Stories by Gill Bonnett
News
Visa changes: too little, too late?
Analysis - The government has announced 10,000 working holiday-makers and seasonal staff can get visa extensions, but some say the numbers are a drop in the ocean and come too late, Gill Bonnett write…
Border exemptions arbitrarily limited to certain sectors - MPI
New documents show tensions arose between government departments over who should get border exemptions and how the dairy industry lost out in favour of space and film projects.
Immigration New Zealand hires 100 as Beijing office shuts
Immigration New Zealand shed more than 300 jobs overseas as it shut branches in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, but recruitment was put on hold due to financial constraints.
Migrant employers will need accreditation under new work visa rules
Employers with migrant staff will need to complete a job check before they or their workers can apply for a visa, in the biggest change to work visas in a generation.
Millions spent on attracting migrants, $900k on repatriation
The government has spent $112,000 to repatriate migrants who could not afford plane tickets to fly back to their home countries, Budget documents show.
Closed borders take toll on stranded post-study workers
Many employers have had to let their post-study work visa holders go - or have kept their job open, but some cannot work remotely.
Minister confirms death of MFAT employee in India
A staff member at the New Zealand High Commission in New Delhi has died of Covid-19.
Immigration Minister to outline border policy changes
Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi will be making the case for border policy changes during a speech later today.
NZ citizens stranded in India: 'It's our duty to bring them back'
New Zealand citizens stranded in India should be urgently evacuated by the government because their lives are in serious danger, according to an NGO.
Entertainment industry about 12% of worker border exemptions
Almost one in eight overseas workers approved to enter New Zealand since last June have been cast and crews of films, television and stage shows.
Call for overstayer, temporary worker amnesty to atone for Dawn Raids
The Green Party's Pacific people spokesperson Teanau Tuiono has called for the government to apologise for the Dawn Raids - and the Greens want amnesty for overstayers and residence for temporary…
Departing GP warns govt failing to retain overseas medical staff
A British doctor says he is set to leave New Zealand because he cannot apply for residence.
Migrants join forces as deadlock galvanises action
The founder of a migrant rights group says an immigration deadlock has galvanised immigrants into action.
Immigration New Zealand apologises and refunds over covert residence policy
The chief ombudsman has told Immigration to apologise for an unofficial strategy of cherry-picking highly-paid residence applications amid growing delays in visa processing.
New Zealand residence visa decision due, minister's powers to be extended
The government will make an announcement soon on when it will restart the process for skilled migrants to become residents, it says. A suspension review was expected at the end of March.
Man in prison for murder to be deported on release despite 17 years in New Zealand
A man who launched a fatal attack on an Auckland party-goer will be deported to Samoa when he is released from prison.
Call for scrutiny of Chinese workers' agents, 'lightning speed' visas
An investigation into 10 unlawful Chinese workers should also probe whether agents and corrupt officials helped them secure visas, an immigration lawyer says.
Bubble comes with baggage: Passengers get luggage taken to MIQ
Passengers arriving in Auckland on three flights today have not picked up their luggage at the airport, under a trial which sees bags taken directly to managed isolation hotels.
More emergency spaces added to MIQ, families hopeful of reuniting
Families split by the border closure say news that spare places in managed isolation could be used to reunite them with their partners and children is exciting.
Hundreds of managed isolation vouchers now available for April
Hundreds of managed isolation vouchers have come free for April, and authorities are urging travellers to snap them up.
Karel Sroubek given date for deportation hearing
An appeal by convicted drug smuggler Karel Sroubek against his deportation will be heard in July.
Post-study work visa holders: 'We are being discriminated against'
International graduates are asking the government to remember its promise about allowing migrants who used to live in New Zealand to return.
'It's like a battle of attrition' - Migrant says benefit refusals and delays unjustified
A migrant who was refused government support when he lost his job says unjustified rejections and delays are being used to keep benefit-application numbers low.
Queen tribute act border approval 'kick in the guts' for separated families - National
A Queen tribute act is the latest entertainment crew to gain border exceptions as critical workers and the National Party says it's a "kick in the guts" for families separated from loved ones.
Man allowed to stay in NZ after conning people out of thousands
A couple who faced deportation asked Oranga Tamariki about finding adoptive parents for their daughters so the pre-schoolers could stay in New Zealand.