Media Release

18 February 2003

Consultants Should Think Of NZ First, Says Peters

New Zealand First says immigration consultants should stop complaining about residency issues and place the interests of their country ahead of their wallets.

This follows a number of consultants accusing the Immigration Service of using the residency application process to ration immigrant numbers.

Rt Hon Winston Peters said that it appeared that after months of pressure from New Zealand First, the Immigration Service is slowly changing its “open door, welcome mat” policy and is starting to process applications properly.

“Immigration has been the fastest growing business in New Zealand over the past few years and many consultants have made millions of dollars from what has virtually amounted to people trafficking.”

Mr Peters said it was highly significant that the consultants had been silent over such issues as bogus marriages, fake English language certificates, false job offers and the host of other scams.

“They only complain if their pockets hurt.

“Their claim that lengthy residency delays could mean that this country attracts a lower quality immigrant is nonsense because New Zealand is already a haven for migrants who come here to take advantage of our health, welfare and education systems.

“If there is a genuine shortage of skilled labour in some areas, and New Zealanders cannot be trained for the jobs, then we should target skilled people in countries with a similar culture to our own – just as we did so successfully in the past,” said Mr Peters.

ENDS

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