New regime for visas
The Government is overhauling the scheme that covers international students working in New Zealand.
Immigration Minister Iain LeesGalloway expects the changes to affect 12,000 to 16,000 people, and to result in a drop in annual net migration.
The visa changes, announced today, would end the requirement for a post-study work visa to be sponsored by a particular employer – something that has led to some migrant workers being exploited by their employer without the freedom to speak out, for fear of losing their job and their right to live and work in New Zealand.
‘‘There have been too many cases where migrant workers have been subject to exploitation because they are dependent on a particular employer to stay in the country,’’ Lees-Galloway said.
The overhaul would also significantly change the ability for international students to gain a visa poststudy. Especially those who had completed a shorter, or non-degreelevel qualification.
The length of post-study work visas for courses below degree level would be limited to one year.
People who completed a course of less than two years would not be eligible for a post-study work visa.
Graduates would be able to apply for other visas after their courses finished, or their post-study work visas ran out. But they would need to meet the usual skills and labour market tests. ‘‘Work experience in New Zealand is important to many students who come here to study.
‘‘My proposals retain this while restricting an avenue of exploitation,’’ Lees-Galloway said.
‘‘Too many students are being sold a false dream in New Zealand that the current post-study work rights can put students on a fast track to residency here.
‘‘This has led to a decline in the general skill level of migrants granted permanent residency, and fraudulent and frankly unethical behaviour from some agents, employers and education providers has led to students being exploited.’’
The changes follow a raft of horror stories of migrant worker and student exploitation in recent years.
Each year, tens of thousands of Chinese and Indian families were sold a dream: they sent their children to study in New Zealand, with the hope of them gaining employment, and eventually a permanent life. While only 17 per cent of them would gain permanent residency, along the way many were exploited by dodgy education providers and employers. In some cases, those running the educational institutes, which dolled out near-meaningless qualifications for a hefty sum, also owned businesses in the hospitality, horticulture, and retail industries.
Those who gained post-study visas were bonded to their employer and, in some cases, forced to work long hours, for low wages. A $46 million investment package for Northland is the coalition agreement coming home to roost, according to Winston Peters.
The bulk of the package – $20m – will go to projects targeted at job creation, while $9.9m will support a ‘‘cultural and tourism attraction’’, and $8.7m will go to social and state housing.
A set of studies into the upgrade of Northland’s Twin Discovery Route will get $6.25m and $500,000 will be set aside to investigate rail improvements in Northland.
Speaking to a group of 70 business people and community members at the launch of the provincial growth fund’s investment into Northland at Forum North in Whangarei, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters addressed criticism of the large number of reports and investigations launched by the Government. ‘‘More will be done today for Northland than any government in a very, very long time. This is where a coalition government agreement comes home to roost.
‘‘The Auckland Blues know that you have to do a review, otherwise things go nowhere.’’
Transport Minister Phil Twyford drew shocked looks when he accidentally announced a $625m investment into the Twin Discovery Route before correcting the sum to $6.25m.
The Twin Discovery Route is an 800km A ‘‘vital’’ new 24/7 helpline has been launched to support the thousands of New Zealanders who experience sexual harm each year.
‘‘Safe to Talk’’ (He pai ki te ko¯rero) is a confidential text, phone and email service available to anyone affected by sexual harm in any way – for both survivors and perpetrators.
In a New Zealand first, the service, launched by Minister of Social Development Carmel Sepuloni in Auckland yesterday, provides phone, text and webchat support around medical, emotional, and behavioural issues related to harmful experiences.
Staff on the other end of the phone, led by psychiatrist Dr Siale Foliaki, are experienced sexual trauma professionals.
It was a ‘‘vital and necessary service’’, Foliaki said.
Between January 2016 and January 2017, 5865 people were the victim of rape or sexual assault in New Zealand, according to support agency Wellington Sexual Abuse HELP.
The majority of those were women aged 15-19. In New Zealand, up to one in three girls will be subject to an unwanted sexual experience by the age of 16. For Ma¯ori girls and women, the likelihood of sexual violence is nearly twice as high as the general population. And about one in seven boys and men will have experienced sexual abuse by the time they reach adulthood.
The act of disclosing a problem of sexual harm can be as big as the problem itself, he said. circular journey along the east and west coasts of Northland on State Highways 1, 10, 11, 12 and 16. Twyford said the studies would eventually lead to a $94m investment into the Twin Discovery Route. He also announced a $500,000 investigation into improving rail links in the North Auckland area and to Marsden Point.
Northland Inc chairwoman Karleen Everitt said the package identified ‘‘an eclectic and diverse group of very worthy projects’’.
‘‘We will see a direct positive impact in vulnerable communities with projects that include social and state housing, and programmes that are helping to get our taitamariki off benefits and into jobs, education or training.’’
It was a nod to the Tai Tokerau Northland Economic Action Plan, arguably Northland’s most significant strategic document in terms of economic development, Everitt said.
The plan brought into focus more than 60 projects that were transforming Northland’s economy, she said. ‘‘A number of the projects that will receive funding from today’s and previous PGF announcements sit within the action plan; the Taitamariki 500 (T500) programme which helps get young people receiving a benefit into employment, education or training; the Hundertwasser Arts Centre and Wairau Ma¯ori Art Gallery; and the revitalisation of the Twin Coast Discovery Route.’’
Work that Northland Inc and NZTA had done together on two work streams – roading and tourism development – were a prelude to the announcement, Everitt said.
‘‘Victims – who should actually be known as survivors – should be aware they are the one who is in control of what happens after an act of sexual harm has occurred – no matter if the act is perceived as small, whether the person is known to them or they feel powerless at the time.’’
Getting the right help at the right time was key but for many this could be a daunting step for someone to take, Foliaki said.
Shame and self-blame could act as barriers preventing someone from reaching out for help, so anonymity is a key part of the service.
Those using the service do not have to give any personal details, and can say as much or as little as they like.
‘‘Safe To Talk’’ is suitable for people looking for advice in the immediacy of an incident, or support for a historical act of harm.
The service also offers referrals to specialists in a person’s area, information for family and friends wanting to support someone, information and contact with a specialist for people worried about their own sexually harmful thoughts or behaviour, and connections or referral to medical practitioners for medical care or forensic medical examination.
Due to the hidden nature of sexual harm it can be difficult to gather an accurate picture of the problem, with an estimated 9 per cent of incidents ever reported to police.
Since it was rolled out across the country in April, 665 individual people have contacted the service.
‘‘Safe to Talk’’ is available free and 24/7 by calling 0800 044 334, texting 4334, emailing support@safetotalk.nz or online at www.safetotalk.nz