Wealthy get easier entry to NZ amid fears

Money can’t buy you love – but it may help grease the rusty hinges of New Zealand’s borders.

Government briefing documents released amid New Zealand’s post-Covid immigration quagmire show that those wanting an exemption to enter New Zealand look set to get an easier ride if they earn a salary of $106,000 – twice New Zealand’s average wage – or more.

The documents, compiled by officials, tell Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway and Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford that there is a need to clarify just what an ‘‘other essential worker’’ is.

So-called ‘‘other essential workers’’ so far given exemptions to enter New Zealand, while borders are largely closed, include workers for two films, including a mushroom expert, critical infrastructure workers, a specialist veterinarian, and those delivering a naval vessel.

Officials have now proposed that essential workers could be put into two groups – workers here less than six months and those here longer.

Those planning to stay longer than six months would have to fit one of three criteria.

Top of that list was that they earned at least twice New Zealand’s average wage – at least $106,000 per year. The wage was an indicator of ‘‘high skills’’, the documents say.

They could also be granted exemptions if their role was essential for governmentassociated science projects, or essential for a governmentapproved major event.

The documents further revealed government officials were reviewing criteria to ensure high-value workers were not being kept out.

‘‘We will also consider how border exemptions could apply to high-value investors and our trade obligations related to the entry of business people into New Zealand.’’

They outlined the criteria that those wanting short-term exemptions would need to meet.

They needed to have a ‘‘unique experience and technical or specialist skills’’ such as having a key role in a film, an Antarctic specialist, or a yacht designer for an America’s Cup team.

They could also get in for a project that was ‘‘significant’’ – such as a $100m-plus infrastructure project, and the project would be stopped or severely compromised if they were not