STATEMENT OF FORECAST SERVICE PERFORMANCE FOR 2006/2007

VOTE IMMIGRATION

Output class: Services to increase the capacity of New Zealand through immigration

Scope

Services in this output class are aimed at increasing New Zealand’s capacity for prosperity by growing the number of people coming to New Zealand, on either a permanent or a temporary basis, who are able to contribute to our economy and our society.

The globalisation of labour markets and the increased mobility of skills and people worldwide require New Zealand, as a small and distant country, to strategically connect in attracting talent to build a world class productive workforce. Access to global talent is crucial if New Zealand is to attract and retain people with the right skills to achieve the goal of economic transformation. New Zealand’s prosperity is also enhanced by people coming to New Zealand as tourists, students and temporary workers. At the same time, there is a need for protection of our border to ensure security and safety. New Zealanders need to have confidence that we have the ability to keep out those people we do not want, while attracting and retaining people with the skills and talent we require to increase New Zealand’s economic growth and prosperity. This output class enables these things to occur.

Contribution to the long-term goals

These services contribute to two of the Department’s long-term goals:

Our place in the world: New Zealand will prosper through its connections with the rest of the world.

Our workforce: The skills of our workers will ensure New Zealand enterprises are leaders internationally.

Contribution to the medium-term priorities

These services contribute to supporting New Zealand’s prosperity through:

an immigration programme that adds to the richness of our society
border security arrangements that manage risk.

They also influence the supply of skilled labour by:

better targeting the immigration programme.

Activities

We do this in three main ways:

Advising government on immigration and workforce policy.
Increasing the size and quality of New Zealand’s workforce to support economic growth, by facilitating quality people coming to New Zealand to meet our labour market needs and by delivering a fair and effective immigration process.
Facilitating travel and managing risk as people move in and out of New Zealand, so that New Zealanders are confident of the security of the border.

The activities, performance measures and forecast standards for each of these three activity groups are set out below.

Advising government on immigration and workforce policy

Advice is aimed at ensuring policy and legislation fits with and drives the achievement of New Zealand’s workforce goals, which include skilled migration to increase capacity. By ensuring policy development is based on information and analysis of national and international workforce trends, we provide continually improving frameworks for decision-making, resulting in better outcomes for New Zealand. The global immigration environment is changing, presenting opportunities and challenges. Some of the key drivers of change are the increasing circulation of people within a globalised world; increasing competition from existing and new competitor countries for talent and skills, in the face of ageing populations and falling fertility; a more diverse population as an outcome of immigration; and increased risks requiring better border management. To reposition the immigration system to face these challenges requires a strong legislative foundation and a repositioned and sound, future-focused policy framework.

The key activities are:

advising on delivering positive economic advantages for New Zealand through immigration
advising on immigration legislation, regulation and policy that enhances New Zealand’s workforce
advising on policy settings to attract and retain skilled migrants
developing policies and strategies to encourage skilled New Zealanders working offshore to return here
research and data collection to provide high-quality evidence-based policy advice on immigration and the workforce
research and evaluation about migrant labour market participation, migration trends and statistics
research and evaluation to determine the success of interventions and their impact on the business sector and the economy
providing ministerial servicing and advice.

Performance measures	Forecast standards
The Minister of Immigration is satisfied with the quality of the Department’s policy advice. Appendix 1 sets out the quality standards for policy advice.	Meet standard
The Minister of Immigration is satisfied with the quality of the Department’s ministerial servicing.	Meet standard
The policy development process and resultant advice provided is assessed as high quality through external and internal review of projects.	Meet standard
Policy advice and ministerial servicing will be delivered as agreed with the Minister of Immigration and as detailed in the Vote: Immigration Output Plan.	Meet standard

Increasing the size and quality of New Zealand’s workforce to support economic growth

By facilitating people who can meet our labour market needs to come to New Zealand, and delivering a fair and effective immigration process, we aim to increase the supply of skilled labour. With an increasing international demand for skilled labour, New Zealand must work hard to attract suitably skilled people in the short term, and retain them in the long term. Skill and labour shortages are a major issue for many New Zealand businesses, and we aim to meet those workforce shortages by both temporary and permanent migration. Business migration provides business expertise and investment capital to contribute to economic growth. Visitors and students contribute to the growth of New Zealand’s tourism and international education industries, which in turn support economic growth. This work is directed by the annual immigration programme.

