28th November 2005
1,844 people selected this fortnight for Skilled Migration
One hundred points remains the total needed to immigrate to New Zealand via the Skilled Migrant Category.
In this fortnight's draw, 776 applications - representing 1,996 people - were selected. These applicants will now undergo preliminary checks. Currently 96 percent of those who have undergone the verification process are invited to apply formally for residence in New Zealand.
Top 10 countries of the people selected
| Country | Selected EOI's |
| UK | 24% |
| China | 23% |
| Philippines | 12% |
| India | 8% |
| South Africa | 6% |
| USA | 4% |
| Fiji | 3% |
| Malaysia | 2% |
| Germany | 2% |
| Singapore | 2% |
| Total | 84% |
The 10 countries above provided 84% of the expressions of interest selected in this fortnight's draw.
22nd November 2005
House prices hit new record
New Zealand's median house price rose to a record $295,000 in October compared with $290,000 in September. October's figure is $38,000 higher than October 2004.
Howard Morley, of the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand, said agents reported a widespread shortage of listings throughout the country, contributing to a fall in the number of houses sold. Houses sold fell from 9,186 in September to 8,513 in October. However, this was up on the October 2004 figure of 8,191.
House Price Changes
| Region | Median Price October | Change since September |
| Northland | $256,150 | up 0 % |
| Auckland Region | $380,000 | up 0.3 % |
| Waikato / Bay of Plenty / Gisborne | $274,000 | up 3.4 % |
| Hawke's Bay's | $250,000 | up 0 % |
| Manawatu/Wanganui | $183,550 | up 4.9 % |
| Taranaki | $211,000 | down 6.3 % |
| Wellington Region | $304,500 | up 2.7 % |
| Nelson / Marlborough | $273,800 | up 4.3 % |
| Canterbury / Westland | $260,000 | up 0.4 % |
| Otago | $215,000 | down 2.3 % |
| Southland | $119,250 | down 5.7 % |
10th November 2005
Unemployment at a record low
New Zealand's demand for labour is still strong. The country's unemployment rate fell from 3.6 to 3.4 percent in the September quarter - the lowest since the survey began in 1986 and the lowest in the developed world.
Statistics New Zealand says increasing numbers of people in full-time work drove employment growth.
The total labour force grew 21,000 over the quarter, while the number not in the labour force fell by 11,000.
Unemployment rates were lowest on the South Island.
By ethnicity, unemployment rates were: 2.2 percent for Europeans, 9.1 percent for Maori, 5.0 percent for Pacific peoples and 4.9 percent for "others".
10th November 2005
New fees announced for immigration
Many immigration fees are set to change on 28 November 2005. The good news is that the majority of immigration fees are being cut.
Expression of Interest: The fee payable falls - from $315 to $300 if submitting on the internet - from $465 to $460 if written.
Skilled Migrant Residence: The fee payable increases - from $660 to $800 if submitting in New Zealand - from $1,360 to $1,500 if submitting elsewhere.
Long Term Business Visa: The fee payable falls from $2,300 to $1,700.
Entrepreneur: The fee payable falls from $2,200 to $1,700.
Employer Accreditation: The fee payable falls from $1,900 to $1,400.
10th November 2005
1,844 people selected this fortnight for Skilled Migration
One hundred points remains the total needed to immigrate to New Zealand via the Skilled Migrant Category.
In this fortnight's draw, 798 applications - representing 1,844 people - were selected. These applicants will now undergo preliminary checks. Currently 96 percent of those who have undergone the verification process are invited to apply formally for residence in New Zealand.
Top 10 countries of the people selected
| Country | Selected EOI's |
| UK | 31% |
| China | 17% |
| Philippines | 11% |
| India | 9% |
| South Africa | 5% |
| USA | 4% |
| South Korea | 3% |
| Fiji | 3% |
| Malaysia | 1% |
| Canada | 1% |
| Total | 83% |
The 10 countries above provided 82% of the expressions of interest selected in this fortnight's draw.
8th November 2005
New Zealanders' wages rising strongly
Figures today from the government's Statistical Office show New Zealander's wages are growing at their highest rate for many years. There are two measures of wages:
the Labour Cost Index - which showed wages up 3.1 percent in the year to September 2005.
the Quarterly Employment Survey - which showed annual wage growth at 4.2 percent.
The average wage in New Zealand is now $21.17 per hour.
The Accommodation / cafe / restaurant sector has the lowest wages, averaging $13.65 per hour. Jobs in the electricity, gas and water sectors are best paid, averaging $29.55 per hour. Average wages sorted for different employment sectors are shown here.
In recent years, public sector wages in New Zealand have grown faster than private sector wages. The latest figures show this trend is continuing. The Labour Cost Index shows public sector wages up 3.6 percent while private sector wages are up 2.8 percent.
Employment levels in New Zealand are still increasing. The number of full-time equivalent employees rose 4 percent and filled jobs were up by 3.5 percent.
