[dbonnett]

Lincoln Tan (columnist for the NZ Herald) has an interesting, and I think well thought out, column in the Monday Herald: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10420174 In there he makes reference to the poll that was held here on the six month deadline for WTR. He doesn't draw any conclusions on what we said, but he does talk about some other readers (of the Herald) perceiving immigrants as sources of income who should leave when we run out of money :no

He does confirm the suspicion that NZIS is reassessing the six month window and also says (near the end) that the entire SMC process is being evaluated.

There is another column (from Peter Luiten) about Kiwisaver and the penalisation for having overseas retirement accounts: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10420172

[Trigirl]

i'm afraid i can't agree with "well thought out".

Simon Collins wrote an article that said Labour Department figures show that 617 people were granted six-month work-to-residence permits in the first six months of the new policy. But only 19 (3 per cent) had gained permanent residence by the end of June last year. a misuse of the figures to tell his own tale perhaps but still probably an accurate description

Lincoln Tan now picks that up and says Some 617 permits were issued in the first six months after the policy was introduced slightly over a year ago. But only 19 of those skilled immigrants have stayed. Surely, any policy with just a 3 per cent success rate needs a rethink only 19 with PR does not mean only 19 have stayed and if Mr Tan can't tell the difference he really shouldn't be allowed to write for any serious newspaper.

How many people with WTR visas issued from dec to june would you expect to have PR by the end of June? how about the ones with visas issued in may? my guess is they probably haven't fulfilled the 3 month criteria in just 1 month? what about those who were granted visas in March? get over here find a job then do it for 3 months then apply and get processed, all be the end of June? probably not. the only people who have any realistic chance of having been processed by the end of June are those who got their initial visa within a couple of weeks of the start of this six months that Mr Tan is so focussed on.

Perhaps he's right and 6 months is too short. Hopefully any review will look at the actual outcomes over time of people coming in on this visa. But by saying only 19 have stayed and quoting a 3% success rate Mr Tan just makes himself look like an idiot.

[stu70]

I found his article right on the money. NZ like any other country will have to do all it can to attract and retain quality immigrants who will contribute towards its sustained growth in this information age. By facilitating all the help NZ can afford, the chances are, the newcomers will stick around. NZ has another reason to be cautious; the two countries that perhaps supply a good chunk of SMC people have their economies getting better and stronger (China/India) every day. As a country of ageing population, NZ/Canada etc. are better off tailoring their immigration policy to be good for their economies. That is primarily what this is all about anyway.

[bob_the_engineer]

The news reports that I’ve heard tend to report the plight of one immigrant.

This journalist has made the effort to collect the views of a group of immigrants from around the world. Additionally he’s drawn on his own experience (as an immigrant) and the experience of a friend, in an attempt to gain the employer’s perspective.

I think he’s put a great deal of work into this article, he’s done the research and tried to present a balanced view, this has to be applauded.

Bob

[Singel]

Another article about this issue : Job rule for migrants not working Carter admits
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10420369