Media Release

14 April 2009

Registrations for the 2009 Pacific Access Category (PAC) ballots are now open.

Eligible citizens of the PAC countries (Tonga, Kiribati, and Tuvalu) should get in early and lodge their properly completed registration form as soon as possible, but no later than 30th April 2009. 

Those considering the opportunity to register should make sure they do a few simple things to ensure their registration is acceptable, says Department of Labour Immigration New Zealand Acting Group Manager, Ross Grigg.

“We encourage citizens of the PAC nations to register but we also remind them to check if they meet all the necessary New Zealand Immigration requirements”, adds Mr Grigg.

Pacific people seeking residence in New Zealand under the Pacific Access Category should meet the standard criteria relating to factors such as age, health and absence of criminal convictions. Employment is an important consideration in terms of settlement, so a genuine job offer for full time work has been made a requirement of obtaining residence.

“With the low number of registrations received in the past from the people of Tuvalu and Kiribati, we make sure the level of communication is a priority for these PAC nations so they are fully aware of the processes and what is involved to register”, says Mr Grigg.

Those wanting to register for the ballot can obtain more information from the New Zealand Immigration Service website www.immigration.govt.nz around guidelines and requirements or by contacting nearest INZ branch to ensure all information required are included to avoid any disappointment.

Mr Grigg says that in the last three years, ballot places have been largely filled in both Samoa Quota and Pacific Access Category. However, some people selected in the ballot decide not to proceed with their application for residence, others fail to meet immigration health requirements, and some simply cannot obtain an acceptable offer of a genuine, permanent, full-time job.
Fully completed registrations must be received by Immigration New Zealand by 30 April or they cannot be accepted.  Registrations received after this date or not properly completed will be returned.

ENDS.