Chief Guest at Indian Cultural Night 2000 in Hamilton

It is an honour and a privilege to be among the members of the Indian community and all of the honoured guests, supporters and friends to celebrate Indian Cultural Night 2000.

I am proud to be part of this coalition government and to have as a Prime Minister, Helen Clark, who has shown her absolute commitment to the ethnic communities of New Zealand.

Helen Clark is the first Prime Minister to appoint a Minister of Ethnic Affairs, in line with our pre-election commitment to give New Zealand's many diverse ethnic communities a voice at the Cabinet table - I refer of course to the Hon George Hawkins, MP.

As Minister of Immigration I am committed to positive settlement and resettlement outcomes. I believe that the only way to measure the quality of an immigration policy is the quality of the settlement outcomes. This Government cares very greatly what happens to our new migrants after they arrive and settle in New Zealand. We want it to be a welcoming place that values the diversity of our many ethnic communities.

The key to successful ethnic communities in New Zealand in my view comes down to two things:-
1. The maintenance of your own language and culture, and
2. Integration into broader New Zealand communities.

These strengthen your links with your own culture and identity, as well as forming links across ethnic boundaries which you do when you serve on your local school Board of Teachers or a sports club committee or a voluntary organisation.

It is that contribution we all make at different times of our lives that binds us together and builds strong communities.

As a significant migrant group in New Zealand, I am sure many of you will be interested in learning about some of the key immigration issues for this Government, and the priorities that lie ahead in the immigration work programme.

SETTLEMENT

The previous Government focussed on the number of new migrants coming to New Zealand and not on the quality of migrant settlement outcomes.

In June, I announced that pilot settlement services for recent migrants to
New Zealand would be established later this year. It is my hope that these pilot initiatives will help to evaluate gaps in the services currently provided, and identify what new services need to be provided in the future to make it easier for our migrants to settle into New Zealand.

In the medium term, an integrated settlement strategy is being created across a range of departments that deal with migrants' needs. This will help to ensure that we at least retain the migrants that we do attract.

For most migrants, the settlement experience begins before they leave their home country. It is, therefore, vital they receive accurate information, and a realistic expectation of what life will be like in New Zealand.

The settlement outcomes for new migrants are also likely to be much more positive if migrants are aware before they come of specific immigration requirements, such as any occupation registration requirements that may apply if they are planning to come under the General Skills Category.

As a migrant group in New Zealand, the Indian community can play an important role in educating prospective Indian migrants to New Zealand. This can be done in a variety of ways, whether it is by providing feedback on your own experience of the transition to life in New Zealand, or, by putting friends and family in touch with information sources on immigration to New Zealand.

CONSULTANTS

Some of you may have used an immigration consultant when you came to New Zealand, and the experience might not have been a good one. I want to make sure that consultants in this field are required to provide a good standard of service at a reasonable price.

I have recently released a discussion document on Options for Setting Enforceable Standards for Immigration Consultants. Groups and individuals have, for some time, expressed concerns about the lack of standards for immigration consultants, which often allows migrants to be exploited.

To begin with, I would like to ascertain particular concerns, their causes, and the size of the problem. Then we can start to examine possible solutions. If anyone would like to read this document, and provide comment, it is available on the New Zealand Immigration Service's website, or, copies are available by telephoning their Information Service Centre (the number is 0508 55 88 55).

NEW DELHI BRANCH

I know that there have been some problems with the New Delhi Branch. I have instituted some changes there to ensure the standard of service by the New Zealand Immigration Service is better.

There is now a new and improved office there and a new Service Manager, Mr Alan Barry, who is committed to providing quality service.

The office is open from 8.30am until 4pm Monday to Friday to all walk-in customers and immigration officers are also available to take telephone calls between 8.30am to 5pm. Staff numbers in New Delhi are also increasing, which will reduce the average waiting time for applications to be finalised.

The Branch has also just published the first edition of Delhi Visa News, which will be updated quarterly. Anyone interested in being added to the mailing list for this publication can send details through to the New Delhi Branch.

The New Delhi Branch is also in the process of reviewing the way they apply marriage policy for New Zealand Indians who travel to India, marry, and wish to bring their spouses to New Zealand. The Branch is focusing on providing certainty to everyone about the type of application that should be lodged, when an interview can be expected, and when a final decision should be made. In particular, they will be seeking feedback to ensure that they are aware of all the important issues that their customers face.

The Branch is also striving to improve the service they provide when processing visitor visa applications. Where the Branch has trouble determining whether an applicant is a genuine visitor, the Branch will often look at the track record of the applicant's sponsor. Therefore, New Zealand sponsors can often assist by providing documentation of their own New Zealand immigration history, which can ensure that the process runs smoothly.

The issue of information required from sponsors has also been raised with me and with the Immigration Service. You may be assured that the Service is looking into this issue.

RESPONSE TO SITUATION IN FIJI

I would like to take the opportunity to advise you on the Government's response to the situation in Fiji. Although the Immigration Service's Branch in Suva is closed to the general public, staff are still attending the office, when possible, to deal with mail and to process urgent residence and visitor applications. The Immigration Service and I are aware of the importance of processing existing visa applications as quickly as possible.

Therefore, the Immigration Branch here in Hamilton is also helping to process urgent applications from Suva. While the situation in Fiji remains unstable, Fijian citizens in New Zealand are able to apply for further permits to allow them to stay for an additional period of up to two months. People who have received this extension can now apply for a three month open work permit.

A number of special provisions have also been put in place to help those most at risk in Fiji. Those who are at risk, who typically have a high public profile and whose safety is obviously threatened, may be granted a visa waiver. This enables them to leave Fiji, even if visa processing is disrupted in Suva. May I assure you that the New Zealand Government hopes that a just resolution to the situation in Fiji is found soon.

CONCLUSION

I would like to conclude by saying that I believe there are immense benefits to be found in immigration.

Migrants bring with them a wealth of skills and experience that make New Zealand the diverse country that it is. As a result, culture plays a significant role in life here, which is clearly evident from your cultural evening here tonight. The challenge is to maximise the benefits for those who come here, as well as the communities within which they settle.

Thank you for inviting me to speak tonight. It's a great pleasure to be able to celebrate Indian Cultural Night 2000 and I wish you a happy celebration.