The government says it allowed the Avatar film crew back into New Zealand in spite of the current border closures
because the making of the film offers “significant economic value” to our country. But this criterion is being applied
unevenly. What about the America’s Cup crew, or the many work visa holders stranded overseas – do they not also offer
significant economic value?
The government seems to be focusing on picking winners at the arbitrary discretion of the economic development minister.
But these decisions are of national importance and require a lot more consultation and transparency.
The border restrictions blocking migrant workers from re-entering new Zealand are having a detrimental impact on local
communities and their economies. Employers can’t get much-needed workers back into the country – workers who obtained
visas in the first place because there were no New Zealanders to perform the work – and businesses are suffering as a
result.
Small-to-medium businesses require access to staff with the skills and knowledge they need to help their businesses
prosper.
Some of these workers may have been classified through the government’s arbitrary and outdated immigration tools as low-
or mid-skilled, but that’s doesn’t mean they are unimportant in the context of a business operation and its ability to
prosper.
The situation clearly demonstrates the point made by the new leader of the opposition. it’s the economy at the local
level that needs attention. But currently people seeking re-entry to New Zealand with a legitimate work visa now find
themselves in an immigration lottery.
If there is a new economic criterion being applied to make decisions on who’s in and who’s out, we should all be told
about it. We need to know what it is and we need to know it is being applied evenly, for big business as well as
families and work visa holders trapped outside of the border closures.
Fewer than 20% of applications by non-residents to enter New Zealand, including work visa holders, have been approved
according to the latest Immigration New Zealand figures.
The government appears to have overlooked these people and the small businesses that employ them and rely on them.
Aaron Martin – Principal Immigration Lawyer at New Zealand Immigration Law
Aaron Martin is one of New Zealand's most highly regarded and experienced immigration law practitioners. He has
extensive experience assisting individuals, SMEs, and large multi-national corporate clients.
He has experience in general legal practice with over 20 years of experience and a thorough working knowledge of
relevant tax law and commercial issues facing investor category applicants and migrants wishing to establish businesses
in New Zealand.
NZIL - New Zealand Immigration Law
New Zealand Immigration Law is based in Te Atatu, Auckland.
At NZ Immigration Law provides practical expert advice on immigrating to New Zealand. Our goal is to simplify the
application process for our clients and take the guesswork out of the procedure.
We offer expert legal counsel to clients seeking immigration advice. Our passion is to use our skills and expertise in
immigration law to help make our client’s dreams a reality.