MIGRATION NEWS
POPULATION: The South Island’s Garden City has outstripped the capital in population growth and is now the nation’s second biggest city. Statistics New Zealand figures show Christchurch has a population of 382,200, 300 more than Wellington.
But though Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker is cock-a-hoop over his city’s promotion from trailing a long way behind Auckland and Wellington... more >
AWARDS: New Plymouth is one of the best places in the world to live, according to judges in a United Nations-endorsed awards.
The Taranaki city has been awarded first place and a gold award for cities of population up to 75,000 in the International Awards for Liveable Communities (LivCom), held at the weekend in Dongguan, China.
The awards looked at communities around the world doing the... more >
HEALTH: Some health officials are calling for the establishment of an official New Zealand website which rates doctors, to combat the growing number of unofficial international sites.
Health and Disability Commissioner Ron Paterson said doctors needed to take a proactive approach.
Consumer websites are coming, whether they are a good idea or not, he told the NZ Doctor magazine.
"The challenge... more >
ECONOMY: Salary and wage rates rose strongly in the September quarter, but economists expect the rate of increase to slow markedly.
Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) said the labour cost index (LCI) showed a rise of 3.6 percent in salary and wage rates, including overtime, in the year to the September quarter. That annual increase was the largest since the series started in 1992.
For the September... more >
VISAS: From next month young New Zealanders heading to Britain will be able to work there for two years, Prime Minister Helen Clark announced on Wednesday.
At present they can go to the United Kingdom for two years under a Working Holiday Visa which allows them to work for one year of their stay.
From November 27 there will be a new visa category under the Youth Mobility Scheme allowing them... more >
ELECTION 08: Labour is promising 100 extra places in New Zealand medical schools by 2011, toughened regulation and public audits of aged care facilities and free annual health checks for the intellectually disabled with high support needs.
Prime Minister Helen Clark and Health Minister David Cunliffe released Labour’s election health policy on Monday and said it underlined the party’s... more >
MIGRATION: New Zealand’s annual migration net gain has fallen to its lowest level in nearly seven years.
Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) on Wednesday said that in the year to September, 86,700 people arrived in this country on a permanent and long term (PLT) basis, while 82,300 left.
The resulting net PLT gain of 4400 was down from 8300 in the September 2007 year, and the lowest... more >
MIGRATION: The population drift to Australia reached its highest level in at least 30 years last month.
Figures published today by Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) showed about 47,200 people left New Zealand for Australia on a permanent or long term (PLT) basis during the year to September. About 13,200 came the other way.
The resulting net PLT outflow to Australia of around 33,900 was the highest... more >
IMMIGRATION: The Smooth Group (www.mysmoothgroup.com) has been awarded the highest Level 3 Advocacy and Representation registration possible by the Office of Immigration Service Commissioners (OISC) meaning it will expand its service and can now represent applicants at visa appeal hearings.
"There are huge benefits for our clients," said Hanneke Oosthuizen, manager at The Smooth Group. "This means... more >
EXPAT SURVEY: New Zealanders remain confident about their country and strongly committed to its destiny even while living and working overseas, a survey of Kiwi expats in Europe has found.
"I want to experience and travel the world before coming home to settle down"; "I am planning to return [to New Zealand] and build a business there," were typical comments received in the survey... more >
The Royal New Zealand Navy is an innovative and dynamic organisation that makes a significant contribution, both in New Zealand and globally. Our maritime capability is delivered through our ships and our people and the ‘right’ people are the most important element of this capability. Everyone has the opportunity to contribute to making the Navy a world class organisation and our culture... more >
The most important thing to remember when submitting your application for residence or work visas in New Zealand is to check and double check that you have submitted all of the required documents with your application.
Apart from your passport and photographs we recommend that you submit certified copies of most documents. Application forms for the various categories specify which documents... more >
The Kinloch Club® is home to New Zealand’s only golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus. That’s something special. Jack Nicklaus is... 
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