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Immigration Minister Nathan Guy has announced that tough new rules for all fishing vessel operators who employ foreign crew in New Zealand’s waters take effect from today.

“These new rules come from the Ministerial Inquiry into foreign chartered vessels (FCVs), which recommended that the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment should strengthen its monitoring and enforcement arrangements.

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman and Immigration Minister Nathan Guy have announced a widened assistance package for local staff who have been closely involved with the NZ Defence Force and NZ Police in Bamyan, Afghanistan.

Former interpreters who have resigned from employment with the New Zealand-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in the last two years will also be offered a resettlement option.

I’m very pleased to be here today to launch the Refugee Resettlement Strategy.

Overall, we do well with our settlement of refugees but I’m convinced we can do even better.

The Refugee Resettlement Strategy is a fresh approach in how we look after new refugees and help them settle into New Zealand life.

I know that a number of you here today have been involved in the strategy and I want to thank you for your input.

Immigration Minister Nathan Guy has today launched the Refugee Resettlement Strategy, aimed at delivering better outcomes for refugees settling in New Zealand.

“New Zealand has a proud record of taking in refugees from around the world and giving them a new life here. However we want to do an even better job of helping them integrate into society, particularly in terms of finding employment and becoming self-sufficient,” says Mr Guy.

Immigration Minister Nathan Guy has today announced a new agreement with China Southern Airlines to make it easier for high-value Chinese tourists to visit New Zealand.  

“Planned to start from 22 November, Gold and Silver frequent flyer card holders with China Southern Airlines will not have to produce evidence of sufficient funds to support themselves, as long as they can show their flight records over the previous two years.

Immigration Minister Nathan Guy is representing New Zealand at the annual Bali Democracy Forum this week.

The two-day Forum in Nusa Dua, Bali, brings together Heads of State and Foreign Ministers from countries across Asia, the Middle East and the Pacific.

“This is an opportunity for countries to share their experiences and work together on strengthening democratic institutions throughout the region,” says Mr Guy who is attending on behalf of Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully.

A group of Afghan interpreters working for the New Zealand Defence Force and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Bamyan will be offered resettlement in New Zealand.

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman and Immigration Minister Nathan Guy announced today an assistance package for the 23 interpreters currently employed by the Provincial Reconstruction Team.

Cabinet approved the package on Tuesday and a process is underway to communicate the decision to the interpreters in Bamyan.

Good morning and thank you for giving me the opportunity of opening your Conference today. 

As you know this conference receives funding from the Labour and Immigration Research Centre at the Ministry of Business, innovation and Employment.

So I want to focus today on some of their research and how it helps shape Government policy and thinking. This research is very important to us as we work to increase the contribution that immigration makes to New Zealand’s economy and society.

Associate Immigration Minister Kate Wilkinson has declined to grant a visa that would allow Mike Tyson to enter New Zealand.

"The original decision in respect of Mr Tyson was a finely balanced call based on the letter of support from a board member of the Life Education Trust," Ms Wilkinson says.

"When the Trust withdrew its support I received another application from Mr Tyson's representatives with the support of the Manukau Urban Maori Authority.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett and Immigration Minister Nathan Guy have today announced a further boost to recruitment for the Christchurch rebuild through a new Canterbury Skills and Employment Hub.

"Helping people into work on the Christchurch rebuild is a key priority for this Government and a streamlined business friendly recruitment process is vital," says Mrs Bennett.

Mike Tyson’s visa has been cancelled by Associate Immigration Minister Kate Wilkinson today.

Ms Wilkinson says the original decision to grant a Special Direction to Mr Tyson was a finely balanced call and a letter of support from the Life Education Trust, that would have been a benefactor from the visit, was a significant factor in approving the application.

Immigration New Zealand officers have a range of new powers coming into effect today which will help protect the integrity of our border, says Immigration Minister Nathan Guy.

“Compliance officers now have increased powers to search at the border, and the ability to detain people liable for deportation for a limited period of time.

“They also have the power to obtain biometric information like fingerprints, and greater access to the records of education providers.

