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.”

Mr. Blake commented further: “He will work closely with me and our strategic leadership team to steer Immigration New Zealand through the reviews process and forward.” This will include maintaining New Zealand’s current immigration policy of awarding skilled migration visas to applicants who will prove to be most beneficial to the country’s economy.