NATHAN GUY MP for Otaki

Changes to immigration family policies confirmed

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 10 May 2012 13:58:00 +1200

New immigration family policies will help New Zealand attract and retain skilled migrants, and ensure that their family members can settle well and are self-sufficient, says Immigration Minister Nathan Guy.

“We are making changes to give priority to migrants who can make a real contribution to New Zealand. Overall we expect these changes will eventually save the taxpayer around $40 million a year.

“There will be a new two-tier process for the parents of New Zealand citizens and residents who want to migrate here. Applications from parents who have higher income sponsors, or who bring a guaranteed income or funds, will be processed faster than other applications.

“Parents whose English is poor will need to pre-purchase tuition, and the period during which sponsors are required to meet certain obligations for their parents’ support will extend from five to 10 years.

“As a result of these policy changes, many skilled migrants who have residence here can sponsor their parents and will receive a quicker decision with less red tape.

“The Sibling and Adult Child Category for new migrants will close on 15 May, which will reduce the number of unskilled migrants who find it more difficult to get jobs and are more likely to end up on a benefit. Research has shown that only 66% of people who gain residence as siblings and adult children had a job after 18 months, despite a job offer being required for residence.”

The existing Parent category will close on 15 May and the new two tier category will be available from late July.

Further information on the changes is available here
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/general/generalinformation/news/familycategorychanges

Agreement signed to combat human trafficking in the Pacific

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 02 May 2012 10:17:00 +1200

The New Zealand and the United States governments have signed an agreement to do all they can to stop human trafficking in the Pacific.

The agreement was signed in Wellington by the Minister of Immigration, Nathan Guy, and the visiting Secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano.

Under the agreement the two countries have stated their intention to continue working together to detect, disrupt, dismantle and deter criminal enterprises which seek to profit from the exploitation of others in the Pacific region.

“As countries with a shared interest in the Pacific region, it is in our interest to protect all communities from falling victim to the horrific crime of trafficking in persons. We want to do everything we can to support the Pacific,” says Mr Guy.

The two governments have agreed to further develop Pacific Island regional partnerships and to enhance cooperation among enforcement agencies to target, disrupt, dismantle and deter criminal enterprises across international borders.

“We will work together to protect people in the Pacific so that they are better equipped to detect and identify victims of trafficking.

“We recognise that we need to strengthen support infrastructures in the Pacific so that countries are better equipped to rescue victims of trafficking and help them to recover. This agreement is an important step forward.”

Joint exercise to prepare for possible mass arrival

nospam@example.com (admin) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:23:00 +1200

A major exercise to test New Zealand’s preparations for a mass arrival of asylum seekers by boat is starting tomorrow, the Immigration Minister Nathan Guy has announced.

“The aim is to make sure New Zealand is fully prepared to respond to a mass arrival by sea of potentially illegal immigrants. We know that New Zealand has been a target in the past for people smugglers, and we need to be prepared for future attempts.

“It will start from first notification that a vessel is on the way, through to processing and accommodating these asylum seekers while their claims are determined.”

Exercise Barrier 2012 will take place over eight weeks, running until late June 2012.

The exercise will include several planning exercises and a simulated mass arrival at Devonport Naval Base in June.

The New Zealand Customs Service and Immigration New Zealand are the lead agencies for the exercise, given their responsibilities for New Zealand’s border security and immigration laws.

Other agencies involved include Defence, Police, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Education, Health, MAF, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Corrections and Social Development.

“A freighter with 500 asylum seekers was intercepted off the coast of Canada two years ago, so if they can get to Canada they can certainly get to New Zealand and we need to be prepared,” says Mr Guy.

“Agencies continually monitor the risk of a mass arrival and ensure plans to respond to such a threat are up to date. This exercise will help agencies test their planning at a practical level.

“Together with the new legislation we are introducing, this sends a strong message that queue jumpers and people smugglers won’t be tolerated,” says Mr Guy.

