A New Zealand-based research and analysis firm has announced that 2008 could be an even tighter year for the country’s IT industry, causing project costs to rise over the course of the year.

The report, compiled by IDC, stated: “It is time to accept responsibility for counteracting the effects of the continuing New Zealand skill shortage. Whilst government and industry initiative might assist in mitigating the problem in the long run, companies need to address the most salient issues around attracting and retaining high-performing staff autonomously.”

Furthermore, IDC also believes that wages in the IT sector will increase in 2008, making now the ideal time for skilled professionals emigrating to New Zealand.

A couple from New Caledonia have had their lives thrown into turmoil since Immigration New Zealand informed them that they cannot remain in the country.

Roger and Josiane Martin, who have battled to secure a long-term business visa, have finally had their application rejected despite their seven-year stay in New Zealand and the large amount of money they have invested in the country since moving from New Caledonia, even paying cash upfront for their Auckland home.

According to Mr Martin, the fiasco began when he and his wife began the New Zealand visa application process through a bogus agent who set up a company for them despite the couple only having visitors’ permits. The agent took the Martins’ money and failed to deliver a service.

New Zealand’s Immigration Service strongly recommends the use of reputable registered migration agents and acknowledges that the use of dodgy agents accounts for a high percentage of migrants whose New Zealand skilled visas are turned down regardless of their circumstances. They say that a process is currently underway to license migration advisors to protect the likes of the Martins.

New Zealand's population increased 1% in 2007 to 4,252,000, Statistics New Zealand said today.

Births outnumbered deaths by 35,000 in 2007 up from 31,500 the previous year and New Zealand had a net migration gain of 5,500, down from 14,600 in 2006.

New Zealand's unemployment rate is down to a record low of 77,000 people or 3.4 per cent of the work force in the December quarter, the lowest unemployment rate recorded since the Household Labour Force Survey started in 1986

The working age population rose 11,700 to 3.27 million in the December quarter due to positive permanent and long term migration figures.

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

Reduced immigration to New Zealand and high interest rates have cooled the New Zealand housing market.

A report released by Quotable Value New Zealand Ltd, the government valuation agency shows prices climbed 10% in December from a year earlier down from 11.4% in November - the slowest pace in 9 months. The average New Zealand sale price also eased to $388,253 (£154,084) this month down from $393,198 (£156,056) last month.

Reserve Bank of New Zealand Governor, Alan Bollard, increased interest rates four times in 2007 taking the benchmark rate to 8.25%. The cost of borrowing combined with a reduced number of people emigrating to New Zealand has softened demand and according to QV spokesperson Bruce Hancock - "there is nothing in our statistics to suggest this trend will not continue into 2008".

The number of permanent migrants settling in New Zealand exceeded departures by just 6,588 in the year through November, the smallest increase in two years.

Dec. Nov. Oct. Sept.
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National 10.0% 11.4% 12.7% 13.2%
Main Urban Areas 10.4% 11.6% 13.1% 13.5%
Auckland Region 10.8% 11.8% 12.8% 13.3%
Wellington Region 12.1% 13.6% 15.9% 16.3%
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A survey of New Zealand’s twelve largest cities has revealed that the quality of life throughout the country is improving.

The Quality of Life Project surveyed the responses of residents from Rodney, North Shore, Waitakere, Auckland, Manukau, Hamilton, Tauranga, Porirua, Hutt, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. It studied aspects such as people, knowledge and skills, health, safety, housing, social connectedness, civil and political rights, economic standard of living, economic development, the natural environment, and the built environment, revealing that 90 per cent of city-dwellers were either happy (52 per cent) or very happy (38 per cent) with their lifestyle.

“This report shows that urban New Zealand is essentially a great place to live, work and play,” said Jim Harland, Chief Executive of Dunedin City Council and Quality of Life Project sponsor.

“City residents feel that they enjoy a good quality of life, are happy and satisfied with their lives and report that they are in good health. On the whole, they have a sense of pride in their city and consider that their cities offer them a culturally rich and diverse arts scene."
 

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New Zealand’s quality of life is once again on the up

A Welsh couple hoping to begin a new life in New Zealand have been dealt a severe blow as Rowan Trezise, 33, has been deemed to be too fat by the New Zealand immigration authorities.

Her husband Ritchie, a 35-year-old submarine cable specialist who is currently in New Zealand, was forced to shed 2 inches from his sizable waistline in order to not be regarded as a potential burden to the New Zealand health service. However, his wife’s Body Mass Index (BMI) was too high and she now faces a desperate battle to loose weight before Christmas, at which point the couple will give up their fight to migrate to New Zealand should she not be accepted before then.

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New Zealand warns overweight migrants to slim down if they wish to immigrate

The American Chamber of Commence in New Zealand (AmCham) has declared that although New the country’s business climate is healthy, the government needs to “make it easier for skilled migrants to settle here”. It has declared that an increase in migration would be a significant factor in addressing current market limitations.

AmCham president Mark Fitz-Gerald outlined the findings of a recent survey stating: “Nearly 70 per cent of the companies anticipate sales growth this year while 60 per cent said they were looking to expand their New Zealand operations or make new investment in another venture here.”

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US businesses urge New Zealand to increase immigration

Immigration New Zealand has announced that changes to its Active Investor Migrant Policy as of November 2007, with the system now being divided in to three categories which investors will fall into according to the amount of money they wish to contribute to the country’s economy and the risk of their investment.

The aim of the new policy is to ensure that migration is made possible only to investors wishing to significantly enhance the New Zealand economy and benefit the country’s society as a whole.

Previously, the system requires a deposit of $2 million, with a return equal to the rate of inflation.

Under the new rules, investors will fall into one of three categories: Global Investors, the top priority category requiring upwards of $20 million (including a minimum $5 million in active investment; Professional Investors, for migrants investing $10 million (with a minimum of $2 million actively) ad General (Active) investors, for those investing $2.5 million and who have gained the required score under a points system.

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Changes to New Zealand’s Active Investor Migrant policy rules

Changes to New Zealand’s skills assessment procedure have come into affect, affecting what is now deemed skilled employment. Further changes have been made regarding the recognition of foreign qualifications.

As of 26 November, New Zealand has adopted the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) as its basis for defining skills in demand. The list categorises core tasks and qualifications / skill levels on a numerical ranking basis from one to five, one being the highest level of skills and qualifications demanded for a particular job.

Visa applicants will need to ensure that their qualifications and experience are consistent with those stipulated in the ANZSCO guide, and proof of such will need to be well documented. There will also be cases in which a minimum salary earned in the UK will be required in order to be considered in keeping with classification guidelines.  

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Changes made to New Zealand skills assessment procedure