Newzealand dream turn to nightmare
I urge a protest outside the Newzealand embassy .... Hrrrrph Hrrrmph..
Only a few weeks ago, New Zealand was identified as the best place for British expats to make a fresh start.
It didn't take long for the accolade to wear thin.
The dreams of hundreds who left for a better life on the other side of the world are now turning into nightmares.
The expats face losing their jobs and being kicked out of the country because of the credit crunch and what is said to be a major shift in policy by the New Zealand government.
With unemployment at a six-year high of 5 per cent of the population of 4,300,000, tough economic times have led to jobs going to native New Zealanders first.
One reason is the decision by Kiwis who have lost jobs overseas to return and seek work at home.
Employment minister Paula Bennett says more than 3,000 of the 26,000 who returned last year ended up on benefits.
Jobless foreigners risk losing their work visas and having to return to Britain, with some accusing the New Zealand government of pursuing a 'jobs for Kiwis' policy.
A migrant assistance group, created by two Britons who emigrated nine years ago, has infuriated the government by issuing a pamphlet that claims the attitude of officials is: 'We've taken your money, used your skills, now b****r off!' Mike Bell, of the Move2NZ group, said: 'We are seeing families who have worked here years being effectively kicked out in two weeks.
But the 'Essential Skills' policy of bringing in experts from abroad appears to be in tatters. This follows a report last month from the New Zealand auditor general that highlighted bad decision-making in the immigration department.
Mr Bell said New Zealand lured skilled foreigners who filled gaps in the jobs market and added more than £3billion a year to the economy.
Source : The Daily Mail
no wonder why so many kiwi immigrant move to oz as soon as they became nz citizen . . . . .
Aus unemployment is just as bad.
i suggest that people thinking of emigrating go to Canada instead eh and leave the sheep to us Brits..
Gee Thanks, Britexpat. So I'll keep this destination as my retirement home. Hope my old bones (if I live that long) would be able to take the weather.
But as for working in NZ, there are more sheep than people there so not many avenues if workers are ambitious. More laid back, but beautiful place.
"The expatriates face losing their jobs and being kicked out of the country because of the credit crunch and what is said to be a major shift in policy by the New Zealand government."
- Things can change. Right now, because of the credit crunch, this problem exists everywhere. This is part of the reason that protectionism is preferred, for citizens of a particular country. In times of trouble like these, governments protect their own citizens first and foremost.
"With unemployment at a six-year high of 5 per cent of the population of 4,300,000, tough economic times have led to jobs going to native New Zealanders first."
- Rightly so.
"Jobless foreigners risk losing their work visas and having to return to Britain, with some accusing the New Zealand government of pursuing a 'jobs for Kiwis' policy."
- How can they criticize the NZ govt for protecting its own citizens? Most countries do.
"A migrant assistance group, created by two Britons who emigrated nine years ago, has infuriated the government by issuing a pamphlet that claims the attitude of officials is: 'We've taken your money, used your skills, now b****r off!' Mike Bell, of the Move2NZ group, said: 'We are seeing families who have worked here years being effectively kicked out in two weeks."
- Yeah, I'm on their newsletter. They're doing a good job of helping to settle migrants in to NZ. But that's not a fair statement to make. The bigger picture is that NZ relaxed immigration rules to encourage migrants to help support its infrastructure and those who got in at the material time, enjoy the benefits of citizenship.
The only thing constant in life is change and people just have to roll with the punches. Because of its returning citizens, NZ no longer needs that many expats so they tighten their rules. Also, the Govt has a social obligation to protect its own people.
"But the 'Essential Skills' policy of bringing in experts from abroad appears to be in tatters. This follows a report last month from the New Zealand auditor general that highlighted bad decision-making in the immigration department."
Mr Bell said New Zealand lured skilled foreigners who filled gaps in the jobs market and added more than £3billion a year to the economy."
- Needs further investigation by the relevant parties esp. since the Auditor General highlighted certain issues. Hope they'll find the gaps in their policies and revamp them. Anyway, creating a ruckus like this helps - to put pressure to bear on the govt to have a serious look into this matter.
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Don't want no drama,
No, no drama, no, no, no, no drama
Its those Kiwi women, cheap housing, sun, sea and rugby..We were duped..
Why go to NZ when in GB you can compete for a well paid job with foreigners job seekers as well. No doubt tax could be higher and salary could be much lower but at least you are not thrown around like what it is now.