Immigration Minister David Cunliffe has recently announced his plans to introduce three core “pillars” or elements that will serve as “key drivers of change” for New Zealand’s Immigration Change Programme. Mr. Cunliffe also took the opportunity of reiterating the fact that New Zealand is still actively seeking migrants who can bring in the skills needed to boost the country’s workforce and economy.

The three pillars as outlined by Mr. Cunliffe will involve the following:

Firstly, a review of the current Immigration Act, now twenty years old, as well as of the Immigration Advertisers Licensing Act, which will result in less fraud in the migration advisors business.

Secondly, the introduction of a new “Immigration Policy Framework”, including reviews of the seasonal and non-seasonal work policy, the Work to Residence Programme and the Skilled Migrant Category.

And thirdly, the implementation of service enhancements, focusing primarily on quality, consistency, and control, geared towards improving confidence in the government's immigration policies.

Cunliffe concluded his speech by saying: “service enhancements will be introduced, focusing on quality, consistency, and control in an attempt to improve public confidence in the government's immigration policies. New Zealand needs immigration. It has never been clearer that immigration is more important to New Zealand's economic future today than it has ever been.”