Robertson: MIQ tried to be fair under pressure during pandemic

A High Court judge has found that the MIQ lottery system between September and December last year did not suffiently allow the individual circumstances of NZ citizens to be considered and prioritsed where necessary. In a 140 page judgement released yesterday, Justice Mallon points to several flaws in the system, including that it didn't prioritise citizens over non-citizens; and that it allowed in the likes of workers in the construction, seasonal and mariner sectors, refugees and sports teams MIQ spaces, all while limiting citizens' right to return. The case was lodged by the group Grounded Kiwis through London based lawyer Alexandra Birt. Nathan Rarere asked Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson for his reaction to the judgement.