Stories by Gill Bonnett
News
Interpreter in court over providing false refugee information to immigration
An interpreter spun a "web of lies" to cheat the immigration system through fabricating a series of asylum claims, a court has been told.
Thousands of family visitor visa applications went untouched for months
More than 3000 visa applications went untouched for up to three months after a systems upgrade failure.
Immigration process a 'bureaucratic nightmare' - Doctors stuck in residence limbo
Two senior hospital doctors who cannot get residence through the immigration Green List are now thinking twice about their move to New Zealand, saying the process is a nightmare. Audio
Govt looks at Treaty interest in immigration policy
The government says one of the fundamental immigration questions it has to address is what input Māori should have into policy.
Accidental comments suggest secrecy over immigration decision-making
Immigration lawyers say accidentally published comments suggest officials want to conceal information on the use of automated decision-making, algorithms and AI.
Concern over NZ Defence Force-trained extremists
The Defence Force has carried out 16 investigations into extremism among current and prospective personnel in the past two years - but can't say how many found proof.
Plans for 'deeper collaboration' and a touchless border for Five Eyes citizens
Theft of knowledge and know-how from universities and research institutes by foreign nationals is a growing concern, security experts warn.
Security check waits loom large for Chinese residence visa applicants
Migrants fear delays in national security checks are causing hold-ups to decisions on their fast-track residence visas.
Visa processing 'pain points' highlighted as applicants wait months
Immigration Minister Michael Wood has admitted "pain points" in the visa processing system as more than 35,000 visitors wait for visas.
Reopening of parent and skilled migrant visas met with criticism
Major immigration changes have received mixed reactions, with some pointing to a 'two-tier system' favouring the interests of business at the expense of workers' rights.
Immigration NZ $284m loss written off, visa levies hiked 279%
Another funding review is expected to look at how to overcome a further predicted deficit of $135m by the end of 2024.
Health ministers queried why nurses not on fast track residence list - document
Health Minister Andrew Little and Associate Health Minister Ayesha Verrall questioned why nurses could not be put on the fast track residence list, government papers show.
'My life is here': Parents on tenterhooks as govt reviews residence visas
Thousands of overseas-born parents and grandparents are waiting for news on if and when they can apply for residence.
Palmerston North woman extends welcome to new refugees
When Lorna Johnson was told the refugee sponsorship programme was being extended, she knew she wanted to get involved.
Over 30,000 people waiting for tourist visas
Thousands of travellers are waiting for a visa, as figures show only one in five requests were approved in the month after the border reopened.
Would-be citizens face widely variable wait times for processing
Thousands of New Zealand residents are waiting up to 18 months to get citizenship, while others take a quarter of that time.
One year on: Questions remain on anniversary of LynnMall attack
A year ago today seven shoppers were injured in a stabbing frenzy at LynnMall's supermarket. Gill Bonnett looks back at what drove Ahamed Samsudeen to carry out Aotearoa's second terrorist attack in…
'Incident management' team set up to pick up pace of visa processing
The immigration minister says visa processing is going very well and these teams periodically are brought in to increase performance but the National Party says it suggests something is wrong.
Lynnmall attack: A year on, ministers eye law change on deportation
The government is considering how it can change the law to deport people who pose a threat to national security.
No investigations into vape sales to underagers in Auckland - yet
Since the Vaping Regulatory Authority was set up in November 2020 it has issued only 11 infringement notices nationwide, carrying a fine of $500 each.
'Almost like a dagger to your heart': Plans to reunite split families shelved
Cabinet approved the plans a year ago but then decided against the move, briefing papers show.
'Painful separation': Couple's wait goes on as INZ assurance over visas fizzles
Families desperate to see their relatives say the border reopening has not brought an end to their wait.
21 work visas granted as employers struggle to get staff
Only 21 visas have been issued since accredited employer work applications opened more than five weeks ago and only two out of five businesses have reached the stage where a migrant can apply.
How Immigration helped Health Ministry to prioritise action on Covid rule-breakers
Health staff used a system designed for prioritising deportations when they were deciding whom to take action against for breaking Covid-19 rules.
DHBs not in 'targeted consultation' over Green List nursing question
The government never directly consulted with district health boards over whether it should offer international nurses the same "straight to residence" that migrant doctors will get.