Stories by Gill Bonnett
News
No figures on multi-million costs of visa delays
Education providers are questioning why Education New Zealand is not calculating the cost of visa delays to the sector.
New Filipino labour office to tackle migrant exploitation
A training provider for international students who go on to become farmworkers says immigration exploitation is giving good companies a bad name.
Chinese asylum-seeker tortured for helping North Koreans escape
A Chinese man's mercy drive helped four North Koreans to escape - but also forced him to flee to New Zealand after being tortured by police and harassed by North Korean agents.
Greens' family reunification policy review seeks more settlement funding
The Green Party is calling for a strengthened family reunification policy to match increasing numbers of refugees.
Third of vaping advisory group come from e-cigarette industry
A health advocacy group says it is a risk to have a third of the government's vaping advisory group made up of representatives of the e-cigarette industry.
Immigration NZ expands Hamilton office to tackle backlog
Immigration staff will increase by up to 30 percent in Hamilton as the agency battles to improve delays to visa applications.
Filipino farm worker surprised by 'level of exploitation' in New Zealand
A Filipino worker has spoken out about the exploitation he suffered at a North Island farm while working up to 14 hours a day. Audio
Large scrub fire contained at Skippers Canyon
Firefighters were expected to go back into Skippers Canyon in Central Otago at daylight.
Corruption complaint at Immigration NZ being investigated
Immigration New Zealand is investigating a complaint of corruption against an employee at the agency.
'People are hurting': Visa crackdown impacting on couples, say advocates
Immigration advisers say too many couples are being kept apart because officials are taking a tougher line on partnership and visitor visas.
Immigration NZ admits restructure not smooth
An Immigration New Zealand's official has admitted the organisation was caught with its pants down when migrant numbers spiked while halving worldwide offices.
Concerns over unfair queue-jumping amid long waits for visas
Immigration New Zealand faces questions over whether it is allowing unfair queue-jumping amid long waits for visas.
New Zealanders seeking asylum abroad - UN report
A United Nations report shows dozens of New Zealanders have been accepted as refugees after claiming asylum abroad.
Sexual violence courts to be permanent after pilot's success
The courts should be rolled out nationwide after the scheme reduced victims' anxiety, improved trial speed and quality and increased guilty pleas, a report says. Audio
'A David and Goliath battle': Police inflatable stops environmental disaster
A maritime police officer has described the David and Goliath battle as he stopped a 200-tonne ferry from slamming into an Auckland wharf, from a 12-metre inflatable boat.
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.