New measures to deter people smugglers announced

nospam@example.com (admin) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:20:00 +1200

Measures are being introduced to deter a mass arrival of potentially illegal migrants into New Zealand, Immigration Minister Nathan Guy has announced today.

“An amendment to the Immigration Act introduced into Parliament today contains strong measures to deter people smuggling, making New Zealand a less desirable target,” says Mr Guy.

“The amendments will enable a mass arrival to be detained under a group warrant, rather than under individual warrants as currently happens with asylum seekers.

“This means Immigration New Zealand will be able to focus on managing immediate risks, rather than being tied up in paperwork and clogging up the courts.

“A mass arrival would likely include people whose identities are unknown or in doubt, so it is necessary to use detention to manage the security risks.

“The recent events in Darwin show that New Zealand is a target for dangerous and illegal mass arrivals by boat. We need to be prepared.”

Other policy changes meant that a claimant’s refugee status will be reassessed three years after it is first determined, with permanent residence not granted unless this reassessment is approved.

Family reunification rules will also be restricted, so that those who do gain residence after three years can sponsor their immediate family members to join them in New Zealand, but not their extended family members.

“There are appropriate channels for genuine refugees to use. We cannot start accepting boat loads of people – we need to deter them before they take to sea.

“This legislation is not about punishing people with a genuine claim for refugee status. It’s about sending a strong message that queue jumpers won’t be tolerated, and people smugglers will not be rewarded.”

Mr Guy says New Zealand remains committed to fulfilling its international good citizen obligations by accepting an annual quota of up to 750 UNHCR-mandated refugees.

New Zealand commemorates Anzac losses in Turkey

nospam@example.com (admin) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:47:00 +1200

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Nathan Guy will represent New Zealand at the 97th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign in Turkey tomorrow.

“This is a time to remember those thousands of New Zealanders who stepped ashore on Gallipoli 97 years ago and who never returned.

“8556 New Zealanders landed at Anzac Cove. Nearly a third - 2721 – were killed, with thousands more injured.”

Mr Guy says between 5000 and 7000 people, including many young New Zealanders, are expected to attend the commemorations.

“Anzac Day commemorates loss but also celebrates our ties of friendship with Turkey, which lost 87,000 men during the Gallipoli campaign – double the number of allied forces.

“We are especially grateful to the Turkish authorities for the significant effort and resources they dedicate to ensuring the Gallipoli heritage park is preserved and well cared for, and that ANZAC commemorations run smoothly and safely.”

Mr Guy has formally met the Governor of Canakkale Province, Mr Gungor Azim Tuna today and thanked him on behalf of the New Zealand Government for the Turkish Government’s significant contribution.

Mr Guy will speak at the Turkish International Service and attend the Turkish 57th Regiment Memorial Service on April 24th. On April 25th he will address the Dawn Service at the Anzac Commemorative Site, the New Zealand Memorial Service at Chunuk Bair, and attend the Australian Memorial Service at Lone Pine.

The official New Zealand contingent at Gallipoli includes the Vice Chief of Defence Force, Rear Admiral Jack Steer, Don McIver, President of the RSA, representatives from Veterans' Affairs and the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel including an Army chaplain, catafalque guard, and members of the NZ Army Band.

“Anzac Day is a time to remember not just Gallipoli, but all those veterans who have served New Zealand in the name of peace and freedom.

“We are eternally grateful to these men and women, and we owe it to them to honour their commitment not only today, but in the future. Lest we forget.”

Turkish national honoured for Anzac contribution

nospam@example.com (admin) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:44:00 +1200

Minister of Veterans’ Affairs Nathan Guy has invested Turkish citizen Mr Ali Partal as an Honorary Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, in recognition of his work supporting Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli.

“This is the first time a Turkish national has ever received a Royal New Zealand Award and is well deserved.”

The award was presented at a ceremony in Canakkale, Turkey this morning (New Zealand time).

Mr Ali Partal is the former Deputy Governor of the Çanakkale province which includes Gallipoli. The award is due to the outstanding assistance he provided to New Zealand around the Anzac Day commemorations from 2005 to 2011.

