New Zealand ready to welcome Pacific migrants

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced that citizens of Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Fiji can register for this year’s ballot under the ‘Samoan Quota’ and ‘Pacific Access’ (PAC) Category.

Each year, up to 1100 Samoan citizens, 250 Tongan citizens and 75 citizens from Kiribati and Tuvalu are selected by ballot to be considered for the grant of residence in New Zealand. Following the restoration of democracy in Fiji, 250 citizens of Fiji will also now be eligible for residence each year under the PAC, from 2015.

The procedure

Those interested must use the prescribed forms (the Samoan Quota Scheme Registration Form (INZ 1086) the Pacific Access Category Registration Form (INZ 1092) and follow the instructions. It is important to ensure that the required information and documents accompany the application.

Citizens of the aforementioned countries resident in New Zealand should hold proper documents including a valid visa and be in the 18 to 45 years age group to be eligible to apply for permanent residence.

Job Offer please

Those chosen in the ballot will enter the second stage of the selection process. These applicants would have eight months to lodge the application along with a job offer.

The reality is that if your registration has been successful, then it becomes a family application under which the spouse and dependent children can be included.

However, there could be multiple registrants from one family in the ballot, thereby increasing the chances of selection.

Many consider this a lottery scheme.

Fijians have been included after a long gap since Fiji was under sanction following the military coup on December 5, 2006. Even though 250 appear to be modest, the actual number would be higher because applicants are allowed to include their spouses and dependent children.

The registration fee of $70 is very modest.

Good neighbour

New Zealand has always had good relations with its Pacific neighbours and this annual quota is a visual testament.

Auckland is one of the largest cosmopolitan cities in the world, also accounting for a large Pacific population.

Cultural and religious diversity makes Auckland a unique city, attracting international festivals, conferences, shows and events.

Are other cities in New Zealand ready to accept new migrants?

Is the government’s response rate in place?

Will the newcomers be appreciative and mindful of what is on offer and assimilate into the society or try to recreate another Asia, Pacific, Africa or Europe?

Like most things in life, time will tell.