Media releases
Here’s a list of media releases that talk about immigration issues in the news.
Couple accused of human trafficking to appear in court
Couple accused of human trafficking to appear in court
Friday, 8 February 2019
A married Bangladeshi couple who are New Zealand citizens, will appear before the Auckland District Court next Monday, 11 February 2019 on charges of human trafficking, exploitation and other immigration related charges.
2017/18 Year at the Border report published
2017/18 Year at the Border report published
Friday, 11 January 2019
Immigration New Zealand’s work at the border is showcased in the latest annual Year at the Border report.
Man arrested for human trafficking and slavery following joint INZ/Police investigation
Man arrested for human trafficking and slavery following joint INZ/Police investigation
Monday, 17 December 2018
A 64-year-old man has been arrested and charged with human trafficking and slavery, following a lengthy investigation by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) and NZ Police.
Migrant exploitation sentences upheld in Court of Appeal
Migrant exploitation sentences upheld in Court of Appeal
Tuesday, 13 November 2018
The sentencing of dual Filipino/New Zealand citizen restauranteurs who exploited migrants has been upheld in the Court of Appeal.
Departure cards to be removed 5 November
Departure cards to be removed 5 November
Friday, 2 November 2018
Departure cards will be removed from the New Zealand border on 5 November 2018 and replaced by smarter electronic systems.
Airline prosecuted for boarding unauthorised passenger
Airline prosecuted for boarding unauthorised passenger
Wednesday, 31 October 2018
A Malaysian-based airline has been prosecuted and fined $9,000 for allowing a passenger to board a flight to New Zealand - despite being told by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) not to do so.
Lawyer connected to human trafficker sentenced for migrant exploitation
Lawyer connected to human trafficker sentenced for migrant exploitation
Tuesday, 25 September 2018
A lawyer has been sentenced for providing services that supported migrant exploitation by Faroz Ali, the first person convicted of human trafficking in New Zealand history.
Indian national sentenced for exploiting migrant workers
Indian national sentenced for exploiting migrant workers
Monday, 17 September 2018
An Indian national New Zealand citizen has been convicted for exploiting Indian workers he employed.
Hastings employer sentenced for employing an illegal worker
Hastings employer sentenced for employing an illegal worker
Thursday, 13 September 2018
A takeaway and pizza delivery store and its former owner have been sentenced for unlawfully employing a worker and aiding a person to breach visa conditions.
Understanding sex industry rights and legal obligations
Understanding sex industry rights and legal obligations
Saturday, 1 September 2018
Immigration New Zealand is taking a proactive approach to better understanding issues within the sex industry as part of wider work on exploitation.
Fijian arrest linked to NZ's human trafficking convictions
Fijian arrest linked to NZ's human trafficking convictions
Monday, 20 August 2018
A 31 year old female Fijian citizen has been arrested and charged by the Fiji Police with serious crimes including human trafficking as a result of a joint Immigration New Zealand (INZ) and Fijian Police investigation.
Christchurch reinstated as refugee settlement location
Christchurch reinstated as refugee settlement location
Saturday, 18 August 2018
Christchurch has been reinstated as a settlement location for quota refugees. The city was a settlement location up until the earthquake in 2010.
RSE scheme better for business and New Zealand workers
RSE scheme better for business and New Zealand workers
Thursday, 16 August 2018
The tenth annual survey of RSE employers is another win for the New Zealand horticulture and viticulture industries – and New Zealanders.
Community organisations to support sponsored refugees who arrive in New Zealand this week
Community organisations to support sponsored refugees who arrive in New Zealand this week
Friday, 6 July 2018
New Zealand will extend a warm Kiwi welcome to 21 sponsored refugees, made up of five families, who arrive this week under a new settlement approach.
2018 Samoan Quota Ballot drawn today
2018 Samoan Quota Ballot drawn today
Friday, 29 June 2018
The New Zealand Samoan Quota is drawn today on 29 June 2018.
Christchurch employer sentenced for employing an illegal worker
Christchurch employer sentenced for employing an illegal worker
Tuesday, 13 June 2018
A Christchurch liquor store and its owner have been sentenced for employing an unlawful Indian migrant for three and a half years.
Expansion of online visas
Expansion of online visas
Monday, 28 May 2018
Partners and dependent children can now apply for visas online after the latest upgrade to Immigration Online.
