Call to let students, highskilled enter NZ

AUCKLAND: Prominent business leaders want the Government to let wealthy international students back into the country through managed isolation and quarantine facilities run by universities.

Speaking at a crisis summit yesterday, Auckland Mayor Phil Goff, former prime minister Sir John Key and former Air New Zealand chief executive Rob Fyfe all signalled the need to expand quarantine facilities to make the most of New Zealand’s Covid19free status, while also letting in the right people to keep New Zealand’s economy afloat.

Sir John said New Zealand was facing a financial crisis, not a health crisis.

He warned a significant contraction of the economy was on the way and the country’s economic hub was at risk.

‘‘If Auckland slows down, the rest of the country slows down. If Auckland slows down, it matters.’’

Mr Goff said some forecasts estimated 50,000 Aucklanders would lose their jobs due to Covid19’s economic impact, 53% of the $7.8 billion of Auckland’s tourist spend coming from overseas visitors.

Also, international students brought $2.8 billion to the city.

Mr Goff said Auckland Council had submitted a proposal to the Government for a pilot scheme which would screen highvalue international students, who could be quarantined in student hostels.

It would involve a 24/7 monitoring regime on a userpays basis.

He believed the border expansion should not be limited to students, as highly skilled workers were also vital for keeping major construction and infrastructure projects going.

‘‘Core workers can be given entry subject to strict quarantine requirements organised and paid for by the companies employing them, rather than the taxpayer.’’

Sir John agreed, saying a trial run of international students could be a way of giving a ‘‘lifeline’’ to struggling New Zealand universities.

‘‘Why wouldn’t you start, at least with a trial — start with a couple of hundred students and go from there as you build your confidence.’’

Mr Fyfe, who is part of the Government’s Covid19 response team, was hopeful there would be a significant expansion in the quarantine facilities in the new year.

He said international students would not necessarily be the top priority.

While international students were a valuable source of revenue, critical skills were also needed in the construction and infrastructure industries.

‘‘There’s other businesses that have essential technical workers that need to come in, so it would be great to do a scan of all the demands that are out there and start prioritising.’’ — RNZ