The New Zealand government has replaced former Immigration Minister Mary  Ann Thompson with Labour MP Andrew Annakin, previously the Deputy Secretary of the Workplace Group.

A statement from the government explained the department’s chief executive Christopher Blake had confirmed the appointment and that Mr. Annakin will ensure that “business as usual continues within Immigration New Zealand, while reviews associated with it are undertaken.”

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Annakin replaces Thompson as NZ immigration chief

Attendees of the recent ‘Pathways, Circuits and Crossroads’ conference held in Wellington were told by experts that migrants with skilled visas for New Zealand could be up to four times more valuable to the country’s economy than their native-born counterparts.

Academics and researchers revealed statistics at the conference which suggested that the economy could suffer drastically if the number of migrants granted the right to move to New Zealand was curtailed.

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Experts say migrants are instrumental to NZ economy

A recent survey conducted by Statistics New Zealand has revealed that the “relaxed pace and lifestyle” of the country was given as the most common reason for emigrating to New Zealand.

After the country’s enviable lifestyle, claimed by 44.1 per cent of the migrant population as the most significant reason for their move to New Zealand, was the country’s climate and its green attitude towards the environment (39.6 per cent) and a desire to provide a better life for their children (39 per cent).

The survey, which was aimed at migrants who had lived in New Zealand for six months, revealed that 92.5 percent of respondents were very happy with life in the country with 92.2 per cent claiming they intended to stay for at least three years. 5.4 per cent were not sure at the time.

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‘Relaxed lifestyle’ lures migrants to New Zealand

The official population of New Zealand as of 31 March 2008 was recorded at 4.26 million, according to national statistics. However, despite the country’s population increasing by 40,200 in the year ending March 2008, the total increase was 6,500 less than the same period last year; a fall attributed to a slowdown in net migration.

The leading cause for population increase was the rate of births and deaths, totalling an increase of 35,500 (births minus deaths). Only 4,700 of the population boost was due to net migration, compared to last years net migration increase of 12,100.

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Fewer migrants means lower population growth for New Zealand

The New Zealand government has officially launched the Immigration Advisors Authority, accompanied by new legislation whereby all agents offering advice on migration to the country must hold a valid licence to do so.

In recent years, concerns have been voiced over the varying quality of advice offered by migration advisors in New Zealand, particularly in cases whereby potential migrants have been at a severe disadvantage due to poor or fraudulent immigration advice.

In the past, migration applicants have suffered serious financial loss due to high fees and unsuccessful migration applications. Peoples’ careers have also been dealt serious blows and families have become dislocated, all as a direct result of receiving unreliable advice from unscrupulous would-be migration agents.

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New Zealand passes new immigration advisors’ licensing law

United Future leader Peter Dunne has claimed that New Zealand is a “giant transit lounge”, used by migrants who gain citizenship in order to move on to Australia.

Mr. Dunne then proceeded to issue figures which showed that 30 per cent of New Zealanders who undertook Australian migration since 2001 were born overseas.

According to Statistics New Zealand, 28,600 more people left the country for Australia on a long-term or permanent basis than did so the other way in the year to January 2008. In January alone, 5000 New Zealanders made the move across the Tasman, with only 800 heading in the opposite direction.

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United Future leader brands New Zealand “giant transit lounge”

Accountancy firm Grant Thornton has recently conducted a worldwide employment survey and concluded the New Zealand’s economy could be hit hard by the country’s crippling workforce numbers.

Grant Thornton spokesman Peter Sherwin commented: “The disturbing factor is that it continues to climb as a worry for New Zealand firms. In the latest survey, 61 per cent of the New Zealand businesses surveyed said it was a major concern - last year the figure was 60 per cent and the year before that it was 38 per cent.”

However, New Zealand was not the only country facing potential economic problems as a result of its labour crisis. 58 per cent of Australian businesses are said to have expressed concern over the country lack of skilled workers, compared to a global average of 37 per cent.

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New Zealand workforce crisis could have heavy impact on country’s economy

New Zealand’s famous wine-growing industry has claimed that the Marlborough region requires a further 1,500 grape pruners, and is looking to New Zealand immigration to attract them.

Grape growers have called on the government to allow skilled workers in the industry to remain in the country for the duration of the grape season in order to attract as many temporary migrants as possible. New Zealand Winegrowers are blaming the current shortage of pruners on the new Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.

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NZ wine growers look to immigration for grape pruning

An increase in the number of women entering the New Zealand workforce has resulted in the country’s rate of unemployment falling 0.1 per cent to 3.4 per cent nationwide, a record that shows the lowest figures of unemployment in the country since the survey began in 1986.

Statistics New Zealand had also reported the highest recorded number of employees in the country’s workforce as well as the greatest ever workforce participation rates the nation has ever seen. This has been partially attributed to the rise of new migrants with New Zealand skilled visas.

Over the quarter of December 2007, Employment increased by 23,000 (1.1 percent) to reach 2,173,000. this was attributed to a growth in female employment, meaning that overall, full-time employment grew by 26,000 (1.6 percent), and part-time employment dropped by 1,000 (0.2 percent).

New Zealand’s unemployment rate is fifth lowest in the OECD, and compares with 5.5 percent for the whole of the OECD.

UnitedFront leader Peter Dunne has claimed that New Zealand is a “giant transit lounge”, used by migrants who gain citizenship in order to move on to Australia.

Mr. Dunne then proceeded to issue figures which showed that 30 per cent of New Zealanders who undertook Australian migration since 2001 were born overseas.

According to Statistics New Zealand, 28,600 more people left the country for Australia on a long-term or permanent basis than did so the other way in the year to January 2008. In January alone, 5000 New Zealanders made the move across the Tasman, with only 800 heading in the opposite direction.

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Dunne brands New Zealand “giant transit lounge”