Pregnant? Pack up and go home

Kea

1st June 2009, 02:13 PM

I came out on a work permit- only 18 months so not eligible for health cover which was stressful. We didn't tell immigration when I got pregnant but applied for PR so it was on the forms for that. Our PR came through with about 2 months to spare so my costs were covered and no one gave me any hassle about potentially being a drain on resources- although the DHB did suggest I'd need to pay $5000 to deliver at the hospital.

I can't help but notice the people who are being told to leave are chinese. I wonder if my nationality (British) had any bearing on things? Although OH works in for the health service in an area of particular need so that may have made a difference too.

sekilau

1st June 2009, 03:39 PM

If nationality is an issue, then it is more that human right issue as mentioned by the chinese mother-to-be on the article.
If different people get different treatment only because of their nationality (it seems the mother-to-be does not say she cannot pay the full bill), it is a race/nationality discrimination. I wonder if there any civil right attorney will help her to file her case for justice review.

One thing the article does not mention is if the mother is going to delivery her second child. If she is going to, sending her back to China is just killing another baby. Under the one child policy in China, the authorize in China will force this lady to have abortion. Having abortion on 6 months pregnancy is a killer act, but those Chinese official will do it right away.

For me, I am ethical Chinese with British nationality. I don't know how does INZ treat me in future.

I can't help but notice the people who are being told to leave are chinese. I wonder if my nationality (British) had any bearing on things? Although OH works in for the health service in an area of particular need so that may have made a difference too.

urban78

1st June 2009, 04:10 PM

I can't help but notice the people who are being told to leave are chinese. I wonder if my nationality (British) had any bearing on things? Although OH works in for the health service in an area of particular need so that may have made a difference too.

Asians aren't the only ones in that situation. I know of an Eastern European couple who were told to leave because of the same reason. His wife is pregnant but he is on a work permit, which was due for renewal within the next few months. Because of the economic situation, his employer can't prove he’s no longer able to find a kiwi to do the job, so Immigration have told them they can't renew his work permit and they have to leave once his permit expires. A temporary permit is just that - temporary. There are rules and guidelines to follow for a reason.

Jen

M-Squared

1st June 2009, 05:23 PM

This is obviously an immigration situation, which NZ has every right to insist on. If they're showing the door to people who are on temporary work permits, then it's right that they also show the door to those on temp WPs who have bucketfulls of cash to throw at the district health boards. It's not a question of money, it's a question of resources. You can't grow midwives from seeds planted in the ground, you know. ;) Hospital beds don't grow on trees either. This is a question of education before you move somewhere. If that sounds harsh, then so be it, but I'm fed up of the "I deserve XYZ" culture.

sekilau

1st June 2009, 07:36 PM

Hospital beds are in shortage. Ok get it.
So, before I become I become a PR, I should be very careful on my health and not to get sick or hurt by boyracer. If I am hospitalized, I will bring burden to NZ. Or, if I broke my arm or leg, or getting H1N1, I may be asked to leave NZ , even my medical bill is cover by insurance or by my own pocket, because I occupied a hospital bed.

I know some Asian families carefully planned and deliberately deliver their child in NZ in order to request for permission to stay. But as far as I know, the immigrated rule has been changed(on 2006) to mediate this loophole. in order to obtain PR/Citizenship by brith, the new born kid has to have NZ PR/Citizen parent. I support on this change. It happens in the place I lived in which, 60% of new born baby does not has neither parent has local PR/citizenship. This is because our law gain PR/Citizenship by birth, regardless the status of baby's parent.

If this Chinese mother-to-be stays in NZ on temporary permit (ok, i understand it is temporary) and her husband is PR/NZ Citizen, the baby should be allowed to be delivered in NZ. If neither of them are PR/Citizen, they child is not entitled to be NZ PR/Citizen by birth.

Therefore, what is the reason of such action?
a) NZ authorize concerns on hospital bed shortage(as I mentioned before, I still occupied a bed if I get seriously hurt),
b) fear on more and more woman to come to NZ to deliver child and ask for PR/Citizen. or
c) just showing off on authorize that "you are temporary and I ask you to get out within XXX days!"

