9 Jul 2012

Savings tipped from new Immigration IT system

5:31 am on 9 July 2012

Immigration New Zealand says a new information technology system will help it save more than $22 million per year.

The agency, which has been significantly affected by a drop in the number of people migrating to New Zealand, says the new IT system will speed up the processing of visa applications and allow applicants to do more online.

Business manager Steve McGill says the system will also allow Immigration NZ to easily increase or reduce its operations in overseas markets.

Mr McGill says the first part of the system, targeting international students, will be introduced in April next year.

The system is being phased in over four years.