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IMMIGRATION
INTRODUCTION
"Whilst this country,with such a small population,will continue to require an infusion of overseas
skills and expertise,immigration will cease to be used as an excuse for our failure to train,skill,and
employ our own people" (New Zealand First founding principle).
New Zealand must combat the dual problem of significant numbers of our brightest and best young people emigrating overseas. This continues to be a drain on our society, while we face the huge structural and cultural difficulties of failed policies of trying to replace those leaving with immigrants. New Zealand First makes no apology for wanting our people back, or for placing strict limits on immigration into New Zealand.
Our priorities on this front are clear and are based on the premise that coming to New Zealand is a privilege which the government must guard, not a right. Clear obligations and responsibilities must be placed upon new migrants before they are able to gain New Zealand citizenship, including proficiency in English and a clear understanding of our culture.
New Zealand First intends to concentrate upon uplifting the living standards of those New Zealanders here now, rather than adding new pressures through unrestricted immigration. This cannot be achieved through importing cheap labour which only places downward pressure on New Zealand wages.
According to the 2001 Census there were more than 600,000 overseas-born people living in New Zealand. Changes in immigration policy have meant that almost two thirds of the overall growth in the "new immigrant" population since 1986 has come from Asia.
There are now more people of Asian ethnicity than Pacific peoples. The age structure of new immigrants is younger than that of other New Zealand residents. More than half of all new immigrants were living in the Auckland area where one in three residents was born overseas.
PLANS
New Zealand First's immigration policy has one clear aim: to ensure that immigration is in New Zealand's interests. To that end, New Zealand First will:
- drastically reduce the inflow of migrants. We will end the blind commitment to bringing in 45,000 plus migrants annually and ensure that migrant numbers are matched to true gaps in the labour market that New Zealanders are not able to fill;
- review 'family reunification' policies across both the immigrant and refugee categories which have rapidly become an open door for large numbers of unqualified migrants. In the case of the refugee policy, the family reunification category will be limited to spouses and immediate dependent children only and will be incorporated into the 750 annual quota;
- in accordance with the 1951 UN Convention, amend the Immigration Act to ensure that those with a serious criminal conviction from an overseas jurisdiction cannot be considered for refugee status;
- ensure that any suspected terrorist held under the Immigration Act is unable to receive bail;
- replace the Refugee Status Appeals Authority with a body directly accountable to parliament;
- modify the refugee programme to ensure all refugee claims are considered on a case-by-case basis and that refugee numbers are not solely dictated by overseas jurisdictions;
- implement high quality settlement programmes for refugees;
- introduce a probationary period for new immigrants. All new immigrants will need to keep an unblemished record for five years before becoming eligible for citizenship (serious breaches of the law will see residency approvals cancelled and deportation ordered);
- ensure, where appropriate, health screening of overseas visitors to stop the current abuse of our public health system and to protect our citizens. Health screening for migrants and refugees will be bolstered;
- ensure that intentional failure to disclose all relevant information in applications results in loss of residency status;
- offer approved immigrants citizenship (with full rights) or permanent residence (and be subject to foreign ownership restrictions). Those who attain the status of citizenship will obtain the same rights as if born here;
- ensure that our immigration streams are more directly matched to the skills and qualifications necessary to further regional economic and social goals;
- require registration of immigration consultants, such registration to ensure consultants are people of repute who operate to a defined standard;
- ensure the appropriate induction of immigrants into New Zealand society with a civics programme which has due importance given to an understanding of New Zealand customs and an acceptance of New Zealand culture and values;
- require professional bodies to accept overseas qualifications that have been recognised by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority;
- base all immigration policy on the premise that all immigrants must have a sound command of English, a job, and be willing to integrate into New Zealand society;
- ensure that asylum seekers will not gain priority entry to New Zealand; and,
- develop a population policy that integrates immigration policy and economic policy.
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