Wellington businesses supporting skilled migrants showcased at Gold Awards
Wellington businesses supporting skilled migrants showcased at Gold Awards
Thursday, 24 May 2018
Three Wellington businesses – Catalyst IT, Village at the Park and Geeves Scaffolding- were named as recipients of the Immigration Gold Showcase at last night’s Wellington Gold Awards.
Sentence for wife of refugee fraud criminal
Sentence for wife of refugee fraud criminal
Thursday, 24 May 2018
A Fijian national has been sentenced after earlier pleading guilty to visa fraud associated with her husband, who obtained residence after making up a story that his family was massacred by a group of Bangladeshi.
Barrister linked to New Zealand’s first human trafficking convictions found guilty of fraud
Barrister linked to New Zealand’s first human trafficking convictions found guilty of fraud
Monday, April 30 2018
A Barrister was convicted for his role of knowingly providing false and misleading information to Immigration New Zealand (INZ).
2018 Pacific Quota registrations open
2018 Pacific Quota registrations open
Tuesday, 27 March 2018
Citizens of Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Fiji are encouraged to register for this year’s ballot under the Samoan Quota and Pacific Access Category, which takes place between 3 and 30 April.
INZ strengthening verification processes in battle against fraud
INZ strengthening verification processes in battle against fraud
Thursday, 15 March 2018
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is boosting its risk and verification processes in the ongoing battle against visa fraud.
Families and groups of visitors can now apply for New Zealand visas
Families and groups of visitors can now apply for New Zealand visas
Monday, 5 March 2018
Families and visitors travelling together to New Zealand can now apply for visas online after the latest upgrade to Immigration Online.
54 people deported as part of Immigration New Zealand operation
54 people deported as part of Immigration New Zealand operation
Tuesday, 27 February 2018
A total of 54 people have been deported from New Zealand as part of an Immigration New Zealand (INZ) operation across Auckland to tackle illegal workers, identity fraud and people smuggling in the construction industry.
Fijian resident sentenced for refugee fraud
Fijian resident sentenced for refugee fraud
Monday, 12 February 2018
A Fijian national who made up a story that he arrived in New Zealand as a stowaway after his entire family were massacred by a group of Bangladeshi has been sentenced on a representative fraud charge.
Restaurateurs sentenced in exploitation case
Restaurateurs sentenced in exploitation case
Thursday, 8 February 2018
A couple and their Auckland-based restaurant have been sentenced on charges of exploitation and providing false or misleading information relating to five Filipino employees they sponsored to come to New Zealand.
Immigration changes will result in more staff in New Zealand
Immigration changes will result in more staff in New Zealand
Updated Monday, 18 December 2017
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced that more jobs will be created in New Zealand as a result of a decision to bring home much of the high-risk, high-value processing of visas currently done overseas.
Setting a standard for a welcoming community
Setting a standard for a welcoming community
Tuesday, 12 December 2017
Around the world Kiwis are renowned for being friendly, hospitable and inclusive – qualities highlighted in a new two-year pilot programme which launched its Welcoming Communities Standard (the standard) today.
People trafficking charges
People trafficking charges
Thursday, 16 November 2017
People trafficking charges have been brought by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) against a Bangladeshi couple who are New Zealand citizens.
Airline fined over boarding unauthorised passenger
Airline fined over boarding unauthorised passenger
Thursday, 16 November 2017
An airline has been prosecuted for allowing a passenger to board a flight to New Zealand - despite being told by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) not to do so.
Pastor sentenced over lying to Immigration New Zealand
Pastor sentenced over lying to Immigration New Zealand
Wednesday, 8 November 2017
A dual Samoan New Zealand pastor and his church have been sentenced on charges relating to lying to Immigration New Zealand (INZ) to sponsor a Samoan police officer who was offered work as a youth pastor even though they had no money to pay him.
Immigration New Zealand encourages plain English in new award
Immigration New Zealand encourages plain English in new award
Wednesday, 26 July 2017
Immigration New Zealand will be sponsoring this year’s Best Plain English Turnaround Award as part of the WriteMark Plain English Awards.
Innovative RSE scheme 10 years young
Innovative RSE scheme 10 years young
Tuesday, 4 July 2017
Immigration New Zealand is joining with Pacific leaders and horticulture and viticulture industry leaders to celebrate 10 years of the innovative and world-leading Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.
New Zealand resident sentenced
New Zealand resident sentenced
Tuesday, 20 June 2017
A New Zealand permanent resident who tried to fraudulently bring a child into New Zealand has been sentenced for providing false and misleading documents to Immigration New Zealand.
