Performance standard

Performance to 30 June 2006

The Minister of Immigration is satisfied with the quality of the Department’s policy advice. The Appendix to this part of the Annual Report sets out the quality standards for policy advice.

A survey of the Minister of Immigration was undertaken for the period July to December 2005. For the quality of policy advice given by the Department, the Minister gave an average rating of 2.80 (on a scale of 1 to 5).
The overall average rating given by the Minister was 2.98. This rating covered policy advice, ministerial servicing and key departmental activity.

Quarterly reports on participation and assistance given to others to participate in multilateral initiatives to promote New Zealand’s trade, security and law and order immigration-related interests.

The Department attended the International Organisation for Migration Annual Conference where the focus was on migration policy coherence. The debates covered the extent to which this was possible at a national, regional and international level, as well as the linkages between migration and development. The issues of facilitation versus security and labour migration were also themes at the conference.
The Department attended the Border Control Technology Summit 2 Conference, where a presentation was given on the Border Security Strategic Review. It highlighted the Department’s work, including Advanced Passenger Processing, the Regional Movement Alert List, identity management and the Immigration Profiling Group.
The Department also attended the Pacific Immigration Directors’ Conference Management Board inaugural meeting, which will ensure implementation of the Pacific Immigration Directors’ Conference strategic review and work programme. Planning is underway for the 10th Pacific Immigration Directors’ Conference to be held in Wellington in October 2006.
The Department attended various UN High Commissioner for Refugee meetings and New Zealand will take over the Chair of the Resettlement Working Group from July 2006.
During November 2005, the Joint Border Security Enhancement Pilot project team went to Tonga to advise Tongan officials and provide tools, systems and training in risk assessment, verification and field assessments. This was part of a Pacific Immigration Directors’ Conference initiative, from the strategic review in 2004. The training delivered to Tonga Immigration was evaluated, with very positive feedback and results.
Engagement in the Bali Process resulted in work on a National Plan of Action to combat people trafficking. The Department coordinated a successful first interagency workshop on a whole-of-Government approach to trafficking, in March 2006.

Performance standard

Performance to 30 June 2006

Services facilitating settlement of migrants will be effective and their type, relevance and quality will be reported on quarterly.

The Department managed contracts for settlement programmes, including:
• orientation and information services provided by the Auckland Regional Migrant Resource Centre, Chinese New Settlers Society, Auckland Citizens Advice Bureaux, Pasefika Education and Employment Training Organisation, Refugee and Migrant Centre Christchurch, Refugee Resettlement Services and Relationship Services
• employment services provided by the Auckland and Canterbury Chambers of Commerce.
The services provided included employment workshops and seminars, orientation courses, employment expos, counselling services, placing new migrants into employment and recruitment support to employers.
All settlement programmes achieved the contracted outputs and delivered services to improve settlement outcomes for migrants, refugees and their families.
Auckland Regional Settlement Strategy
This year saw the development of the Auckland Regional Settlement Strategy, a community-based project jointly led by the Department and Manukau City Council. The strategy was agreed to by central and local government agencies and endorsed by Auckland’s local councils. An Auckland Regional Settlement Strategy document was developed, with ten key goal areas including 90 opportunities recommended to improve settlement outcomes. A paper on governance arrangements to implement the Strategy was prepared.
Settlement Support New Zealand
Planning for the next nine areas was completed and approved by the Inter-agency Reference Group.

Participating agencies assess as satisfactory the Department’s services provided through the Settlement Secretariat.

An evaluation of the National Settlement Structure and Secretariat was carried out by participating agencies. It highlighted the improvements achieved in coordinating and sharing information between key stakeholders and commended the Secretariat for its service.

The Samoan Quota and Pacific Access Category components of the Immigration Programme will be filled.

1,330 people were approved under the Samoan Quota. Of those approved, 435 were approved under the Samoan Quota Residual Places Policy.
1,114 people were approved under the Pacific Access Category. Of those approved, 694 were approved under the Pacific Access Category Residual Places Policy.
The number of residence places available each year for applicants (and their partners and families) is 1,100 for Samoa, 250 each for Tonga and Fiji, and 75 each for Kiribati and Tuvalu. An extra 500 places were allocated for the Residual Places Policy.
The Department supported New Zealand employers who visited Pacific countries to interview potential staff and offer employment. The Department also provided information seminars and one-on-one case management to people who were successful in the ballots.

