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Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse says the Immigration Amendment Bill, that passed second reading tonight, is part of a package to disrupt, deter and manage a potential mass arrival of asylum seekers to New Zealand.

“The Government has been saying for a long time now that it is a matter of when – not if – a mass arrival to New Zealand occurs,” says Mr Woodhouse.

Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse is rejecting criticism that New Zealand isn’t pulling its weight in resettling international refugees.

His comments follow claims by Amnesty International that New Zealand’s contribution to resettling refugees is “tiny” and that New Zealand is part of the problem, not solution, in dealing with people smuggling and mass arrivals.

“New Zealand is rightly proud of its contribution over the years to providing solutions to the world’s refugee problem,” Mr Woodhouse says.

New rules for agricultural vehicles will reduce compliance costs while maintaining safety standards, says Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse.

Mr Woodhouse has signed changes to Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Rule 1999 and seven other Land Transport Rules that will offer agricultural vehicle owners improved compliance and greater operational flexibility from 1 June 2013.

Thank you for inviting me to be here today. I want to start by acknowledging the co-hosts of the Prevent People Trafficking Conference - the Salvation Army, ECPAT Child Alert, and the U.S. Embassy.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank US Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Marie Damour, for the American Government’s significant contribution to tackling this extremely critical issue.

America takes the issue of people trafficking very seriously. So does New Zealand.

Those on the War Disablement Pension and Surviving Spouse Pension will benefit from a one-off 5 per cent increase from 1 April, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Michael Woodhouse confirmed today.

“This special one-off 5 per cent boost to the War Disablement Pension and Surviving Spouse Pension shows the Government is delivering on its election promise to better recognise and support our veterans and ex-servicemen.

New Zealand’s commitment to preventing people smuggling and human trafficking will be reinforced this week at a major conference of Ministers from the Asia-Pacific region.

Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse leaves today for Indonesia to attend the fifth Bali Process Ministerial Conference, bringing together 43 countries to find practical measures to prevent and deter the irregular movement of people.   

Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse is urging everyone to drive safely during the Easter holidays.

“Last Easter we all showed we can make a difference when for the first time since records began in 1956 no-one was killed on our roads. We want another zero road toll this Easter.

“Holiday driving requires extra care and patience – we want every journey to be a safe journey.

“Plan your trip, check your vehicle, turn off your mobile phone and make sure everyone is wearing their seatbelt. Then you can better enjoy the drive.”

Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse launched the Safer Journeys Action Plan 2013-15 at Parliament today.

The Safer Journeys Action Plan 2013-15 will address the most complex and multi-dimensional road safety problems and represents a transformative approach to the Safer Journeys goal of a safe road system increasingly free of death and serious injury.

“Under this action plan, the National Road Safety Committee will champion cross-agency plans and wider partnerships to achieve successful outcomes.

Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse today turned the first sod to begin construction on the 4.8km Rangiriri section of the Waikato Expressway.

"This is a project that will improve safety and travel times for motorists between the Waikato, Auckland and Bay of Plenty, while helping preserve the cultural heritage of the area,” Mr Woodhouse says.

Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse today launched www.nzstudywork.com, an exciting new website designed to provide advice and support for international students in New Zealand.

“The new website provides international students with a ‘one-stop shop’ where they can get information about their employment rights and responsibilities, health and safety in the workplace, work conditions attached to student visas and settlement resources,” says Mr Woodhouse.

Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse has asked officials to investigate the whereabouts of Tongan nationals who may have come to New Zealand after their criminal convictions were wrongly stated by Tongan authorities.

“I am extremely concerned about this situation and have asked Immigration New Zealand to place the highest priority on finding any Tongan nationals who have committed serious crimes and should not be in New Zealand,” says Mr Woodhouse.

Thank you for your warm welcome and thank you all for the opportunity to speak to you today and to meet members of NZAMI.

As New Zealand’s largest immigration adviser association you play a very important part in advising, supporting, advocating and helping migrants with settlement, and I thank you for the good work you do.

You will be aware that consultation is underway on the review of the Immigration Advisers Code of Conduct and licensed advisers have been invited to submit their views.

Visitor numbers for the Centenary Anzac Day Commemorative Services at Gallipoli on 25 April 2015 will be set at 10,500 people, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Michael Woodhouse has confirmed.

“The Turkish Government recently reviewed the Anzac Commemorative Site and has formally advised that the maximum capacity is 10,500 people,” says Mr Woodhouse.

“Demand for places at the 2015 Gallipoli commemorations is expected to significantly exceed the site capacity. That is why both Australia and New Zealand has agreed to ballot attendance passes.”