2016 Pacific quota registrations open
2016 Pacific quota registrations open
Wednesday, 25 May 2016
Citizens of Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Fiji are encouraged to register for this year’s ballot under the Samoan Quota and Pacific Access Category between 1 and 30 April 2015.
Invercargill chosen as new refugee settlement location
Invercargill chosen as new refugee settlement location
Monday, 1 May 2017
Invercargill has been selected as a new refugee settlement location following a whole of Government assessment.
Sentence over work visa scam
Sentence over work visa scam
Tuesday, 4 April 2017
A dual Filipino / New Zealand national has been sentenced after pleading guilty to 284 charges involving multiple fraudulent work visa applications submitted by Filipinos seeking work in the New Zealand dairy industry.
2017 Pacific Quota registrations open
2017 Pacific Quota registrations open
Tuesday, 21 March 2017
Citizens of Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Fiji are encouraged to register for this year’s ballot under the Samoan Quota and Pacific Access Category, which takes place between 3 and 28 April.
Sentence in people trafficking case
Sentence in people trafficking case
Thursday, 2 February 2017
A second defendant in a people trafficking case has been sentenced at the High Court in Tauranga.
Fijian sentenced on immigration fraud charges
Fijian sentenced on immigration fraud charges
Tuesday, 31 January 2017
A Fijian national who failed to obtain a visa to come to New Zealand on multiple occasions has been sentenced after fraudulently obtaining a passport using a false identity and entering New Zealand under the false identity.
Year at the Border report published
Year at the Border report published
Wednesday, 18 January 2017
The work of Immigration New Zealand’s Border Operations team is showcased in the latest Year at the Border annual report, which features some fascinating facts and figures as well as a number of case studies.
Filipino sentenced in exploitation case
Filipino sentenced in exploitation case
Thursday, 23 December 2016
A Filipino national and her company have been sentenced on nine charges relating to the exploitation of five migrant workers at their Japanese sushi restaurants in Auckland.
Man jailed over immigration fraud
Man jailed over immigration fraud
Thursday, 22 December 2016
A Fijian national working as a chef in New Zealand has been sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment for immigration fraud.
First convicted people trafficker sentenced
First convicted people trafficker sentenced
Thursday, 15 December 2016
The first person to be convicted of people trafficking in New Zealand has been sentenced at the High Court in Auckland to a total of nine years and six months in jail and ordered to pay a total of $28,167 reparation to his victims.
Third person involved in Masala case sentenced on immigration charge
Third person involved in Masala case sentenced on immigration charge
Friday, 28 October 2016
A third person involved in the company running the Auckland Indian restaurant chain Masala has today been sentenced on a charge related to the exploitation of migrant workers.
Company officials sentenced on migrant exploitation charges
Company officials sentenced on migrant exploitation charges
Friday, 16 October 2015
Two people involved in the management of the Auckland Indian restaurant chain Masala have been sentenced at the Auckland District Court this morning on charges related to the exploitation of migrant workers.
INZ investigation over Filipino dairy workers
INZ investigation over Filipino dairy workers
Tuesday, 29 September 2015
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) can confirm that it is investigating multiple work visa applications involving Filipino dairy workers.
Serial immigration fraudster jailed
Serial immigration fraudster jailed
Monday, 1 August 2016
A Fijian man has been sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment for what a judge described as a lifetime of immigration fraud.
Man faces 16 people trafficking charges
Man faces 16 people trafficking charges
Friday, 10 July 2015
A Fijian national has appeared at the Manukau District Court today on 16 charges of people trafficking under the Crimes Act 1961, and 56 other charges under the Immigration Act 2009.
Woman jailed over immigration fraud
Woman jailed over immigration fraud
Wednesday, 15 June 2016
A Chinese woman has been sentenced to 26 months’ imprisonment for immigration fraud.
Defendants pay a high price for immigration fraud
Defendants pay a high price for immigration fraud
Friday, 29 January 2016
Two men have been sentenced today at the High Court in Nelson for their role in organising false refugee claims.
27 months’ imprisonment for immigration offences
27 months’ imprisonment for immigration offences
Tuesday, 14 April 2015
An Auckland woman has been sentenced in Auckland District Court this morning to a total of 27 months’ imprisonment after being found guilty of five offences under the Immigration Act 2009.