11. PANSY WONG (National) Link to this
to the Minister of Immigration
Does he have confidence in the New Zealand Immigration Service?
Is the Minister satisfied with the cost-effectiveness of Immigration New Zealand spending more than $1 million setting up the NetworkZ Online website, which aims to match employers and employees, when currently only two job vacancies are listed on it, one of which is for a hairdresser? [ Interruption]
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
As much as the member’s colleague Mr Brownlee might need those services, no.
Why is the Minister spending another $2 million to attract information technology specialists from China and India when 1,087 computer specialists are already listed on the Government’s taxpayer-funded, million-dollar website, NetworkZ Online?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
The Government takes very seriously labour shortages and skill shortages wherever they occur in the economy. It is for that reason that the Government prioritises recruitment of specialists in areas of skill shortage.
Peter BrownDoes the Minister concur with New Zealand First that immigration policy should be skill-based, that immigrants should be of good health, of good character, speak English, and be more than willing to integrate into our society—
Rodney Hide
Madam SPEAKERWould Mr Brown please be seated. If there are any more interventions that will be it. Would the member please start again.
Does the Minister concur with New Zealand First that immigration policy should be skill-based, that immigrants should be of good health, of good character, speak English, and be more than willing to integrate into our society; and can he assure the House that the legislation produced as a result of New Zealand First’s insistence to address our immigration laws and procedures will reflect such criteria?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I concur that the member himself is a shining example of everything that his party holds dear.
Dr Pita SharplesTēnā koe, Madam Speaker. How does the Minister believe the Immigration Service is able to uphold the intentions of the Treaty of Waitangi “To control the thousands of future immigrants to Aotearoa New Zealand and, secondly, to protect the rights of Māori people”, as is declared on the Immigration New Zealand website?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
Whatever one might think of controlled immigration, it has certain advantages over the opposite.
Why, after spending $1 million of taxpayers’ money setting up a job website that has attracted 1,087 computer specialists looking for work, is the Minister ignoring these people and spending yet another $2 million to attract information technology specialists from China and India?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
It will not surprise the member to know that computer specialists come in many types. Therefore, there is an ongoing need to match the supply with the demand.
Can the Minister advise the House when we can expect to have legislation before it that will address our immigration laws and procedures?
In the light of the Immigration New Zealand website information, what strategies does the Minister have for Immigration New Zealand to consult with Māori on immigration matters?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
Consultation with Māori is an important part of the work of Immigration New Zealand. In the first instance that is conducted through liaison with the relevant Government agency, Te PuniKōkiri.
Has the Minister changed his mind in recognising work experience from China and India, because in 2002 the Labour-led Government excluded this type of work experience from policy, a decision that directly led to a significant reduction in the number of skilled migrants from those two countries?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
Firstly, China and India will continue to play a very major part in sourcing New Zealand’s migrant flows. Secondly, in the sectors that the member has drawn attention to, significant steps have been taken to liberalise the long-term and immediate skill shortage lists. Thirdly, there has been a removal of the comparable labour market test for employees of multinational companies from those countries.
I seek leave to table a document from the Immigration New Zealand website entitled, The Treaty and immigration.
I seek leave to table the summary page from the million-dollar website NetworkZ Online, which has two job listings, one of which is for a hairdresser.