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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.

Up to 30 Korean War veterans will be funded to attend the 60th anniversary commemorations of the Korean War Armistice in July next year, Veterans Affairs Minister Nathan Guy has announced today.

“This will be a chance for veterans to pay tribute to their fellow servicemen and women who served New Zealand in this conflict. It is an important way of honouring those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“All expenses will be covered for those selected to attend the events in Korea, including medical care.

New Zealanders have just one week left to have their say on how to ballot attendance at Anzac Day 2015 in Gallipoli, says Veterans’ Affairs Minister Nathan Guy.

“We expect that record numbers of New Zealanders and Australians will want to attend Gallipoli commemorations in 2015, marking the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landings.

“Because of the steep terrain, the Anzac Commemorative Site in Gallipoli can safely hold only about 10,000 people. This means both countries will need to manage numbers in 2015 to ensure everyone’s safety.

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.

Thank you to the New Zealand Forest Owner’s Association for inviting me to launch the Forest Road Engineering Manual. Congratulations for taking the lead in revising this manual.

I would also like to acknowledge Brian Pritchard, chair of the FOA Transportation Committee; Brett Gilmore as the principle editor who I understand has put a huge amount of work into this project; and all those who have contributed.

As everyone in the room tonight knows, forestry is an important industry to New Zealand. It accounts for:

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Nathan Guy says the 94th anniversary of the end of the First World War tomorrow is a day to remember those who lost their lives while serving New Zealand in this conflict.  

The Allies signed an Armistice with Germany ending hostilities on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.

“The First World War took an enormous toll on New Zealand, and this is a chance to remember the men and women who served,” says Mr Guy.

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.

Racing Minister Nathan Guy will join New Zealand racing industry leaders at a series of regional meetings this week.

He will be joined by the New Zealand Racing Board’s Chairman Dr Alan Jackson and Chief Executive Chris Bayliss to discuss the issues and opportunities facing racing.

“This is an opportunity for people involved at the grassroots of racing to meet with me and the new leadership team at the Racing Board.

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.

A new $60 million package will improve the support and recognition given to veterans who have served New Zealand, says Veterans’ Affairs Minister Nathan Guy.

Prime Minister John Key announced the new package at the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association’s National Council in Wellington tonight.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Nathan Guy has announced this year’s winner of the Battle of Passchendaele Multi-Media Competition as Nathan Garry, 17, from Dunstan High School in Alexandra.

Thank you for this opportunity to acknowledge the sacrifice made by those New Zealanders who fought in the Battle of Passchendaele 95 years ago.

The Battle of Passchendaele Multi-Media Competition is designed to promote a greater understanding amongst young New Zealanders of the terrible sacrifices made during this battle.

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.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Nathan Guy has launched a public consultation programme today on how to ballot attendance at Anzac Day 2015 in Gallipoli.

“April 25th 2015 will mark the 100th anniversary of the Anzac landings on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey. Because of the historical significance, we expect many more people than usual will want to attend commemorations.

“The Anzac Commemorative Site in Gallipoli has a limited capacity, which means New Zealand and Australia will need to manage numbers in 2015 to ensure everyone’s safety.

Tonight I want to say a few quick words about some of the challenges and opportunities facing the forestry industry.

The forestry industry is vital:

Members of the New Zealand Defence Force who served in Syria as part of the United Nations Supervision Mission this year will be eligible for war pensions and allowances, the Minister of Veterans’ Affairs Nathan Guy has announced today. 

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Nathan Guy has commemorated the first ever New Zealand Malayan Veterans’ Day in Wellington today.

“This memorial day will become an annual event, and a chance to pay tribute to all those who served during these conflicts.

“New Zealand forces from all three branches were involved in the Malayan Emergency from 1948 to1960 and the Confrontation from 1963 to 1966.

It is an honour to address you all on the inaugural New Zealand Malayan Veterans’ Day. This memorial day is long overdue. Unfortunately, many veterans have passed away before seeing the day when their service and sacrifice is marked and remembered.

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: