Solution needed for immigration woes

OPINION: You would think as a country we would want to actively encourage smart innovators to move here. But Immigration NZ denies fast-tracked residency for postgraduate university students already contributing to our country, making them feel unwanted. Why doesn’t Parliament change that? An MP from each side of the House gives their views.

immigration provisions to help the tourism sector prepare for the ski season. And we have allowed more working holidaymakers, which will further help sectors facing worker shortages at the moment.

Our Government also has a plan to transition to new ways of training and upskilling Kiwis into jobs, as well as creating incentives to increase productivity through investment in new business practices, capital and new technologies.

We are already working with businesses on how they can attract new workers, whether that is by improving pay and conditions, being more flexible or helping workers fulfil their potential by providing access to skills and training.

And we are also rolling out a number of upskilling and training policies, like free apprenticeships.

New Zealand is a vibrant and beautiful country, and there will always be more people who want to call it home. But there are so many factors at play within our immigration system – humanitarian, social and economic – that’s why getting the settings right is a balancing act.

While some student visa holders may not be eligible for the fast-tracked 2021 Resident Visa, these students can explore other options if they want to stay in New Zealand permanently, like the Skilled Migrant Category visa, which is expected to reopen later this year.

As our economic recovery gains momentum, we will continue to focus on securing the workers most needed for New Zealand’s rebuild from Covid.

factory workers or retail staff.

One of the main causes is that the Government has not prepared Immigration New Zealand to process visas for the border reopening. Immigration New Zealand’s website states that seven months is the current processing time for an onshore visitor visa, five months for a work visa and three months for a student visa.

The Immigration Minister’s lack of action has directly affected our struggling businesses being able to attract skilled workers, and is prolonging the pain of families who have been separated from their loved ones for the last two years.

If all that isn’t enough, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment predicated that 50,000 New Zealanders will leave for an OE or for work after two years of border closures restricting international travel. That is a tidal wave of young workers leaving our shores.

Our immigration settings must be amended and quickly. Governance is about designing and setting policy, ensuring there are adequate resources to deliver it.

Unfortunately, since the Labour Government came to power in 2017, they have failed to deliver. With immigration policy they seem to be stuck in the hermit kingdom mode and unaware of the consequences of their dithering.

If they do not act there will be a decline in our working age population as not only migrants but skilled Kiwis too will head off to other countries where the cost of living is more affordable and their skills are welcomed.