7th November 2005
New Zealanders expect house price rises to continue
The ASB Bank's Housing Confidence survey published today shows New Zealanders expect house prices and interest rates to go on rising.
The bank believes this will lead to a riskier home ownership environment in the year ahead.
The ratio of house prices to incomes is going up. This means people have higher mortgages and interest payments. Throw in higher interest rates and the ratio of interest payments to income rises even further. The bank notes, therefore, that 2006 is shaping up for a tougher economic climate and concludes that now is a time for prudence.
45 percent of people surveyed by the bank expect further house price rises. This is higher than in the previous three months when 39 percent expected house prices to go on rising. 15 percent of people now expect house price declines (down from 18 percent last quarter) and 40 percent expect no change.
Despite the expectation of further house price rises, only 22 percent of people surveyed think now is a good time to buy a house while 27 percent think it is not.
The bank says its own lending figures point to activity and upward price pressure continuing in October and also that people are fixing their interest rates longer term, enabling them to get interest rates below 8 percent.
Figures from the Reserve Bank of NZ show lenders increased their lending to the household sector by 15 percent in the year to September 2005.
In the last 18 months, interest payments for the average Kiwi household have risen from an average of 8.5 percent of income to 11 percent of income.
30th October 2005
Kiwi renounces her NZ citizenship
as husband is declined residence
The Sunday Star Times reports today the case of Mari McGuire who has renounced her NZ citizenship because the Immigration Service will not grant her husband permanent residence in New Zealand. The couple are now selling their million dollar home north of Auckland and are moving to the United States.
Mrs McGuire has been married to seventy year old husband Barry, the American singing star, for 32 years.
The NZIS says his age and heart condition could make him a burden to New Zealand's health system.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters, an outspoken critic of Asian immigration to New Zealand, said McGuire might have been able to make a case for residence based on his ongoing royalty payments.
Mary Anne Thompson, speaking for the NZIS, said if someone was likely to cost the health system NZ$25,000 or more over four years they would probably be rejected.
"You could be obese and be fine, but you could also be obese and have high blood pressure and palpitations …that would be a higher level of unacceptable risk."
Where disabled children's parents were working and paying taxes, the cost was weighed against the family's "positive contribution".
29th October 2005
Skilled Migration still requires 100 points
One hundred points remains the total needed to immigrate to New Zealand via the Skilled Migrant Category.
In this fortnight's draw, 784 applications - representing 1,830 people - were selected. These applicants will now undergo preliminary checks. Currently 96 percent of those who have undergone the verification process are invited to apply formally for residence in New Zealand.
Top 10 countries of the people selected
| Country | Selected EOI's |
| UK | 26% |
| Philippines | 15% |
| China | 14% |
| India | 9% |
| South Africa | 6% |
| USA | 4% |
| Japan | 2% |
| Malaysia | 2% |
| South Korea | 2% |
| Fiji | 2% |
| Total | 82% |
The 10 countries above provided 82% of the expressions of interest selected in this fortnight's draw.
17th October 2005
New Zealand house prices stabilise
New Zealand's median house price was unchanged in September at $290,000. This is $50,000 higher than September 2004. 9,186 houses were sold in September 2005, well up on the September 2004 figure of 7,855.
Murray Cleland, of the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand commented, "A combination of strong sales, especially when compared with September 2004 and a drop in days to sell suggests a much stronger and more liquid market in September".
Mr Cleland added that the main reason for the unchanged median, despite rising sales and falling days-to-sell, appeared to be a shift to more sales of properties under $400,000.
House Price Changes
| Region | Median Price September | Change since August |
| Northland | $256,150 | up 2.5 % |
| Auckland Region | $379,000 | up 1.1 % |
| Waikato / Bay of Plenty / Gisborne | $265,000 | up 0.8 % |
| Hawke's Bay's | $250,000 | down 1.5 % |
| Manawatu/Wanganui | $175,000 | up 1.2 % |
| Taranaki | $225,250 | up 4.3 % |
| Wellington Region | $296,500 | down 3.8 % |
| Nelson / Marlborough | $262,500 | down 2.9 % |
| Canterbury / Westland | $259,000 | down 0.4 % |
| Otago | $220,000 | up 14.0 % |
| Southland | $126,500 | down 7.0 % |
14th October 2005
Skilled Migration still requires 100 points
One hundred points remains the total needed to immigrate to New Zealand via the Skilled Migrant Category.
In this fortnight's draw, 795 applications - representing 1,842 people - were selected. These applicants will now undergo preliminary checks. Currently 95 percent of those who have undergone the verification process are invited to apply formally for residence in New Zealand.
Top 10 countries of the people selected
| Country | Selected EOI's |
| UK | 28% |
| Philippines | 13% |
| China | 12% |
| India | 10% |
| South Africa | 8% |
| USA | 3% |
| South Korea | 2% |
| Fiji | 2% |
| Japan | 2% |
| Malaysia | 2% |
| Total | 81% |
The 10 countries above provided 81% of the expressions of interest selected in this fortnight's draw.
Read news from earlier months in the News Room