International standards will be met relating to refugee processing, assessment, and detention procedures, as assessed annually by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees reviewed 28 decisions made by the Refugee Status Branch, with 22 meeting UN High Commissioner for Refugees’ criteria. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees had concerns about the remaining six, which related mainly to a difference in UN High Commissioner for Refugees and New Zealand refugee jurisprudence. All UN High Commissioner for Refugees’ comments were reviewed, but no changes were deemed necessary.

Consultation on the composition of the refugee quota that takes into account settlement factors and infrastructure impacts will be completed and reported on annually.

Consultation on the composition of the 2006/07 refugee quota was undertaken with an emphasis on maximising positive settlement outcomes.
The composition of the quota was included on the agenda of the tripartite consultations, allowing dialogue with the non-governmental organisations and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. State services agencies such as Housing New Zealand, the Ministry of Education, the Auckland District Health Board, and Child, Youth, and Family attended the tripartite consultations to address infrastructure issues.
Written submissions were also considered from a variety of agencies, including refugee community groups and non-governmental organisations.
After feedback was received, the 2006/07 quota composition was agreed to and signed off in June.

A quarterly survey of a sample group of refugees to confirm the appropriateness of security arrangements and support provided (scale 1–5). Standard: 3.75.

The survey of Refugee Quota Branch customers resulted in a satisfaction rating of 4.54. The survey of Refugee Status Branch was sent to all approved refugee claimants and resulted in a satisfaction rating of 4.65, compared with a rating of 4.70 in 2004/05.

Quarterly reports on Department activities that contribute to developing international protection systems and resolving refugee issues in the region.

The Department was involved in a UN High Commissioner for Refugees project to loan staff to assist with the refugee determination process in Papua New Guinea. The project is aimed at building capacity and capability in partnership with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, based in the Asia/Pacific region. It is expected to last for 12–18 months, with a review after six months. The Refugee Status Branch Manager was seconded to Papua New Guinea for six months under the initiative.
Staff attended the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Executive Committee forum. It focussed on improvements to protection in the field as well as the new High Commissioner’s programme of reform within the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The plenary also debated the merits of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees taking a lead role in coordinating internally displaced persons.
Prior to refugee quota selection missions, Border Security staff met with Refugee Quota Branch staff to develop suitable risk assessment questions for potential quota applicants.
The Department also provided strategic input into the work being done to address a protracted refugee situation concerning Bhutanese refugees in Nepal. This included involvement in the working group and core group meetings to progress this work.

The number of UN High Commissioner for Refugees-mandated refugees travelling to New Zealand provided with initial settlement services. Standard: 675–825.

Six refugee quota intakes have taken place – in July, September and November 2005, and January, March and May 2006.
A total of 741 refugees have arrived in New Zealand and have been provided with resettlement services.

The average age of undecided refugee status claims on hand. Standard: 20 weeks.

As at 30 June 2006, the average age of undecided refugee claims on hand was two months and 29 days.

Refugee Status Appeals Authority members’ satisfaction with the quality of the Department’s services (scale 1–5). Standard: 3.75.

A survey of the Refugee Status Appeals Authority members returned an overall rating of 4.69 out of 5. This is similar to last year, when the rating was 4.70 out of 5.

Number of required determinations of refugee status claims. Estimate: 1,000.

In the year to date:
• 317 claims were received, lower than the 395 claims received in 2004/05
• 340 claims were determined.
As at 30 June 2006, there were 99 claims on hand, the lowest number for eleven years.

Number of new Refugee Status Appeals Authority appeals received. Estimate: 450.

During the year:
• 245 claims were received
• 462 appeals have been referred to members for decision
• 435 claims were finalised.
As at 30 June 2006, there were 165 claims on hand, substantially less than the 344 claims on hand at 30 June 2005.

Annual report on activities in response to international humanitarian crises in the region.

The Department was the lead agency for the Solomon Islands evacuation. In the event that an evacuation of Timor Leste was required, the Department would also have been the lead agency.
The Department continued to be well placed to respond to a crisis, through crisis management and business continuity planning.

The average age of cases on hand with the Refugee Status Appeals Authority.

As at 30 June 2006, the average age of cases on hand with the Refugee Status Appeals Authority was five months and 16 days, compared with 13 months and 18 days as at 30 June 2005.