“Mr Partal has been invaluable in ensuring the success and safety of the annual Anzac Day commemorations, and in supporting numerous visits by New Zealand dignitaries and the thousands of New Zealand and Australian nationals.”

The New Zealand Order of Merit is awarded to those who have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and New Zealand, or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits.

“I’ve heard only the highest praise for Mr Partal’s efforts from both locals and New Zealand officials. His efforts have helped to make the Anzac Day services safe, dignified and reflective of the strong and close relationship between our two countries.

“The dedication and efforts of people like Mr Partal, and many others from New Zealand, Turkey and Australia are critical to our annual Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli.

“The close bond between our countries will continue to be especially important as we look forward to the centenary celebrations of Gallipoli in 2015.”

ANZAC Day in Gallipoli

nospam@example.com (admin) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:17:00 +1200

By the time you read this column it will be ANZAC Day and I’ll be representing New Zealand in Gallipoli as the Minister of Veterans’ Affairs.

It’s a huge honour to make this trip to Turkey and pay tribute to our countrymen who gave their lives in this campaign nearly 100 years ago.

Earlier this week I was shown around the various battle sites on the Canakkale Peninsula. It was an extremely moving experience. The conditions soldiers found when they landed, in darkness, were very challenging. Steep hills with little cover had to be navigated under fire and many casualties resulted.

While I am here I'm giving three speeches - to the Dawn Service at the Anzac commemorative site, the New Zealand service at Chunuk Bair and an international service at Cape Helles.

I’m looking forward to catching up with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and other dignitaries. Also attending will be Wanganui Collegiate student Jonathan Brumley who won a recent RSA nationwide speech competition that I officiated at.

It’s the first time in many years that I haven’t been able to attend local services around Kapiti and Horowhenua, which I'm sure will be well attended as usual this year.

New Zealand’s relations with Turkey are very different now to what they were in 1914 and Gallipoli is now a sacred spot for the Turks as well.

Turkish President Mustafa Kemal Ataturk famously said in 1934:

“You, the mothers who sent their sons from far away countries: wipe away your tears, your sons are now lying in our bosoms and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they become our sons as well.”

Gallipoli is widely regarded as a major milestone in New Zealand’s history. The day of landing is now enshrined in NZ life as Anzac Day and a strong bond has evolved between ourselves, Australia and Turkey.

The human cost of World War I on New Zealand was enormous. Our population at the time was less than one million, yet an expeditionary force of 100,000 was provided. Of those, 58,000 were killed or injured.

This equates to one in every three New Zealand men aged between 20 and 40. The evidence of this loss can be seen at memorials in every small town throughout the country.

ANZAC Day is also a time to remember our service men and women who have served in wars and conflicts since then, and today.

Lest we forget.

Next stage in Kapiti expressway

nospam@example.com (admin) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:16:00 +1200

The consent application for the Kapiti expressway is expected to be lodged by NZTA this week, which is great news for our region.

Once the application is lodged with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), the Environment Minister is likely to refer it to a Board of Inquiry – as is currently happening with Transmission Gully.

A board would then consider the application, hold hearings and make a decision within nine months.

The National Government created the EPA so that major projects can be assessed more quickly, allowing people to have their say while avoiding years of red tape.

As part of the application, NZTA will be making a wide range of detailed information publicly available. This will include technical reports and a range of supporting information.

It will be great to have this detailed information which means that groups and individuals will be able to make informed submissions.

The expressway will benefit Kapiti and Horowhenua, with safer roads, quicker journeys and a boost to the regional economy.

Over the summer we had two terrible road accidents around Otaihanga. This reinforced for me the need to build a decent expresssway with separate lanes making it safer.

Because it is a new route, construction will avoid disruption to existing roads. Once complete, it means that SH1 will become a local road for local use.

It is a key part of the Road of National Significance from Levin to Wellington Airport, including Transmission Gully.