This is obviously an immigration situation, which NZ has every right to insist on. If they're showing the door to people who are on temporary work permits, then it's right that they also show the door to those on temp WPs who have bucketfulls of cash to throw at the district health boards. It's not a question of money, it's a question of resources. You can't grow midwives from seeds planted in the ground, you know. ;) Hospital beds don't grow on trees either. This is a question of education before you move somewhere. If that sounds harsh, then so be it, but I'm fed up of the "I deserve XYZ" culture.

sekilau

1st June 2009, 07:45 PM

For the case you mentioned, it seems the husband is the principal applicant and the wife is dependent. If the principal applicant cannot renew his permit to stay in nz, than both of them may be asked to leave NZ. It sounds logical and follow the guidelines. (up to this moment, pregnancy was not a consideration factor).

However, if you read the news report and there is case which a wife(the name sound with a Korean name) is asked to leave NZ even his husband is operating a business in New Lynn. And the college the lady is studying in does not expel her due to pregnancy.

Asians aren't the only ones in that situation. I know of an Eastern European couple who were told to leave because of the same reason. His wife is pregnant but he is on a work permit, which was due for renewal within the next few months. Because of the economic situation, his employer can't prove he’s no longer able to find a kiwi to do the job, so Immigration have told them they can't renew his work permit and they have to leave once his permit expires. A temporary permit is just that - temporary. There are rules and guidelines to follow for a reason.

Jen

NewHope

1st June 2009, 07:46 PM

Is work to residence (WTR) visa consider a temporary visa? So what happens if one 'accidentally' becomes pregnant while still in WTR?

sekilau

1st June 2009, 08:01 PM

WTR (or work permit) stays the holder is required to leave NZ when the visa is expired. I believe it is a temporary visa.

If either parent get PR before the expiration of WTR, it should be fine.
I am not sure if the wife starts bearing baby but does not inform INZ before arrive NZ, will she be considered as hidden material information from the authority and get permit cancel, deportation ...etc?

Is work to residence (WTR) visa consider a temporary visa? So what happens if one 'accidentally' becomes pregnant while still in WTR?

BkyMonster

1st June 2009, 08:25 PM

There were a few details in that article that were inaccurate. Off the top of my head maternity care is free to partners of NZ residents or citizens (article kept referring to citizen only health care), regardless of the partners immigration status.
http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/eligibility-guide-pregnantpartner

Reading the link above and the article I'm not sure why one of the people mentioned in the article isn't eligible for care.

Maternity charges are easily one of the largest costs to the NZ health system which is why they are being fussy about it. Maternity costs are also almost fully subsidized by the government which is not the case for most other medical treatment.
Maternity beds aren't the same as other hospital beds either. For instance around here it seems common to give birth at one hospital and then transfer to another one where they let you occupy a bed for longer (several days). Seems strange to me.

I also suspect enforcement is largely region dependent in that some areas have much less maternity services in proportion to need than others. In addition the government is really clamping down on spending due the the economy, so I think this is also fallout from that.

Kanga

1st June 2009, 09:39 PM

Maternity beds aren't the same as other hospital beds either. For instance around here it seems common to give birth at one hospital and then transfer to another one where they let you occupy a bed for longer (several days). Seems strange to me.

Not so long ago that wasn't uncommon in the UK. Makes sense to transfer women post-delivery to smaller more local hospitals, particularly if that offers them a less 'medicalised' environment.

BkyMonster

1st June 2009, 10:24 PM

Not so long ago that wasn't uncommon in the UK. Makes sense to transfer women post-delivery to smaller more local hospitals, particularly if that offers them a less 'medicalised' environment.

It doesn't seem to be so much about a medicalised environment exactly...

I know for instance here it's fairly common for women to give birth at Christchurch women's hospital and then transfer to St. Georges which is considered much nicer. I gathered they do this because birthing bookings at St. Georges are limited (most people I talked to would have done births at St. Georges if possible) and people generally want to take advantage of the nicer amenities at that hospital but I can't really figure how if the hospital doesn't have birthing room, how they have post maternity beds...
Of course it's possible that ChCh womens just has lots of birthing room but less hospital beds, but everyone I talked to was moving hospitals post birth out of choice rather than necessity.
After hearing a friend talk about bundling up her newborn several hours post birth in the wee hours of the morning so they could move to another hospital, well, I gave her a funny look. :exit

M-Squared

1st June 2009, 11:07 PM

Hospital beds are in shortage. Ok get it.
So, before I become I become a PR, I should be very careful on my health and not to get sick or hurt by boyracer. If I am hospitalized, I will bring burden to NZ. Or, if I broke my arm or leg, or getting H1N1, I may be asked to leave NZ , even my medical bill is cover by insurance or by my own pocket, because I occupied a hospital bed.