As we work to increase the size and quality of New Zealand’s workforce, we are undertaking an immigration change programme focused on skills, security and settlement. The new business model involves a key change in where immigration decisions are made. The existing model of decentralised decision-making, with many decisions made offshore by non-New Zealanders, will change so that decisions are made onshore by New Zealanders. The new model also changes the way in which services are delivered. This includes an information system, strongly linked to intelligence information, which assists decision-makers to make better judgements. It will enable New Zealand to facilitate the entry of high-value, low-risk people, thus increasing the size of the New Zealand workforce with positive economic and social benefits.

The key activities are:

bringing in skilled migrants to increase New Zealand’s workforce capacity
meeting New Zealand’s acute labour needs through temporary immigration
facilitating student and visitor entries to support New Zealand’s tourism and education industries
bringing in investment capital and entrepreneurial capacity through business migration
encouraging skilled expatriates to return to New Zealand
facilitating family reunification for migrants
providing ministerial servicing and advice.

Performance measures	Forecast standards
Percentage of people approved residence under the skilled stream overseas in the 2005/06 year that take up residence in New Zealand by 30 June 2007.	95%
Percentage of skilled migrant principal applicants who have jobs or job offers.	60%
Percentage of skilled migrant principal applicants in employment within six months of arrival, or, if onshore, from time of approval.	75%
Minimum percentage of migrant approvals under the business/skilled stream.	60%
Percentage of businesses established under the Long-Term Business Category operating according to their business plan at the end of the nine-month renewal period.	75%
Proportion of work permits and talent visa granted in known skill shortage areas.	Greater than 2005/06
Report on initiatives undertaken to build and maintain positive relationships with educational institutions and tourism bodies.	Report provided quarterly
Percentage of customers satisfied with the quality of the Department’s service.	Survey reported annually
Expected number of temporary visa and permit decisions.	444,000
Number of employers accredited and corresponding talent visas issued will be monitored: • Employers accredited. • Talent visas issued.	Numbers reported quarterly
Number of expected residence decisions (by stream).	24,975
Number of Expressions of Interest received.	15,755
The number of Expressions of Interest decided.	13,090
The number of Invitations to Apply issued will be monitored.	Numbers reported quarterly
Number of Skilled Migrant Category decisions.	12,088
Percentage of visa and permit decisions decided in accordance with critical elements of government policy.	95%
Number of Removal Review authority appeals received and processed.	375-400
Number of Residence Review Board appeals received and processed.	350-375
Numbers of ministerial appeals reducing i.e. the number of appeals referred to the Minister are less than in 2005/06.	3,000-4,000
Removal Review Authority members’ satisfaction with the quality of the Department’s services. (Scale 1-5)	> 3.75
Residence Review Board members’ satisfaction with the quality of the Department’s services. (Scale 1-5)	> 3.75

Facilitating travel and managing risk as people move in and out of New Zealand, so that New Zealanders are confident of the security of the border

In facilitating travel into New Zealand, we need to make the entry of people with a legal right to be here as smooth and fast as possible. In managing risk, we need to ensure that people with no legal right to be in our country are denied entry. This balance between facilitating travel and managing risk is aided by good decision-making based on excellent verified information, and cooperation with other New Zealand government and international agencies. Participation in regional and international security groups further develops our knowledge and processes in achieving this balance, and the use of technology and international agreements enables us to prevent the boarding and arrival of people who pose security risks or have inadequate documentation. Detecting and removing people in New Zealand who no longer have legal status, and detection of people who may have entered illegally, is enhanced by increased investigation of immigration fraud and improved detection of fraudulent documentation.

