Stories by Gill Bonnett
News
Minister confirms death of MFAT employee in India
A staff member at the New Zealand High Commission in New Delhi has died of Covid-19.
Immigration Minister to outline border policy changes
Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi will be making the case for border policy changes during a speech later today.
NZ citizens stranded in India: 'It's our duty to bring them back'
New Zealand citizens stranded in India should be urgently evacuated by the government because their lives are in serious danger, according to an NGO.
Entertainment industry about 12% of worker border exemptions
Almost one in eight overseas workers approved to enter New Zealand since last June have been cast and crews of films, television and stage shows.
Call for overstayer, temporary worker amnesty to atone for Dawn Raids
The Green Party's Pacific people spokesperson Teanau Tuiono has called for the government to apologise for the Dawn Raids - and the Greens want amnesty for overstayers and residence for temporary…
Departing GP warns govt failing to retain overseas medical staff
A British doctor says he is set to leave New Zealand because he cannot apply for residence.
Migrants join forces as deadlock galvanises action
The founder of a migrant rights group says an immigration deadlock has galvanised immigrants into action.
Immigration New Zealand apologises and refunds over covert residence policy
The chief ombudsman has told Immigration to apologise for an unofficial strategy of cherry-picking highly-paid residence applications amid growing delays in visa processing.
New Zealand residence visa decision due, minister's powers to be extended
The government will make an announcement soon on when it will restart the process for skilled migrants to become residents, it says. A suspension review was expected at the end of March.
Man in prison for murder to be deported on release despite 17 years in New Zealand
A man who launched a fatal attack on an Auckland party-goer will be deported to Samoa when he is released from prison.
Call for scrutiny of Chinese workers' agents, 'lightning speed' visas
An investigation into 10 unlawful Chinese workers should also probe whether agents and corrupt officials helped them secure visas, an immigration lawyer says.
Bubble comes with baggage: Passengers get luggage taken to MIQ
Passengers arriving in Auckland on three flights today have not picked up their luggage at the airport, under a trial which sees bags taken directly to managed isolation hotels.
More emergency spaces added to MIQ, families hopeful of reuniting
Families split by the border closure say news that spare places in managed isolation could be used to reunite them with their partners and children is exciting.
Hundreds of managed isolation vouchers now available for April
Hundreds of managed isolation vouchers have come free for April, and authorities are urging travellers to snap them up.
Karel Sroubek given date for deportation hearing
An appeal by convicted drug smuggler Karel Sroubek against his deportation will be heard in July.
Post-study work visa holders: 'We are being discriminated against'
International graduates are asking the government to remember its promise about allowing migrants who used to live in New Zealand to return.
'It's like a battle of attrition' - Migrant says benefit refusals and delays unjustified
A migrant who was refused government support when he lost his job says unjustified rejections and delays are being used to keep benefit-application numbers low.
Queen tribute act border approval 'kick in the guts' for separated families - National
A Queen tribute act is the latest entertainment crew to gain border exceptions as critical workers and the National Party says it's a "kick in the guts" for families separated from loved ones.
Man allowed to stay in NZ after conning people out of thousands
A couple who faced deportation asked Oranga Tamariki about finding adoptive parents for their daughters so the pre-schoolers could stay in New Zealand.
Visas delayed by Auckland Covid-19 lockdowns - Immigration NZ
Auckland's two recent lockdowns and the limitations of working from home have been blamed for a stalled residence visa queue.
Fearing deportation at 97: 'I'd die'
A 97-year-old woman is among those who fear they will be deported from New Zealand to countries ravaged by coronavirus.
Skilled migrant residency programme in need of review - Faafoi
The immigration minister is considering a revamp of New Zealand's largest residence programme.
Some people 'may now be in NZ unlawfully'
Immigration New Zealand is apologising after sending emails mistakenly informing people their visas had been extended.
A third of rejected asylum cases overturned by appeals tribunal
The immigration and protection tribunal has also upheld appeals by more than one in three people due to be deported.
Doubt over managed isolation facilities 'full house' predictions
Managed isolation demand is forecast to outstrip supply by more than 150 rooms in the next three days, but figures over Christmas and New Year cast doubt on the predictions.