Read up on the ACC. I never said it was just beds. I said earlier that midwife-seeds can't be planted and grown into midwives. This is why there is a skills shortage.

If this Chinese mother-to-be stays in NZ on temporary permit (ok, i understand it is temporary) and her husband is PR/NZ Citizen, the baby should be allowed to be delivered in NZ. If neither of them are PR/Citizen, they child is not entitled to be NZ PR/Citizen by birth.

Why bring race into this? If someone hasn't read up on the immigration laws, then that's their problem. Why should they expect a country they are temporarily in to come galloping to their rescue, when they break the rules governing their admittance?

Therefore, what is the reason of such action?
a) NZ authorize concerns on hospital bed shortage(as I mentioned before, I still occupied a bed if I get seriously hurt),

This is covered by the ACC.

b) fear on more and more woman to come to NZ to deliver child and ask for PR/Citizen. or

Who the hell is daft enough to risk their life and that of their unborn child to cross oceans to get to NZ to attempt for their child to get that particular nationality?

c) just showing off on authorize that "you are temporary and I ask you to get out within XXX days!"

If I understand your comment / question / rant, then no-one's "showing off". People who travel to another country need to educate themselves on the laws and immigration rules. As they say, ignorance of the law is no defence.

sophiedb

1st June 2009, 11:58 PM

sekilau

2nd June 2009, 12:02 AM

Read up on the ACC. I never said it was just beds. I said earlier that midwife-seeds can't be planted and grown into midwives. This is why there is a skills shortage.
Understand, get it.

Why bring race into this? If someone hasn't read up on the immigration laws, then that's their problem. Why should they expect a country they are temporarily in to come galloping to their rescue, when they break the rules governing their admittance?
I should correct my wording to delete "Chinese". Then the sentence will be race-neutral

Who the hell is daft enough to risk their life and that of their unborn child to cross oceans to get to NZ to attempt for their child to get that particular nationality?
It does happen from the place I come from on 30 to 40 years ago. You cannot imagine some mothers take more than 10 hours flight from Asia to Canada/America, stay there and deliver children. I agree it is very very risky. But it did happen.
How does Canada/America counter that? They tighten up the visa to lady.

If I understand your comment / question / rant, then no-one's "showing off". People who travel to another country need to educate themselves on the laws and immigration rules. As they say, ignorance of the law is no defence.
Let me check the visa and INZ website to see if there are any text on "temporary visa holder who get pregnant can incur to removal from NZ"(especially for the case which the wife is studying and the husband is operating a shop in new lynn).

IanW99

2nd June 2009, 12:12 AM

Is work to residence (WTR) visa consider a temporary visa? So what happens if one 'accidentally' becomes pregnant while still in WTR?

The rules have been clarified since October 2008

Temporary entry health policy has been amended to include a specific health waiver for applicants who intend to give birth in New Zealand if:
• they are partners of New Zealand citizens or permanent residents; or
• they or their partner is applying for a work to residence visa or permit, where the visa or permit is for a period of two years or more; or if the length of the visa or permit plus earlier visas or permits adds up to two years or more.

The granting of this specific health waiver does not require referral to a Medical Assessor.

If they allow you to be pregnant during the application process, then it makes sense that it wouldn't be a problem if you became pregnant whilst in NZ.

Ian

sekilau

2nd June 2009, 12:12 AM

Actually, my standpoint is not granting them refugee statue and let them settle in NZ as PR/Citizen. I was wondering why can't let the baby be delivered in New Zealand and, put both the mother and baby on immigration control (such as temporary visa for both mother and child). They don't need to be refugee in NZ.* Remove the mother on 6th month pregnant is not risk free. But someone may says, this risk is incur by the parents themselves and nothing to do with the immigration law as it is written clear that temporary is temporary.

My question was answered by other member here that, it is the resource shortage on midwife and hospital bed to make it impossible.

*one child policy will not kill a new born baby. But forced abortion before deliver is not unusual.

Someone raised an interesting point before about China's one-child policy though.

If the mum faces an abortion at 6 months when she gets home - illegal in NZ and quite possibly fatal for the mum - does she have any leg to stand on refugee grounds?

(other than this, while I find the rule quite shocking, I can understand it being enforced.. but only if that happens across the country and in all cases)

sekilau

2nd June 2009, 12:31 AM

Isn't that WTR visa is value for only 9 months?

Skilled Migrant Category Work to Residence changes
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Changes have been made to the Work to Residence (WTR) component of the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC).