The key activities are:

advising on border facilitation and security issues
maintaining and continually developing border security and facilitation systems
authenticating migrants
encouraging and, where required, enforcing compliance with immigration law
contributing to, and influencing, national and international security initiatives and intelligence
expanding and strengthening our reach through information-sharing alliances
strengthening and supporting immigration services in the Pacific
providing ministerial servicing and advice.

Performance measures	Forecast standards
Number of migrants taking up emergency income support benefits within two years of arrival.	Report annually
Report on initiatives undertaken to manage risks in respect of border security and non-compliance with immigration requirements.	Report annually
Report on initiatives undertaken to facilitate entry of persons with legal right to enter New Zealand.	Report annually
Level and composition of the overstayer population and the rate of overstaying against overall arrivals.	Half-yearly report
Percentage reduction compared to the previous year in the number of undocumented passengers arriving in New Zealand.	10%
Percentage of new failed refugee claimants who depart or are removed during the year.	50%
Percentage of enforcement activities conducted in accordance with critical elements of government policy.	95%
Detection and removal due to a data match with the Department of Corrections.	Report annually
The number of investigations and removals, deportations, section 35A permits and voluntary departures.	1,600-1,800
The number of: • failed refugee claimants removed • non-genuine refugee cancellations • detentions • open and secure accommodations • community based accommodations • prosecutions • temporary and resident revocations • deportations • compliance related employers site visits • court proceedings (cases received) • declined boarding requests under APP • interdiction programme • persons refused entry at border.	Numbers reported quarterly

COSTS

$000 (FIGURES ARE GST EXCLUSIVE)	Estimated Actuals for Year ending 30 June 2006	Forecast for Year ending 30 June 2007
Revenue:
Crown	56,941	50,469
Department	974	1,076
Other	85,529	88,428
Total Revenue	143,444	139,973
Total Expenses	142,973	139,924

Output class: Services to position New Zealand as an international citizen with immigration-related interests and obligations

Scope

Services in this output class are aimed at enhancing settlement of migrants and refugees; meeting our international obligations, particularly to Pacific Island countries and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR); and promoting New Zealand’s immigration and related security interests by building relationships with multilateral organisations and other nations.

Contribution to the long-term goals

These services contribute to the Department’s long-term goal:

Our place in the world: New Zealand will prosper through its connections with the rest of the world.

Contribution to the medium-term priorities

These services contribute to supporting New Zealand’s prosperity through:

making migrants feel welcome
building relationships and partnering with other nations
support for Pacific nations.

Activities

We do this in two main ways:

Providing services to enhance settlement and fulfil international obligations.
Pursuing New Zealand’s international immigration and related security interests.

The activities, performance measures and forecast standards for these two activity groups are set out below.

Providing services to enhance settlement and fulfil international obligations

Migrants’ ability to participate in the workforce and in New Zealand society requires them to be well settled within a supportive environment. Activities which support and enhance settlement occur across government agencies. The Department of Labour is responsible for facilitating these responsive services to help migrants and refugees settle well and integrate into communities. The Department is also responsible for the provision of appropriate information to assist settlement. This activity is outlined in the New Zealand Settlement Strategy.

Fulfilling New Zealand’s international obligations is an essential aspect of being a good international citizen, and includes providing a safe haven for refugees and responding to humanitarian crises. Refugees mandated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) are provided with protection and resettlement services. We also provide safe haven and settlement support where appropriate to spontaneous asylum seekers during the determination process. Provision of a fair and effective immigration process includes the right of appeal, and services to support the Refugee Status Appeals Authority.

New Zealand has a specific focus on supporting Pacific nations, and the Department links with Pacific nations regarding immigration, workforce and security issues. The Samoan Quota and the Pacific Access Category are components of the international stream of the annual immigration programme.

