The Mapp Report
www.wayne-mapp.co.nz
Planning for Immigration
This week, Statistics New Zealand announced a drop in the growth rate, down to 0.9% annual growth compared to 1.3% last
year. Our total population is now 4,100,000 people.
The big reason for the decrease in the growth rate was the drop in net immigration, now down to 8,600 compared to 22,000
last year. There are two reasons for this; the first is the big increase in people leaving our shores - 600 every week
to Australia; the second is the shambles of Labour's immigration policy.
That is why National has set a new path for immigration policy. We want sustainable, predictable immigration with an
emphasis on skills. New Zealand needs productive, enterprising people. The four-year probation period will not deter
skilled and well-qualified immigrants, but it will send a clear signal that no-hopers need not apply. National also
wants a lot more business and investment migrants. Current policy makes it very hard for business people to actually
live in New Zealand, and start a business knowing that they can become permanent immigrants.
National security has become an increasing concern in immigration. We are committed to much stricter processes to deal
with this. It is a scandal that it has taken nearly three years to deal with the national security issues in Ahmed
Zaoui's case. We will ensure a much more effective method of dealing with these issues, with limited rights of appeal.
We will have no part of the endless and expensive appeal processes that Mr Zaoui has been able to indulge in at the
taxpayers' expense.
It is worth recalling that Mr Zaoui was convicted in Belgium in the Criminal Appeal Court of associating with terrorists
with bombs, guns, money and false passports. The court said he was the inspiration of the group. Surely the events in
London scream out to us - don't take the risk with a man like Zaoui.
PROBLEMS WITH SUPERANNUATION
The Herald recently ran a story recently on superannuation unfairness. The story was drawn from the experience of North
Shore constituents. The particular problem is with New Zealand citizens who have worked all their lives in New Zealand,
and who have a spouse who had an overseas super-annuation entitlement. The government is refusing to pay them their own
superannuation entitlement, simply because their spouse has an overseas superannuation entitlement. It has come as an
extraordinary surprise for people to find that their own superannuation entitlement is reduced - or in some cases
totally eliminated - because of their spouse's superannuation entitlement.
The New Zealand superannuation entitlement of each partner is 32.5% of the average wage. That is how the 65% entitlement
is arrived at, being two people at 32.5% each.
WINZ estimates that 347 people are affected by this policy of cutting out the super where a spouse has an overseas
entitlement.
There is a broader group of people who receive superannuation from one or more countries. New Zealand has mutual
agreements with a number of countries that allows offsetting of superannuation where each country has a public pensions
system (as opposed to a private employer superannuation). This policy affects 37,000 people. This rule is a longstanding
provision of our superannuation law. There is a clear difference to the 347 people referred to above, since in this
latter case, the superannuation entitlement is not being lost due to another person's entitlement.
I am holding a public meeting to discuss Superannuation Issues at 1.00pm on Tuesday, 23 August at Milford Baptist
Church, Dodson Avenue, Milford.
LABOUR LIES: # 4
MYTH# 4 : Labour has reduced waiting lists for surgery Truth: The total number waiting for surgery for the year ended
April 2005 is 180,692, compared to 173,882 in March 1999.
12th August 2005
Wednesday, 17th August
Public Meeting With Nick Smith MP
Nick will be speaking on National's RMA policy.
Venue: The Rose Centre, Belmont.
Time: 7.30pm
Sunday, 21st August
NATIONAL PARTY CAMPAIGN LAUNCH 1.00pm Auckland Room SkyCity Convention Cntre 90 Federal Street AUCKLAND
All National Party members & supporters are welcome. The event is free of charge, however entrance will be strictly by named/numbered ticket only.
Please contact the North Shore Electorate Office on 09 486 0005, or email
office@wayne-mapp.co.nz, to put your name down.
Tuesday 23rd August
Public Meeting on Superannuation
Wayne Mapp will be speaking on the critical issue of superannuation and overseas pensions.
Venue: Milford Baptist Church, Dodson Ave, Milford.
Time: 1.00pm.
Dr Wayne Mapp
ENDS