Dr Wayne Mapp
National Immigration Spokesperson
17th February 2004

Zimbabweans need residency, not work permits

It's time the Government gave permanent residency to the people from Zimbabwe living here on visitor visas, says National's Immigration spokesman Wayne Mapp.

There are approximately 2600 Zimbabweans living in New Zealand, unwilling to return because of Robert Mugabe's regime.

"Simply rolling over work permits for another 12 months just creates uncertainty. Many of these people have lost everything in Zimbabwe. They have no real prospect of returning. It is time the Government recognised this reality.

"The Zimbabweans have proven themselves to be hardworking with skills of real benefit to New Zealand.

"If they have been living in New Zealand for three years with a solid work history they should have the right to permanent residency," said Dr Mapp.

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