Stories by Gill Bonnett
News
Long wait for immigration decision on human trafficking victims
Fifteen victims of human trafficking who gave evidence in court are waiting to find out their fate - four years on from the court case which they fear put them in jeopardy of revenge attacks.
Visa rejected despite 'compelling evidence' of genuine relationship
A couple fighting their immigration case are living thousands of kilometres apart - despite their relationship never being assessed to see whether it is genuine.
Police presence at Ihumātao 'complete overkill' - councillor
Two Auckland city councillors say an increased police presence at Ihumātao has run roughshod over the prime minister's commitment to enter peaceful and honest talks with protesters. Video
Increase in asylum claims causing lengthy wait times - MBIE
Targets for decisions on applications for asylum have not been met - and one person has been waiting for more than three-and-a-half years to find out their fate.
Immigration NZ approach 'harsh and draconian'
An immigration lawyer says the government is reneging on pledges it wouldn't let foreign students take the blame for fraud committed by agents.
Subway's 'baffling' lack of oversight of employment standards
A Dargaville Subway shop must pay nearly $10,000 for failures to pay holiday rates, prompting labour inspectors to make the brand's franchises a priority.
Another restructure in process for Immigration NZ
Immigration New Zealand says a shake-up of senior management aims to forge new relations with businesses and focus on fraud and worker exploitation.
Decision looms on former child gang member staying in NZ
A former child gang member, who fled to New Zealand to escape revenge by his former associates, could lose the right to protection because of his criminal past.
Immigration NZ hiring more staff to get through visa partnership backlog
Immigration New Zealand says it is working hard to improve processing times as it deals with a backlog of almost 12,000 people waiting to join their partners here.
Dunedin's Baldwin St loses battle for steepest street
Dunedin can no longer lay claim to the steepest street in the world after Guinness World Records accepted the challenge from Harlech, Wales.
Immigration NZ restructure only saved half what was promised
Redundancy payouts to 250 staff at Immigration New Zealand have cost almost $8 million - and the restructure has achieved a fraction of the savings it set out to.
Immigration NZ 'grey-listing' advisers who make complaints
Immigration advisers and lawyers are describing a climate of fear where they feel targeted for speaking out, with alerts being put on their records after they make complaints.
Indian loan shark victim allowed to stay in New Zealand for a year
An Indian man has been allowed to stay in New Zealand for a year to earn money to pay back debts in India.
Number of fraudulent visa applications to NZ nearly doubles
Fraudulent visa applications are on the rise in India, Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe, Immigration New Zealand says.
Immigration NZ denies racial profiling to rank applications
In a briefing document on student visas, nine nationalities are blanked out in a table showing the numbers of high, medium and low-risk applications.
NZ's Space Agency to track objects in orbit
A pilot scheme will allow officials to monitor satellites launched from New Zealand, to minimise space debris and collisions as a "regulator of space activity".
Rapist loses appeal against deportation to Philippines
A 43-year-old man, who raped a 20-year-old homestay student in 2016, has lost an appeal against deportation.
Immigration advisers harassed due to INZ's 'apathy'
Immigration advisers say they are receiving death threats and abuse from clients struggling with long visa processing delays.
Woman's UAE move to prove relationship with Egyptian husband
A New Zealand woman says she is "broken" after having to move abroad to prove her relationship while relatives need her at home.
Delayed parent visa decision: 'It's not a stalemate'
Families waiting for a government decision on whether overseas parents can join them say they feel like collateral damage as they wait for coalition parties to come to an agreement on immigration.
Visa delays could cost education sector billions
Education New Zealand is concerned visa processing and other immigration issues could thwart its International Education Strategy, including $6b revenue for the sector by 2025.
The 'unintended consequences' of tightening student visas
Immigration New Zealand is under fire from students and education providers who say they are paying a heavy cost for a poor planning of its restructure and forecast visa numbers.
Visa delay forces 'heartbroken' mum to leave baby in India
Staff shortages and a backlog of cases are being blamed for continued delays to visas which are separating families and causing headaches for students and businesses.
Australian election: Surge in NZ immigration website searches
Immigration New Zealand registered four times more website visits than usual from Australia the day after the country's general election.
Aussie-NZ policy differences may change with new govt
Policy differences between New Zealand and Australia will be under review if Labor makes it into government over the ditch this weekend.