[kanatakiwi]

Interesting news clip from today's news:

Newcomers using NZ as a "transit lounge"

United Future says too many migrants are using New Zealand as a stepping stone to Australia and the party wants immigration policy to be tightened.

The party has released figures which show about a third of the people heading across the ditch from New Zealand were not born in New Zealand.

Leader Peter Dunne says the statistics show the country is being used as a transit lounge for people who want to get into Australia. He says too many people are settling in New Zealand without permanent employment and move when they get a better offer. He says entry to New Zealand should be more closely linked to having a permanent job.

[Red Devil]

... I can see where he's coming from, but what's a permanent job in today's climate :confused:

So long as an individual has the skills to fill a particular job, then I think his words are a bit harsh. Going off forum members comments with regards New Zealand's relatively low pay when compared to UK equivalent job vacancies, maybe NZ needs to start paying the going rate to hold onto peoples skill and talent rather than losing them to Australia.

... I'll get off my soap box now :D

[LesleyS]

...
Going off forum members comments with regards New Zealand's relatively low pay when compared to UK equivalent job vacancies, maybe NZ needs to start paying the going rate to hold onto peoples skill and talent rather than losing them to Australia.


Hmm...wonder why the government here never seems to acknowledge this fact - Totally agree!! :clap :clap :clap

[CJ22]

Well NZIS charge you plenty for the process, so where's the problem? It's not like it costs NZ anything.

[macs gold]

Hmm...wonder why the government here never seems to acknowledge this fact - Totally agree!! :clap :clap :clap

So you would have the NZ Govt employing more people at higher rates??? Or telling employers what they must pay their staff?

Fact is Australia has been a very lucky country and its economy has done extremely well mainly because of the mining boom. It also has more critical mass business wise, so is it any wonder it pays more wages on average.

I don't mind that you wish wages were higher (cause I do too), but please be realistic about what can and can't be done short term.

[Moorf]

I thought people had been doing this for decades.....

[mish&al]

I thought people had been doing this for decades.....

They have, my husband's family all came out here in 1980-because my father in law couldn't find work as a builder.

Media have to sell papers..

[phatsharpie]

Keep in mind this is an election year, and immigrants are always a safe target to "attack".

-B

[james the mechanic]

Well NZIS charge you plenty for the process, so where's the problem? It's not like it costs NZ anything.

My thoughts exactly, NZIS has made quite a little business out of importing migrants.
I personally think that the cost of immigration (both direct & associated cost) is probably one of the greatest barriers to NZ filling its skills shortage.
If there was a type of assisted passage for skilled migrants, that was free (paid by tax payer or other means) provided they stayed for a set time, I feel they would fill these roles far faster with personnel who wish to succeed in NZ rather than transit.
In my opinion and experience the way that NZIS deals and interacts with skilled migrants charging and at times recharging them every step of the way is not the way to foster their long term commitment to the country. In order to truly do that, they must make a realistic commitment to them, rather that just holding out their hands, every step of the way.
Best Wishes:nice1
James

[zardell]

If there was a type of assisted passage for skilled migrants, that was free (paid by tax payer or other means) provided they stayed for a set time, I feel they would fill these roles far faster with personnel who wish to succeed in NZ rather than transit.James


:clap

Maybe similar to the assisted passages of the 1970's.

Does anyone know why assisted passage was stopped?

Julie

xx

[phatsharpie]

Not to mention it's really not that easy to just hop across the ditch once you get PR for NZ. You still need to stay for at least 5 years to obtain citizenship unless you apply for PR for Oz directly. I'd understand this criticism if it was made pre-2001. Also, most PR are unable to access unemployment benefits for their first two years in NZ anyway, so they would have to work. This is total non-issue.

-B

[zardell]

Not to mention it's really not that easy to just hop across the ditch once you get PR for NZ. You still need to stay for at least 5 years to obtain citizenship unless you apply for PR for Oz directly. I'd understand this criticism if it was made pre-2001. Also, most PR are unable to access unemployment benefits for their first two years in NZ anyway, so they would have to work. This is total non-issue.

-B



:yes :yes :yes

Julie

xx

[incredible hulse]

Fact is Australia has been a very lucky country and its economy has done extremely well mainly because of the mining boom. It also has more critical mass business wise, so is it any wonder it pays more wages on average.