Good morning and thank you for asking me along to speak to your conference today.

Can I acknowledge Tuariki Delamere, MC for the Conference, and Simon Laurent, Chairman of NZAMI.

Today I want to speak to you about a range of important immigration issues that I’ve been working on as Minister over the last nine months since I took on this very important portfolio.

In particular I want to touch on:

Nathan Guy is heading to Australia today for a range of meetings covering the Veterans’ Affairs, Immigration, and forestry portfolios.

Mr Guy will be meeting with Australian ministers and officials in Canberra to discuss planning for the 2015 Anzac commemorations at Gallipoli.

“It’s important we work closely together on what is going to be a very important event for Australia, New Zealand and Turkey.”

Mr Guy will also be meeting with Australian Immigration Minister Chris Bowen.

Good morning and thank you for giving me the opportunity to address you today. It’s been an eventful few weeks in the immigration space and I’ve certainly learned that there’s never a dull moment when you’re looking after the immigration portfolio!

Immigration Minister Nathan Guy has announced that work rights for English language students in Canterbury will be extended, giving a boost to the export education sector in the region.

“Foreign students are an important industry for Canterbury, but numbers have taken a hit since the major earthquakes,” says Mr Guy.

“This new initiative will help attract more international students to Christchurch, stimulating the industry and local economy.”

Good afternoon and thank you for asking me to say a few words today. It’s great to be here to celebrate two significant milestones for Immigration New Zealand.

I’m sure most of us here today know what a major contribution immigration makes to New Zealand’s economy and society.

Immigration creates jobs by encouraging innovation, deepening our links with international markets and providing the capital and skills we need for growth.

Thank you very much for inviting me to be here today.

This is an important event because export education is such an important contributor to the economy, and an important priority for us as a Government.

In fact it’s now our 5^th largest export industry, worth around $2.3 billion a year to the economy. 

Acting Immigration Minister Kate Wilkinson and Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce have welcomed today’s operation by Immigration New Zealand to take action with a number of people who are in New Zealand as a result of student visa fraud.

“This fraud was uncovered in a regular audit by Immigration New Zealand. It’s pleasing to see this kind of illegal activity detected and acted on quickly,” Ms Wilkinson says.

Good morning and thank you for inviting me today.

Firstly I would like to acknowledge RSE Employers, Growers and Contractors here today. Thank you for your work in making the RSE scheme a success over the last five years.

I also want to acknowledge the government officials and organisations here today who have also worked hard on this programme.

Thanks also to Peter Silcock, Chairman Geoff Lewis and the Horticulture New Zealand staff and their supporters, who have worked hard to make this conference happen.

Immigration Minister Nathan Guy has acknowledged World Refugee Day and says New Zealand can be proud of its humanitarian contribution.

This year, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) theme is ‘one refugee without hope is too many’.

“It is a tragedy that the work of the UNHCR is still necessary for so many families and individuals, but we can be proud of the role New Zealand plays in helping people who have had their lives torn apart.

EA major exercise in Auckland today has shown New Zealand’s preparedness for dealing with a mass arrival of asylum seekers by boat, according to Immigration Minister Nathan Guy and Customs Minister Maurice Williamson.

Exercise Barrier has seen around 100 role players acting as potentially illegal immigrants being processed through health, customs and immigration checks following their simulated arrival by boat.

I am pleased to attend the launch today of STOP THE TRAFFIK Aotearoa New Zealand.

This newly formed network shows a commitment to effective, coordinated anti-trafficking efforts by NGOs, service providers and other interested parties.

People trafficking is an abhorrent crime. It is also very distinct from people smuggling. People smuggling is voluntary illegal migration. It is a violation of nation’s borders.

Welcome. It is my great pleasure to be hosting this breakfast today to acknowledge World Refugee Day, which occurs a week from today.

I would like to pass on my thanks to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and Refugee Services Aotearoa New Zealand, who have initiated this event. I would especially like to welcome from Australia Mr Rick Towle, the Regional Representative from the UNHCR.

I would also like to acknowledge the other Members of Parliament present here today and distinguished guests.

World Refugee Day