Fewer Pacific migrants

NEW ZEALAND – Tighter immigration policies have led to significant falls in the number of approved migrants from Pacific countries over the last five years.

Recent figures show that the number of Pacific people allowed into the country has dropped by 28 per cent in the capped family residence category and also in the skilled migrant category, since 2012.

An immigration lawyer, Richard Small, said the policies did not strike a fair balance between bringing skilled workers into the country and valuing family relationships.

“There are many many hurdles to just do basic things that go to the core of the identity of these families, that they need to be together with their loved ones,” he said. “We’re not finding that. We’re finding usually a closed door, in fact a locked door.”

The Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse said the government was generous to applicants from Pacific countries, despite the significant falls in approved applications from the region.