These changes include:

* Extending the WTR period to allow all principal applicants a period of nine months in New Zealand to obtain an offer of skilled employment.
* Allowing principal applicants who obtain an offer of skilled employment during their WTR deferral period to be granted residence and then meet the requirement to remain in their skilled employment for three months.

These changes are effective from 10 April 2007 and are applicable to principal applicants who make their SMC residence application on or after 10 April 2007.

A new transitional work permit policy has been introduced to grant a further three month work permit to principal applicants who are in New Zealand on an expiring WTR permit where the WTR permit was issued as a result of the SMC application being deferred for six months. Applicants who obtain an offer of skilled employment in New Zealand after their initial SMC deferral period has ended, but during the currency of their permit issued under the transitional work permit policy, must submit a new SMC application if they wish to pursue residence in New Zealand. Such applicants will be facilitated through their subsequent SMC application with a waiver of the application fee.

This new transitional work permit policy comes into effect on 10 April 2007.

Full details are available in Amendment Circular 2007/04.

The rules have been clarified since October 2008

If they allow you to be pregnant during the application process, then it makes sense that it wouldn't be a problem if you became pregnant whilst in NZ.

Ian

IanW99

2nd June 2009, 12:37 AM

The information that I posted was specific to a standard WTR which is normally issued for 30 months.

The WTR you are talking about is what we label on the forum as PR->WTR, but from the wording I would say that this wouldn't be covered.

Ian

dd311

2nd June 2009, 01:50 AM

Pregnant? Pack up and go home
4:00AM Monday Jun 01, 2009
By Lincoln Tan

Two foreign students have been ordered home after being told NZ maternity services were over-stretched.

Women who get pregnant while in New Zealand on temporary residency permits are being told to leave the country to have their babies because of a shortage of maternity services.

The women are being told they cannot give birth here even if they are prepared to pay the full medical and maternity care costs....

Link:http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10575739&pnum=0

newarrival

2nd June 2009, 10:21 AM

I do feel sorry for those who have that problem, I really do, but, on the other hand, I think it is the right thing to look after the citizens/ residents of your country.
And, as m-squared pointed out, iti is not all about money, but about the ability to provide the care....
Sekilau, as I see it, it would be very difficult for Immigration to effectively control if the person in question leaves New Zealand after the child is born- since you are not obliged to register where you live and if you move, there are lots of possibilities to stay on an illegal basis- which, as far as I read about it, quite a lot of people do.

Ana&Steve

2nd June 2009, 12:53 PM

tristan

2nd June 2009, 10:28 PM

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/health/news/article.cfm?c_id=204&objectid=10575739

What can you say about this article from NZHerald? Is this an usual practice? Does it really happen?
We're a bit "on the road" and like to learn from your experiences.

Thanks!

peg

2nd June 2009, 11:53 PM

i read this article with interest as at the moment i'm trying to decide to stay of go home at the end of my year visa- i have to say it helped clarify my decision, if i want to have kids in the next few years do i want to have them in a country that is so stretched for midwife services that it can't allow an extra few private patients into the system? wow it must be well and truly understaffed and under resourced. it goes in the cons list for staying in new zealand i have to admit
peg

M-Squared

3rd June 2009, 12:00 AM

Pregnant? Pack up and go home
4:00AM Monday Jun 01, 2009
By Lincoln Tan

Two foreign students <snip>

Can the OP / moderators please edit this? I believe this contravenes copyright to post the article. Thanks. :)

IanW99

3rd June 2009, 12:05 AM

This has some interesting details which would certainly imply that the original report is incorrect.

Immigration New Zealand says it is standard policy to deny temporary visas to people who may be a burden on the country's health service.

The government service has told an expectant mother in New Zealand on a temporary permit that she must leave to have her baby, due to a demand on maternity services.

The rule applies even if women are able to pay for their medical care.

The International College of Auckland is angry a Korean woman has been denied a student visa to replace her visitor's permit, which is about to expire.

The woman wants to become a student and study horticulture. She wants to stay in New Zealand to have the baby and has offered to pay all her medical expenses but the Immigration Service has denied the request.

The college says overseas students should not be penalised for being pregnant. Principal James Zhu says this is a breach of human rights, as New Zealand women are not prevented from studying or working and being mothers.

The head of the Immigration Service, Andrew Annakin, says the issue is not just about money.

Mr Annakin says whether New Zealand's health service can handle additional dependents is also taken into account.

