost border security and increase the efficiency of the country’s immigration services. According to Immigration Minister, Jonathan Coleman, “the previous legislation is now completely out of date. The new Immigration Act will modernise and future-proof New Zealand's immigration legislation.

"Key aspects of the new Act include the ability to use biometrics, a new refugee and protection system, a single independent appeals tribunal and a universal visa system.

ASB Predicts New Zealand Economy To Grow Stronger Than Expected

Graham — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:37:28 +0000

New Zealand’s early recovery from recession will make it much stronger next year, according to specialists from ASB Bank Ltd.

ASB predicted the economic growth to rise 2.4 per cent in the 12 months ending March 31, 2011. The recovery is being accelerated by record-low interest rates, rising immigration and renewed global demand for exports.

Retail Sales Up as New Zealand Waves Recession Good Bye

Graham — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:55:37 +0000

The retail sales in August exceeded economists’ expectations increasing 1.1 per cent from July and adding to signs of recovery from the global economic downturn.

According to Statistics New Zealand, such an unexpected rise in spending has been triggered by rising consumer confidence, increased immigration and a stronger housing market. New Zealand’s currency is also getting stronger which may prompt Central Bank Governor, Alan Bollard, to raise interest rates soon.

New Zealand Faces Potential Housing Shortage

Graham — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:43:36 +0000

According to the latest research conducted by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER), the country will soon have to face a housing shortage if the number of new homes doesn’t increase.

The New Zealand population is to reach five million in ten years.

The New Zealand Property Investors Federation stated that the number of new homes being built each year needs to increase to 20,000 in order to meet population growth. Currently, there are only 7,000 properties built each year.

New Zealand Credit and Debit Card Consumer Purchases Rise By 0.7%

Graham — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:56:35 +0000

Consumer debit and credit card spending in New Zealand rose for a third month in September, making it more clear that recovery from the worst recession is on the way.

According to Statistics New Zealand, 0.7 per cent rise in September was more than twice as big as in August when the value of transactions on debit and credit cards rose by 0.3 per cent.

Better conditions for New Zealand immigrants

Graham — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:00:40 +0000

New Zealand Immigration authorities say that migrating to New Zealand meant easier and more pleasant life for foreign workers than in other countries.

Some countries struck by global recession made a decision to send unemployed temporary workers home and make a promise never to return. Others extensively slashed skills on their immigration shortage lists.

Andrew Annakin, head of New Zealand’s Immigration Department, emphasized the fact that changes made to New Zealand immigration policy were more moderate in comparison to those made in other countries.

New Zealand aims to spend more to attract international students

Graham — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 11:26:50 +0000

The New Zealand government has introduced new rules to attract more international students and aid the country’s education sector. An extra $2 million will be spent next year to promote international education to lure more students to New Zealand.

Also from the beginning of 2010, the export education levy will lowered by more than 50 per cent to $420 in a move to leave more funds in hands of education institutes and they can use them to attract more international students.

New Zealand�s economy to wave recession goodbye

Graham — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 11:37:02 +0000

According to the Westpac Banking Corp, New Zealand’s economy will emerge from the worst recession in thirty years even with a currency around 70 US cents.

New housing construction is expected to lift the country’s economy.

Sharon Zollner, an economist at Westpac in Wellington, told Bloomberg that the construction industry is expected to lead economic growth as exports are being reduced due to high exchange rate.

New Zealand in need of caregivers

Graham — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 10:46:22 +0000

A recent report prepared by New Zealand Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) emphasises the importance of attracting more migrant caregivers to look after the increasingly ageing population.

The authors of the report said that new immigration initiatives are required to attract migrant caregivers – in particular, permanent migration programs.

"Strategies to reduce the need for caregivers, as well as making better use of the available caregiver workforce in New Zealand are important and necessary," the report stated.

New legislation to attract investment migrants

Graham — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:59:17 +0000

New Zealand government decided to loosen some of the restrictions that are said to be the reason of a sharp decline in business migration to the country.

Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman pointed out that since 2007, there have only been 23 migrants brought to New Zealand through the old business migration policy.

The policy changes will include the reduction of investment migrant categories from three to two. The new investor Plus category now requires bringing only $10m into the country for three years, comparing to $20m over four years under the old policy. The age limit has also been eliminated and there is no language requirement.