Hon Lianne Dalziel
Minister of Immigration
MP for Christchurch East

13 July 2002
Labour’s immigration policy

Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel today released Labour’s immigration policy.

“Labour’s approach to immigration is to ensure that all New Zealanders can share the benefits of immigration. Our policy continues to focus on attracting skills and talent to help grow an innovative New Zealand, while maintaining our international commitments.

“In its first term, the Labour-led government has successfully allowed New Zealand employers easier access to the global labour market, to help grow their businesses here.

“Labour also recognises the importance of good settlement outcomes, so we have developed Immigration policy alongside our Ethnic Affairs policy. Successful settlement is a two-way street, and New Zealanders need to know that ‘new Kiwis’ are willing to integrate and contribute to New Zealand’s social and economic well-being. The migrant who is willing to engage and integrate is the key, and a welcoming community is what locks successful settlement into place.

“At the same time we have responded to world events in a positive, well-balanced way taking into account our need to offer assurance that security concerns have been addressed.

“It is disappointing that certain people only debate immigration in election year, relying on political rhetoric rather than facts. The fact is 6 out of 10 migrants are skilled workers or business people contributing to our economy. Another 3 out of 10 arrive here as overseas-born family members, and many of them bring skills that contribute to NZ’s social and economic development, and 1 out of 10 come here under a range of programmes designed to meet our international and humanitarian commitments.

“New Zealand is experiencing a net migration gain as a result of more Kiwis coming home, fewer Kiwis leaving and more people coming here permanently or for work or study. The benefits to the economy and to society generally are very real. Labour’s vision for the next three years is to build on the foundation that has been laid in what is a well-balanced, well-managed programme,” Lianne Dalziel said.

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