He says it is standard policy to seek a medical certificate from people applying for a temporary visa and believes the practice is common in other countries.

So this 'student' would appear to not be a student at all (yet), and clearly doesn't meet the requirements to be granted a student visa. Assuming this article is any more accurate than the original one of course?

Ian

sweetpea

3rd June 2009, 02:20 AM

This has some interesting details which would certainly imply that the original report is incorrect.

So this 'student' would appear to not be a student at all (yet), and clearly doesn't meet the requirements to be granted a student visa. Assuming this article is any more accurate than the original one of course?

Ian

If the pregnant woman's school is anything like mine, she probably is a bona fide student and the school/government bureaucracy was delayed in getting her immigration details sorted out. I have known several students in Palmerston North that, although they have been accepted and enrolled, have come on visitor's visa because of delays that are no fault of their own.

sekilau

3rd June 2009, 05:23 AM

If the burden on type of health service can be so specific as "maternity services", not a unforeseeable disease such as H1N1, or SARS, can immigration/border control law be clearly written such as: "visitor, temporary visa holder pregnant woman will not be allowed to deliver their baby in NZ and they are subject to removal/deportation once they get pregnant"

Such written may be offensive, but it is actually the idea and the way INZ doing. It is even INZ standard policy as well.

The current saying is politically correct, diplomatically polite. But it hidden the curial fact that NZ does not have resource to support visitor/temporary visa holder on obtaining maternity services. If our resource cannot support that, just clearly tell other the true we cannot do it.

Immigration New Zealand says it is standard policy to deny temporary visas to people who may be a burden on the country's health service.

The government service has told an expectant mother in New Zealand on a temporary permit that she must leave to have her baby, due to a demand on maternity services.

ColeyNZ

3rd June 2009, 05:25 AM

Someone raised an interesting point before about China's one-child policy though.

If the mum faces an abortion at 6 months when she gets home - illegal in NZ and quite possibly fatal for the mum - does she have any leg to stand on refugee grounds?

(other than this, while I find the rule quite shocking, I can understand it being enforced.. but only if that happens across the country and in all cases)

No she doesn't. I've been here for about 6 months and there seem to be some very subtle laws and practices in place specifically to limit the amount of asian influences as possible.

From watching the news and speaking with both Kiwi's and expats, it appears to me that there is a national fear of being overrun by the asian community. I will go so far as to say that since I have moved from ChCh to Devonport I have also seen Kiwi's go as far as to make asian's as a whole uncomfortable (overtly) to subtley not accepting them into the community and not extending them the same courtesy as another pakeha, kiwi/expat or Maori.

As for the moral imbalances concerning the Chinese and abortion. It is my opinion, as expressed in another thread, that you have no guaranteed rights. If you go to a country to exploit a loophole, you are breaking the law of that country. When that country, who is being exploited, forces you to leave and go home, whatever happens when you go home you brought upon yourself. What may happen may not be pleasant, but it is going to happen.

Why? Because life isn't fair, nor is it nice or accomodating. You learn the rules and play by them or accept the consequences.

As for the entire pregnancy expulsion argument. We know of a Filipino couple who has to leave for this reason. They came here on a WTR with the intention of having a child once they settled in. Unfortunately their dream has been crushed and she has to leave (they aren't married) to have the baby. She and the baby can return afterward and he is still going to keep his employment but she cannot have it here. She is planning on spending 3 months in Melbourne to have the baby and then return (they are fairly well off).

I will add that this policy does not apply to Active Investors.

ColeyNZ

3rd June 2009, 06:40 AM

If the burden on type of health service can be so specific as "maternity services", not a unforeseeable disease such as H1N1, or SARS, can immigration/border control law be clearly written such as: "visitor, temporary visa holder pregnant woman will not be allowed to deliver their baby in NZ and they are subject to removal/deportation once they get pregnant"

Such written may be offensive, but it is actually the idea and the way INZ doing. It is even INZ standard policy as well.

The current saying is politically correct, diplomatically polite. But it hidden the curial fact that NZ does not have resource to support visitor/temporary visa holder on obtaining maternity services. If our resource cannot support that, just clearly tell other the true we cannot do it.

Could you re-enter this post. I'm trying to follow but I can't.

It sounds like to me that you are saying INZ is using maternity as a form of discrimination but are vague when it comes to potential plagues.

Such written may be offensive, but it is actually the idea and the way INZ doing. It is even INZ standard policy as well.

