Previous Cabinet decisions on the Immigration Act review

In March 2005 Cabinet directed the Department of Labour (the Department) to begin a fundamental review of the 1987 Act [CAB Min (05) 10/4 refers]. In May 2005 Cabinet agreed to terms of reference for the review [CAB Min (05) 18/7 refers]. Cabinet agreed that the objectives of the review were to:

• ensure New Zealand's interests are protected and advanced
• ensure compliance with international obligations, and
• establish fair, firm, and fast decision-making processes.

In April 2006, Cabinet agreed to release a discussion paper, Immigration Act Review: Discussion paper, for public consultation [CAB Min (06) 11/13 refers]. Cabinet directed the Department to report back with proposals for change in October 2006, with the intention of introducing a Bill to Parliament in April 2007.

Public consultation

The public discussion paper was released in April 2006. Officials held public meetings in May and June 2006 to outline the proposals, which were attended by more than 650 people. The Department received 3,985 written submissions in response to this paper, of which 360 were unique. Submissions were received from a wide range of individuals and organisations including employer organisations, law societies, refugee and migrant groups and communities, immigration consultants, carriers, government agencies, and education providers.

All submissions received through the public process have been considered in preparing this paper and a detailed summary of submissions has been prepared for public release. Specific comments made by submitters are discussed in the attached background paper in context with the relevant proposals.[1]

The Immigration Change Programme

The Immigration Act review is part of the broader Immigration Change Programme focusing on skills, security and settlement. The programme aims to improve the immigration system to ensure that:

• New Zealand has the skills, talent and labour it needs, now and in the future
• New Zealanders are confident of the security of our border, and
• migrants and refugees settle well and integrate into communities.

The three interlocking components of the Immigration Change Programme are:

• developing a strong legislative foundation
• repositioning the policy framework, and
• implementing a new business model for service delivery.

The change programme as a whole will ensure that we have a modern immigration system, fit for the globally competitive environment of the 21st century. It will enable New Zealand to facilitate high-value, low-risk customers and effectively protect the border. Taken together, the change programme will further the government's goals of economic transformation, strong national identity, and security and opportunities for families.

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