I don't mind that you wish wages were higher (cause I do too), but please be realistic about what can and can't be done short term.
NZ is currently doing very well out of the dairy boom (due to drought in Oz and US farmers diverting to bio-fuels) yet they still pay junior dairy workers a 'package' of 25-35k ! I'm sorry the sooner NZ stops thinking small the sooner it will compete.

Aussie economy thrives in the service and business sectors also because they have battled to expand and made the most of where they are rather than blame under-achievement on geographic location. Sooner NZ gets rid of the chip on it's shoulder the better

[dugdug]

My thoughts exactly, NZIS has made quite a little business out of importing migrants.
I personally think that the cost of immigration (both direct & associated cost) is probably one of the greatest barriers to NZ filling its skills shortage.
If there was a type of assisted passage for skilled migrants, that was free (paid by tax payer or other means) provided they stayed for a set time, I feel they would fill these roles far faster with personnel who wish to succeed in NZ rather than transit.
In my opinion and experience the way that NZIS deals and interacts with skilled migrants charging and at times recharging them every step of the way is not the way to foster their long term commitment to the country. In order to truly do that, they must make a realistic commitment to them, rather that just holding out their hands, every step of the way.
Best Wishes:nice1
James

I agree 200 %

[CJ22]

You can't :p

[Jo Jo]

:clap

Maybe similar to the assisted passages of the 1970's.

Does anyone know why assisted passage was stopped?

Julie

xx

Yup! In the 70s NZ decided to get rid of its racist immigration policy (the white New Zealand policy), and instead introduce immigration controls based on skills and qualifications. There's a great history of immigration to New Zealand here: http://www.teara.govt.nz/NewZealanders/NewZealandPeoples/HistoryOfImmigration/en and the part specifically about the end of assisted passages is here: http://www.teara.govt.nz/NewZealanders/NewZealandPeoples/HistoryOfImmigration/15/en

Also, an overview of NZ's immigration policies through the years can be found here: http://www.teara.govt.nz/NewZealanders/NewZealandPeoples/ImmigrationRegulation/en

[macs gold]

NZ is currently doing very well out of the dairy boom (due to drought in Oz and US farmers diverting to bio-fuels) yet they still pay junior dairy workers a 'package' of 25-35k ! I'm sorry the sooner NZ stops thinking small the sooner it will compete. Actually I agree with your conclusion, but for different reasons. There is in reality no strong relationship between businesses that do well globally and those that pay their entry level staff well. McDonalds is a case in point.

Its also easy to forget that in 3 of the last 4 seasons most dairy farmers made a loss - one good season does not make a good long term business.

NZ businesses often struggle for a variety of reasons - often as not trying to foot it on the world stage just seems far to hard and they don't really try. I agree more of them should step up. Until they do, plenty of talent will go elsewhere.

[zardell]

Jo Jo.

Thanks for the links - makes extremely interesting reading.

Until I read your post/links I was unaware of the White New Zealand Policy and I was quite shocked.

Brought back some uncomfortable memories of many years ago when I lived in South Africa...

Julie

xx

PS

I have to spread myself around a bit before I can re-rep you....sorry...:D

[Nick88]

The party has released figures which show about a third of the people heading across the ditch from New Zealand were not born in New Zealand.


These are the people that know that they are mobile and don't have to put up with a system that is uncompetitive. They are also the sort of people that have skills that are wanted abroad, otherwise they wouldn't have been granted PR in the first place. I'm not saying that the NZ govt should be making a special case for us, but we are an indicator of the relative merits of NZ & Aus.

As already said it is not easy to get into Aus (I know, I was rejected 10 years ago), you really need citizenship to practically walk in. Am I right in thinking that if you only have NZ PR you need to apply using the points system as if you were a UK citizen (which you are, I suppose)?

[CJ22]

Yes. You can only walk in once you get NZ citizenship. Which a lot of people are doing, seemingly - using NZ as a gateway due to their easier entry requirements. Seems like a bit of a long game plan to me. Who's to say Oz won't change the rules in the next half-decade? It's nice to know you have an option though if NZ starts to pall after a few years.

[mesh2008]

I disagree with party. It is insane to say that NZ is a step towards AUS. Personally I believe NZ is the target and for me and for many others Australian immigration system is easier than NZ. And to be honest, New Zealanders themselves are mostly migrants so why not give chances for qualified people to start new life like the current New Zealanders did?