Immigration
Would-be citizens face widely variable wait times for processing
Thousands of New Zealand residents are waiting up to 18 months to get citizenship, while others take a quarter of that time.
The Week in Detail: Baggage, backbenchers and school boards
The Detail podcast brings you the issues behind the news every weekday. Here's what we covered this week. Audio
Cabinet taken out of the loop on family reunification visas, papers show
A briefing to the immigration minister shows he was advised to make a decision halting a family reunification policy without Cabinet discussion.
'Incident management' team set up to pick up pace of visa processing
The immigration minister says visa processing is going very well and these teams periodically are brought in to increase performance but the National Party says it suggests something is wrong.
Lynnmall attack: A year on, ministers eye law change on deportation
The government is considering how it can change the law to deport people who pose a threat to national security.
'We need to stop this right now': KiwiSaver fees plan a tax grab - Luxon
National leader Christopher Luxon wants plans to charge GST on KiwiSaver fees scrapped, saying he was getting complaints until 2am today. Audio
Judging the great immigration reset
We've slowed immigration to a trickle to stave off infrastructure overload, but at what cost? Audio
'I can't wait any more': Nurses plan to leave NZ over residency rules
Frustrated New Zealand-trained migrant nurses may leave the country because they cannot find an immediate path to residency, as the government tries to entice foreigners to fill thousands of health…
International students make a welcome return to Aotearoa
International education has been forever changed by the pandemic. Now that borders have fully reopened, we hear from two students about their experiences and find out what the future looks like for… Audio
'Almost like a dagger to your heart': Plans to reunite split families shelved
Cabinet approved the plans a year ago but then decided against the move, briefing papers show.
'Actually a positive policy' - Immigration Minister on migrant workers' pay decision
The Immigration Minister is defending the decision to pay skilled migrant workers less than the new median wage requirement. Audio
Hospitality NZ pleased government letting more workers in
Hospitality New Zealand is toasting the government for the decision to allow thousands of newcomers into the country who might also help the hospitality sector deal with chronic labour shortages.
… Audio
Immigration Minister on allowing thousands of extra workers to NZ
Offering what it hopes is immediate relief to businesses hard-hit by the global worker shortages, the government is allowing thousands of extra workers into New Zealand.
These would include an… Audio
Aged care representative on immigration changes
A new Government plan will allow the aged care sector to cut skilled migrant workers pay in a bid to staff struggling rest homes.
Key sectors, including aged care, construction, and seasonal… Audio
'Painful separation': Couple's wait goes on as INZ assurance over visas fizzles
Families desperate to see their relatives say the border reopening has not brought an end to their wait.
Migrant doctors say they're jumping through hoops to get roles
About 80 doctors in New Zealand, who graduated from medical schools overseas, say they cannot get the hospital internships they need to be fully fledged practitioners here.
21 work visas granted as employers struggle to get staff
Only 21 visas have been issued since accredited employer work applications opened more than five weeks ago and only two out of five businesses have reached the stage where a migrant can apply.
Alphorn group adds music to Swiss national day celebrations
In the early 20th Century more than half the Swiss living in New Zealand lived in Taranaki; now a new generation is celebrating its Swiss heritage by taking up the traditional alpine instrument. Audio
DHBs not in 'targeted consultation' over Green List nursing question
The government never directly consulted with district health boards over whether it should offer international nurses the same "straight to residence" that migrant doctors will get.
DHBs weren't consulted about fast track residencies
District Health Boards around the country were never directly consulted about whether international nurses should be left off the list for super fast residency visas.
The government has repeatedly… Audio