Along with Kapiti Airport and improved train services to Waikanae, it is part of a major investment into transport in our region.

Last year I campaigned strongly on getting these new roads built, all the way from Levin to Wellington. Most people tell me “hurry up and build them” and that’s exactly what is happening now.

We have the funding in place and a strong mandate from the public, so I’m looking forward to more good progress this year.

Consultation underway on ETS changes

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:17:00 +1200

The Government today released a consultation document setting out proposed changes to the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme.

“The ETS is the most cost effective and efficient way we can reduce our emissions and do our fair share on the global issue of climate change,” say Climate Change Minister Tim Groser and Primary Industries Ministers David Carter and Nathan Guy.

Today’s announcement follows the first mandatory review of the scheme last year which recommended several refinements, including extending the transitional implementation phase of the scheme and changing aspects of how forestry is treated.

“The proposals reflect a number of the Panel’s recommendations, while taking account of developments on the international front following the United Nations climate change meeting in Durban last December,” Mr Groser said.

The proposed changes include:

• A more gradual phase out of the 'transition measures' put in place for business;
• The introduction of more explicit powers for the Government to auction New Zealand Units within an overall cap and restrict the use of overseas units in the ETS;
• The introduction of offsetting for pre-1990 forest landowners and a review of the level of compensation being provided; and
• Subject to a 2014 review, provision for a maximum three-year postponement of the agriculture sector’s inclusion.

“These proposed changes will enable New Zealand to do its fair share while ensuring the ETS doesn’t impact unreasonably on business and households,” Mr Groser said.

“Foresters are an integral part of the ETS which is why the Government has fought hard to influence the international Kyoto rules to ensure they reflect the environmental benefits of the forestry sector,” said Mr Guy.

“With regard to agriculture’s inclusion in the ETS, the Government’s position is clear. Agriculture will enter only if our trading partners make more progress on tackling climate change, and there are practical technologies for farmers to reduce emissions,” said Mr Carter.

Consultation on the proposed changes will run until 11 May with a series of nationwide hui/meetings planned for interested parties.

View discussion document here www.climatechange.govt.nz/consultation/ets

Youth mental health

nospam@example.com (admin) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:14:00 +1200

Most teenagers in Kapiti and Horowhenua do very well with their education and managing the social pressures of growing up. Nearly every week in the local papers I read about young people doing well, like young superbike rider Sam Croft or students taking part in “Shave for a Cure” week to raise money for leukaemia which is fantastic.

But there are many kids who find the transition from childhood to adulthood tough going, and struggle with mental health problems like depression and anxiety.

Around one in five teenagers will experience some form of mental health problem during this crucial time in their lives.

This is why Prime Minister John Key has announced an ambitious ‘Youth Mental Health Project’ to improve the help we give to young people.

We will be better equipping schools to identify students with mental health issues sooner, and providing $18.6 million for more nurses and social workers into lower decile schools. Programmes to tackle bullying and raise self-esteem will also be expanded.

Young people today are very tech-savvy and communicate using social media like texting and Facebook. Government services will be modernised to make sure they reflect this, which will include money to develop an online therapy service.

Parents, families, and friends have a big role to play identifying mental health issues in young people, but they need more information. We will fund non-government organisations to help get that information out to people.

An extra $11.3 million is going into mental health services, with targets in place to reduce wait times and referrals. Government-funded alcohol and drug education programmes for young people will be reviewed to make sure they're having a positive effect.

We are very fortunate to have a social sector trial operating out of Levin's 'Life to the Max', which is a high-trust model sponsored by this Government. It helps to bring Government departments together and focus on families with specific drug, alcohol and social problems.

In Kapiti we have Kapiti Youth Support service that allows teenagers to drop in at the Paraparaumu site and have their social issues dealt with in a high degree of confidence.

I'm sure both these organisations and parents will be pleased to hear that Prime Minister John Key is focussed on addressing these tough social issues.

