Statistics New Zealand reported that the net inflow of immigrants continued to be at above average levels last month. The number of people arriving in New Zealand with the declared intention to stay in the country for at least a year was 1,160 higher than the number of people leaving for at least a year, after adjustments for seasonal effects.
At least 15 Malaysian men and women, aged between 18 and 35, are allegedly working without permits at a farm owned by a certain Mr. Bibly in Hastings. They include an accountant, a former bank officer and some young women who accepted the manual farm job to work off their debts in their desire not to go home empty handed. This was revealed by E. Elias, a 44-year old from Malaysia, who declined Mr. Bilby’s job offer after talking with six of the Malaysian farm workers. Elias was similarly duped by an illegal recruiter who promised him an orchard job, a visa and work permit in New Zealand. However, when none of these materialized, he opted to return home and pursued the case against his recruiter.
According to the Immigration Ministry the conviction of some Tongan nationals involved in recent riots could jeopardize their chances for a visa to enter New Zealand. The Tongan Advisory Council had earlier called on the government to blacklist those found to have perpetuated, planned or incited the riots from entering New Zealand.
Sources: NZPA, “Entry to NZ may be in jeopardy," The New Zealand Herald, 21 November 2006; Brian Fallow, “Migrants help to keep economy bubbling," The New Zealand Herald, 22 November 2006; “15 tricked, made to work in a farm in New Zealand," New Straits Times, 27 November 2006