New Zealand

NZ admits 51,236 new residents

Some 132,360 temporary workers and 51,236 new residents, including nearly 32,000 skilled and business migrants, have been welcomed into New Zealand last year. According to Immigration Minister David Cunliffe the country benefited from the arrival of high quality migrants from around the world who brought their skills to New Zealand. This month, Cunliffe raised the annual target for new residents to 52,000, the highest level since 2001-2002.

No to immigrants who don’t share NZ’s bedrock values

In a recent speech in Auckland, National leader Don Brash cautioned New Zealand against accepting immigrants that do not have the same “bedrock" values as Kiwis. These values, Brash explained, include acceptance of democracy, the rule of the law, religious and personal freedom and equality of the sexes. Brash said New Zealand should not accept foreigners who reject the basic aspects of its culture and way of life.

No brain drain to Australia: Cullen

New Zealand’s finance minister Michael Cullen downplayed allegations that the country is suffering from brain drain to Australia, preferring to call the phenomenon “brawn drain." According to Cullen New Zealand imports highly skilled workers from Australia and elsewhere and exports low- to mid-skilled workers. This trend, Cullen adds, shows an integrated labor market “where skills go wherever they are most highly valued."

Health boards oppose granting residency to high-cost patients

According to Dwayne Crombie, chief executive of the Waitemata District Health Board, a number of irregular immigrants have been sneaking into New Zealand to undergo expensive medical treatment, which they cannot pay for. According to health board officials foreigners have unpaid health bills since 2003 amounting to NZ$10 million. There is a move by some health board members to introduce compulsory medical insurance for visitors so as not to overburden the healthcare system. Meanwhile, Immigration Minister David Cunliffe clarified that immigrants were not accepted into the country if they had a medical condition that would unnecessarily burden the health system. However, medical waivers could be granted in some cases involving immigrants who are likely to give a significant contribution to New Zealand.

Man acquitted of murder charges, held for immigration violation

A jury has found Chinese man, Feng Li, 44, not guilty of murdering his lover, 54-year old Auckland massage parlor owner, Xiukun Feng, on 21 July. However, immediately after his acquittal he was issued an immigration removal order and was taken into custody four days later. Li’s work permit had allegedly expired in May. He will remain in custody until his Chinese passport is renewed so he could be sent back to China.

Sources: NZPA, “Immigrants ‘sneaking’ into NZ for hospital treatment," The New Zealand Herald, 16 July 2006; NZPA, “Cost versus contribution, sick migrants test rules," The New Zealand Herald, 17 July 2006; NZPA, “51,000 new residents," The New Zealand Herald, 17 July 2006; “NZ benefits from high quality migrants," People's Daily, 17 July 2006; AAP, “Brain drain? More like brawn drain: NZ," The Sydney Morning Herald, 28 July 2006; NZPA, “Immigrants must share our ‘bedrock values’ says Brash," The New Zealand Herald, 28 July 2006; “Man cleared of murder held on immigration claim," The New Zealand Herald, 31 July 2006