You can find more information about these important initiatives at: http://www.national.org.nz/youthmentalhealth.aspx

New airline penalties to improve border security

nospam@example.com (admin) — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 14:25:00 +1200

The Government is stepping up border protection with a new penalty and enforcement regime for airlines which breach their obligations under the Immigration Act, Immigration Minister Nathan Guy announced today.

“With more than 4.5 million people flying into New Zealand every year, it’s important that we protect our borders and encourage compliance with the law,” says Mr Guy.

“This new regime will have penalties ranging from $500 to $5000, depending on the breach of the Immigration Act.

“For instance, under the Act airlines have to check a person has the required travel documents to enter New Zealand, such as a passport and appropriate visa.

“Currently, breaches of the Act may be subject to court prosecution which can take time and money. This new regime will enable immediate action to be taken at the time of the offence.

“These changes strike the right balance between encouraging compliance with the law, and imposing a fair and reasonable cost on the airlines which fail to comply.

“Most airlines do a very good job of meeting their requirements, but we need to recognise the seriousness of not doing so. It can result in people entering New Zealand to work illegally, people trafficking, or costs to our health system.

“This brings New Zealand into line with Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, which all impose infringement fees on carriers for breaches of immigration obligations,” says Mr Guy.

The penalty regime is in addition to other work Immigration NZ does with airlines to enforce their immigration obligations, including training and education.

Airlines have been consulted and the new infringement regime will come into effect in July.

Helping students perform better

nospam@example.com (admin) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 16:11:00 +1200

One of the reasons that Kapiti and Horowhenua are popular places to raise a family is because of the good quality schools in our region.

Already this year a new Teen Parent Unit has been announced in Levin to help students who might otherwise drop out of school, and as you probably know, a new school is planned in Waikanae. This will help cater for the increasing number of young families in the area.

As a nation though, we need to improve the results of schooling for our students. While most New Zealand kids do well, we still have a significant “tail” of underachievers.

Around 20% of students leave school without adequate literacy and numeracy, which is why we introduced National Standards.

The Standards are signposts which show what Year 1 to 8 children should be able to achieve in reading, writing, and maths, and by when. Parents now receive plain language reports on their child’s progress twice a year.

Despite a few critics, the programme is working well and I’ve heard good feedback from local parents who appreciate the easy-to-read updates.

As a parent of three young children myself I know how important it is to stay involved in their schooling and give extra help when and where it’s needed. I really enjoyed attending their three-way conference recently where they showed off their work and I could ask questions.

Minister of Education Hekia Parata is also looking at developing a robust way of evaluating teacher performance.

Evidence from other countries shows that a performance system should have a wide range of inputs, including student progress and achievement, and feedback from other teachers, students, and parents.

Once we can identify how well a teacher is doing then we can share best practice with other teachers, target professional development, and provide a mix of rewards that encourage higher student achievement.

A few weeks ago the Prime Minister announced an ambitious target of lifting achievement levels to get 85% of students passing NCEA Level 2 by 2016.

To achieve this, we are going to need parents engaged with their children’s learning and to have the highest quality teaching in our classrooms.

Red tape cut for international students

nospam@example.com (admin) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 15:21:00 +1200

Minister of Immigration Nathan Guy has announced changes to health screening rules which will reduce red tape for international students and other migrants, while protecting the public health system.

“From July this year, international students will no longer need to supply full medicals. Unless they have other health conditions, they will only need to be screened for tuberculosis.

“This will greatly reduce the cost and hassle for around 62,800 students who will save around $17 million a year in medical costs.

“We are also requiring international students to hold health insurance as a condition of their visa. This will not be an issue for most students, as they are ineligible for health services in New Zealand and education providers are required to ensure they hold insurance.

“International education is worth $2.3 billion to the economy a year, and indirectly supports around 32,000 jobs. These changes will make it easier for low-risk, high-value students to come to New Zealand.”

Changes to health screening for other visa categories include:

• Previously submitted medical records will be able to be re-used, provided they are less than 36 months old and there are no clear risk factors.

