Rt Hon Winston Peters
New Zealand First Leader
24 NOVEMBER 2014
Escaping a Shady Past? Platinum Credit Card Level for Immigration, Priceless
New Zealand First is questioning why arrangements between Immigration New Zealand and China UnionPay will see
streamlined visa processing for holders of Platinum and Diamond UnionPay credit cards.
“Prime Minister John Key had not learnt lessons from the Kim Dotcom fiasco, which has cost hard working Kiwi wage
earners and businesses a fortune in court costs,” says New Zealand First leader Rt Hon Winston Peters.
“Immigration by credit card status makes us look like a banana republic. Instead of saying we have a rigorous
immigration programme and policies we’ve instead delegated the whole thing to a bank
"If holding some sort of platinum card is going to be the criteria for immigration then you leave New Zealand hugely
exposed.
"The Chinese government itself has warned about its country's number one problem being corruption. If it's good enough
for them to say it, why would we agree to this arrangement?
“To which other country do we confer this privilege, or for that matter which other country confers that privilege on
us?” asks Mr Peters.
ENDS