Stories by Gill Bonnett
News
More Immigration NZ staff, but work visa services unlikely to speed up
Immigration New Zealand says buinesses and migrants should not expect better visa services, following a hike in fees. Audio
Deportations hampered by availability and cost of flights
A lack of flights is being blamed for the number of deportations being hundreds short of government targets.
Immigration tapes: Adviser can no longer practise, firm probed
Immigration authorities have received four complaints against an immigration adviser and multiple teams are investigating.
Immigration adviser on tape offering fake job for $70k
The conversations detail how the money could be paid in cash and in instalments to avoid authorities. Audio
Immigration infringements: Dozens of employers placed on stand-down list
A charitable foundation, a church trust and nail spas are among the businesses on an immigration stand-down list, a public record of employers shows.
Migrants promised fake job no longer eligible for exploitation protection visa
A newly-released Cabinet document shows migrants who have been defrauded with a fake job offer will no longer be eligible for a Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa.
'It's a crazy situation'- employers left in the lurch by work visa delays
Businesses are running reduced hours - and some are closing - because of 'crippling' wait times for work visas. Audio
Health minister eyes immigration changes for healthcare staff
The government is looking at changes to immigration policies that had rolled out the welcoming mat for healthcare workers.
'Higher trust model': Reliable employers could help unblock work visas logjam
A 'crack team' has been set up to work on bringing down spiralling wait times for work visas, the Immigration minister says.
NZ in talks on what data it will share with partners about criminals - including NZers
The discussions on what information NZ will exchange with international partners about criminals - include if its own citizens' data could be shared.
Warnings before key immigration system pushed back until next year
A $35 million upgrade to immigration identity systems has been deferred until after the busy summer period - despite officials' own advice about the risks of doing so.
Visa system outages created 'very stressful situation'
It came as people rushed to apply for visas before the hefty price increase kicked in on Tuesday.
Will Boy George be able to get into NZ for a tour?
The Culture Club singer's previous convictions will be weighed up by immigration authorities ahead of his upcoming New Zealand tour.
Complaints against employers soar even as migrant numbers drop
The number of new migrant workers has plummeted to the lowest level since the border re-opened two years ago - but complaints against employers have soared to record levels.
Visa fees and levies don't stack up - immigration adviser
Overseas tourists and students will be hit with a 'hidden tax' when they apply for visas and they risk being misled about the cost, according to an immigration adviser.
No increase in funding for RSE inspectors in 17 years
Worker numbers have quadrupled from when the scheme started in 2007 - but inspector funding hasn't increased at all.
Immigration New Zealand looking at expanding overseas staff
It comes less than three years after it closed its last major offshore office.
Five Eyes nations consider sharing info from criminal databases
The Five Eyes countries are considering whether they can run checks on each other's criminal databases.
Actor, directors, make-up artist among record number of asylum claimants
More than 2300 claimed refugee status once they arrived in New Zealand in the 12 months to July.
Not enough nurses, too many or an 'artificial glut'?
Hundreds of nurses called to fill critical shortages are without jobs, with one in four recent graduates unemployed and international nurses warning others to stay away.