The key activities are:

implementing the New Zealand Settlement Strategy
providing appropriate information to potential migrants offshore and new migrants onshore to support settlement
coordinating with other government departments and agencies
receiving and resettling UNHCR mandated refugees and determining claims for asylum
providing support services to the Refugee Status Appeals Authority
contributing to and influencing international initiatives to resolve refugee issues
responding to, and maintaining, our preparedness to respond to humanitarian crises
enhancing bilateral relationships between New Zealand and Pacific nations through the Samoan Quota and the Pacific Access Category
identifying and responding to Pacific immigration and settlement issues
identifying and responding to Pacific security issues.

Performance measures	Forecast standards
Appropriate and coordinated information services are provided to potential migrants (offshore) and new migrants (onshore).	Survey annually
Services facilitating settlement of migrants, refugees and their families will be effective and their key achievements will be reported six-monthly.	Half-yearly report
The progress of the whole-of-government approach to implementing the New Zealand Settlement Strategy is reported to the Minister of Immigration six monthly.	Half-yearly report
Participating agencies assess as satisfactory the Department’s services provided through the Settlement Secretariat annually.	Annual evaluation report
Settlement Support New Zealand initiative will undergo a full evaluation with a report due on 30 June 2007.	Report provided
The Samoan Quota and Pacific Access Category components of the Immigration Programme will be filled.	Quota filled
International standards relating to refugee processing, assessment and detention procedures will be met as assessed annually by the UNHCR.	Standard met
Consultation on the composition of the Refugee Quota that takes into account settlement factors and infrastructure impacts will be completed and reported annually.	Report provided
A quarterly survey of a sample group of refugees to confirm the appropriateness of security arrangements and support provided. (Scale 1-5)	> 3.75
Quarterly reports on Department activities that contribute to developing international protection systems and resolving refugee issues in the region.	Reports provided
The number of UNHCR-mandated refugees travelling to New Zealand provided with initial settlement services.	675-825
The average age of undecided refugee status claims on hand.	20 weeks
Refugee Status Appeals Authority members’ satisfaction with the quality of the Department’s services. (Scale 1-5)	> 3.75
Number of required determinations of refugee status claims.	500
Number of new Refugee Status Appeals Authority appeals and cancellations received and processed.	250-275
Annual report on activities in response to international humanitarian crises in the region.	Report provided
The average age of cases on hand with the Refugee Status Appeals Authority will be monitored.	Reported quarterly

Pursuing New Zealand’s international immigration and related security interests

By building relationships with multilateral organisations and other nations, New Zealand enhances its ability to not only provide immigration and border security, but also to contribute to New Zealand’s international presence and influence. The Department represents New Zealand’s immigration-related interests offshore, alongside other relevant government departments. While there are clear systems for the international flow of goods and capital, this is not the case for people flows, which are becoming increasingly complex. In 2005, there were nearly 200 million migrants globally, compared with 82 million in 1970. Globally, there is a tendency towards temporary or even circular migration, instead of permanent. At the same time, there is an enhanced focus on security in the wake of international terrorism, with the balance between security and facilitation becoming a key issue for successful migration management. The activities we undertake internationally not only benefit New Zealand by increasing understanding and cooperation in migration management, but also enable us to build key relationships with other countries, providing long-term benefits for both parties in terms of sustainability and security.

The key activities are:

participating in multilateral security and law and order initiatives to advance New Zealand’s immigration-related interests
participating in the negotiation of bilateral trade agreements and closer economic partnerships to ensure the movement of labour accords with New Zealand’s interests and immigration legislation
coordinating with other government departments and agencies.

Performance measures	Forecast standards
The Minister of Immigration is satisfied with the quality of the Department’s policy advice. Appendix 1 sets out the quality standard for policy advice.	Meet standard
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.	Reports provided

COSTS

$000 (FIGURES ARE GST EXCLUSIVE)	Estimated Actuals for Year ending 30 June 2006	Forecast for Year ending 30 June 2007
Revenue:
Crown	17,071	15,732
Department	1,006	1,006
Other	762	762
Total Revenue	18,839	17,500
Total Expenses	17,825	17,487