5. Hon TAU HENARE (National) Link to this
to the Minister of Immigration
Has he received a report into Immigration New Zealand’s Pacific division?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (Minister of Immigration) Link to this
Yes, I have received the Ernst and Young Pacific division report, and it is being released via the Beehive website this afternoon. This latest review has found severe deficiencies across Immigration New Zealand’s Pacific division. It paints a damning picture of a poorly performing service that was poorly led and lacked a clear strategic mandate under the previous Government. The division has become isolated from the rest of Immigration New Zealand over time, effectively acting in an autonomous manner, which is out of keeping with accepted practice.
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
The report detailed serious concerns about divisional leadership that lacked accountability and transparency, failed to observe proper process, and created a fiefdom mentality. It described serious concerns about strategic direction under Labour, with no clarity over the divisions, roles, and responsibilities. The division’s management was poor, resulting in ongoing deterioration of service delivery, major inefficiencies, huge application backlogs, and concerns regarding financial processes and compliance. It has not served Pacific people well.
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
The pacific division was the ill-conceived creation of the last Labour Government, and was set up by a former head of the Immigration Service, Mary Anne Thompson. It was never given a clear mandate by Labour. The leadership has been poor and the performance suboptimal. Despite knowing about problems with the Pacific division, the last Government failed to take appropriate action. The mess described in this latest report is unacceptable.
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
I have directed the Chief Executive of the Department of Labour to consider reintegrating all the activities of the pacific division back into the core of Immigration New Zealand. This will ensure that there are clear lines of accountability. I will appoint an independent adviser to report to me on the chief executive’s actions in relation to the Pacific division, and to monitor service performance.