• For the partners and dependent children of New Zealand citizens and residents, screening will be limited to serious conditions which could disqualify them.

• Tests and requirements will also be updated to ensure that the latest developments in high-cost health conditions are taken into account.

“These changes show that the Government is serious about tackling red-tape and attracting migrants who can make a contribution to New Zealand. At the same time, we are making sure that applicants have an acceptable standard of health,” says Mr Guy.

Further information is available at: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/general/generalinformation/news/healthchanges

Making local government more effective

nospam@example.com (admin) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:24:00 +1300

Local government has always been a big part of my life. I served nearly three terms on the Horowhenua District Council, and I’m lucky to be the 5th generation of the Guy family to serve in local body politics.

My father Malcolm and grandfather Duncan were both County Chairman of the Horowhenua District for decades, including a time when it stretched as far south as Waikanae.

I’m a firm believer that effective local government builds strong and successful communities.

That’s why I was pleased with the Prime Minister’s announcement last week of “Better Local Government” - reforms to make councils more sustainable and responsible to ratepayers.

It’s concerning that since the last law change in 2002, average rates have increased by 7% per annum across the country, and overall council debt has quadrupled from $2 billion to $8 billion.

Recent Government figures on council debt per capita have Kapiti Coast District at $1448 and Horowhenua District $915, the 22nd and 29th highest in the country respectively.

Local government is big business. 78 local councils make up 4% of New Zealand’s GDP, with $100 billion in public assets and $7.5 billion a year in spending.

These reforms will help keep rates affordable and debt at prudent levels by focusing councils on their core roles. There will be clear fiscal responsibility tests, and councils will be given more tools to better manage costs.

I’m sure there will be wide ranging debate on what some of the targets around income, expenditure and debt should be.

Our two local councils face different challenges. Kapiti is one of the fastest growing districts in New Zealand, and catching up on infrastructure has been a challenge for both local and central government. This is why we are seeing such major investment into the Kapiti expressway, Transmission Gully, new trains and improved rail tracks.

The Horowhenua district also needs to prepare for population growth when the new four-lane expressway reaches Levin, which will mean the Wellington CBD will be just an hour away.

The eight key reforms are:

1. Refocus the purpose of local government
2. Introduce fiscal responsibility requirements
3. Strengthen council governance provisions
4. Streamline council reorganisation procedures
5. Establish a local government efficiency taskforce
6. Develop a framework for central/local government regulatory roles
7. Investigate the efficiency of local government infrastructure provision
8. Review the use of development contributions

The Government will be consulting with Mayors and Chief Executives from around New Zealand, and you can find more information at http://www.dia.govt.nz/better-local-government.

New migrant dairy guides launched

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:00:00 +1300

Immigration and Associate Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has launched two new guides today to help migrant dairy workers and their employers work together more successfully.

“Migrant workers make up a small but significant part of the dairy industry workforce, filling the gaps where there are not enough New Zealanders available.

“There are now around 1500 migrant dairy workers in the country, making up 6% of the workforce. The majority come from the Philippines and demand has increased in recent years as it has proved difficult to attract and retain local workers in some parts of rural New Zealand.

“The dairy industry is worth more than $13 billion in export value to New Zealand and is our largest single exporter. It’s in everyone’s interest that migrant workers fit easily into rural communities.”

The guides cover topics including employment and immigration law, keeping safe, working with animals, our changeable weather, Kiwi slang and expressions, and adapting to rural life.

“The guides have come out of the Migrant Dairy Workers Initiative, which was set up by Immigration New Zealand in February last year in response to concerns about the welfare of migrant dairy farm workers and their families.”

Industry partners such as Federated Farmers, Rural Women and DairyNZ have all contributed to these brochures.

Copies of the guides, Are you recruiting migrant workers? What do you need to know? and Living and working on a New Zealand dairy farm are available at www.ssnz.govt.nz/dairyfarming/

The guide for workers will also be available in Tagalog (for Filipino workers) and Spanish (for South American workers) in early April.