There are alot of things that are offensive in this world, but I do not think that NZ is being inconsiderate at all. Maybe towards immigrants a bit, but resources are tight, much more so than I ever imagined. I applaud NZ for taking a stance to enrich it's citizens and not cater to the downtrodden throughout the world.

IanW99

3rd June 2009, 10:47 AM

If the pregnant woman's school is anything like mine, she probably is a bona fide student and the school/government bureaucracy was delayed in getting her immigration details sorted out. I have known several students in Palmerston North that, although they have been accepted and enrolled, have come on visitor's visa because of delays that are no fault of their own.

Sorry, I should have clarified that I was talking from an immigration perspective i.e. if she doesn't have a student (or other suitable permit) then she can't officially be a student, just like without a work permit you can't work.

As she doesn't meet the requirements to get a student visa/permit then surely the school shouldn't have allowed her to enrol.

Also, it sounds like she has only just started at school (assuming she has), I wouldn't have thought that this was the best time for anyone to get pregnant.

Ian

NewHope

3rd June 2009, 06:21 PM

I spoke with NZIS (in NZ) earlier and the nice lady there says she is not aware that we have to leave the country if we have the proper visa (Skilled Migrant's WTR in my case).

I re-emphasize that we will be have the 9 months WTR and what will happen if we enter when OH is already pregnant? I mentioned the newspaper article and she put me on hold and check with the 'media department'. She came back indicating that they are still checking/waiting for the final word on that or something like that.

Please note that this is NOT OFFICIAL STATEMENT from NZIS. Just a conversation over the phone so the nice lady may not be correct.

In short, still not 100% sure what's the deal there. I'll wait for the official word (email) from our case officer.

sekilau

3rd June 2009, 06:46 PM

If they tell you sometime later on that pregnancy is not subjected to removal(on your particular case), do you think you can obtain a written notice form them?
May be I worry too much. but i think a written answer may help you to defense yourself if they change their mind some day in future.

I spoke with NZIS (in NZ) earlier and the nice lady there says she is not aware that we have to leave the country if we have the proper visa (Skilled Migrant's WTR in my case).

I re-emphasize that we will be have the 9 months WTR and what will happen if we enter when OH is already pregnant? I mentioned the newspaper article and she put me on hold and check with the 'media department'. She came back indicating that they are still checking/waiting for the final word on that or something like that.

Please note that this is NOT OFFICIAL STATEMENT from NZIS. Just a conversation over the phone so the nice lady may not be correct.

In short, still not 100% sure what's the deal there. I'll wait for the official word (email) from our case officer.

Spudgun

5th June 2009, 01:43 PM

Just contacted the call centre and they didn't know about the article and gave me a very confusing response. I'm still no clearer!

M-Squared

6th June 2009, 01:17 AM

Just contacted the call centre and they didn't know about the article and gave me a very confusing response. I'm still no clearer!

Please just ask them for a written answer. :) That way they can't contradict it. :nice1

Spudgun

8th June 2009, 04:25 PM

Helpful reply!

"Thank you for taking advantage of our Online Help facility.

At this time there have been no changes in Immigration New Zealand operational policy as a result of the 2008 General Election.

If and when policy changes are made, we will advertise them as early and as fully as possible though our website and the media as appropriate.

If you have any other policy queries, please feel free to submit another request through our Online Help service.

Kind Regards,"

urban78

8th June 2009, 09:18 PM

The Herald posted an update today:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10577205

It looks like her and her husband were here on visitors permits, not international student permits as stated in the first article, because her application for a student visa was declined by NZIS.

I just thought the first two articles had too many inconsistencies and the journalist was a bit too vague for such a controversial article IMHO.

Jen

JandM

8th June 2009, 10:57 PM

That makes quite a difference.

mikey and tor

11th June 2009, 01:18 PM

Ok lets apply what has been said in this post. If my wife get pregnant while on a wtr permit will she be asked to leave the country?

BkyMonster

11th June 2009, 01:36 PM

If it is a WTR that is longer than 2 years, certainly not. Work permits of 2 years or more afford the same medical benefits that residency and citizenship do, and this is extended to the partners of people holding those rights as well.
I don't know about the 9 month WTR permits that are granted instead of PR as I don't know much about them.
I gather that if you are out of the country you get a 9 month work permit, but I don't know what happens when you find work, is your permit converted to residence? After how long? Are you required to hold medical insurance when you arrive?

This link http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/eligibility-guide-pregnantpartner suggests not for the 9 month variety, but that's really a question for NZIS.