Hon Paul Swain
Minister of Immigration
13 July 2005
Media Statement
Government meets immigration programme
The government has met its immigration programme objectives for the 2004/05 financial year, Immigration Minister Paul
Swain announced today.
Mr Swain said that the objective had been 45,000 new residents, with an allowance to approve an additional 5,000 if
necessary.
Mr Swain said 48,815 people were granted residency under the New Zealand Immigration Programme (NZIP). Of these, 29,826
were approved under Skilled/Business immigration categories, including the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC).
“While the government is investing heavily to give New Zealanders skills training, low unemployment and skill shortages
mean that immigration is one of the ways employers find the skilled people they need,” Mr Swain said.
“Through the SMC, we are attracting the quality migrants including teachers, nurses, tradespeople and IT professionals.
What's more, 87 per cent of people under this category had a skilled job or job offer at the time they were granted
residence.
“Around 60 per cent of those jobs were also in areas other than Auckland, meaning all of New Zealand is seeing the
benefits of immigration.”
Mr Swain said Cabinet has decided to leave the 2005/2006 immigration programme objective at the same level as last year
- 45,000, with an allowance to approve an additional 5,000 if necessary.
“The objective for this financial year takes into account our need to continue to attract skilled migrants, economic
conditions, and our country’s ability to absorb the new residents,” Mr Swain said.
The remainder of the immigration programme includes the Family Sponsored and an International / Humanitarian residence
stream. Last year, 18,989 new residents were approved under these streams.
ENDS