25 Jul 2018

NZ to review Pacific migration

12:09 pm on 25 July 2018

New Zealand will review its approach to Pacific migration from next year.

Immigration policy towards the Pacific, including the quota system which is drawn by random ballot, has been criticised for being outdated and discriminatory.

Labour MP Iain Lees-Galloway

Labour MP Iain Lees-Galloway Photo: VNP / Phil Smith

Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway said New Zealand is expected to carry out a review over 2019 and 2020.

Over the 2016 to 2017 period, 1121 gained residence under the Samoan Quota scheme.

During the same period a further 655 gained residency from Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati and Fiji through the Pacific Access Category.

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