Editorial: Points system bonus for Bay

Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stan Gregec

Changes to the immigration points system announced this week will, in the long term, help address skill shortages in the Bay.

The government is introducing changes to immigration policy in November, giving migrants extra points on their application if they take a job in the regions rather than in Auckland.

It's a pragmatic approach aimed at cooling Auckland's housing market and boosting regional economies.

The new policy will see bonus points for residency applications raised from 10 to 30 points, out of a required 100, for skilled migrants who settle outside Auckland.

For entrepreneurs, the comparable lift is from 20 to 40 points out of 120.

Those who settle in the regions will have to stay for a year, up from the current three months.

The Government hopes this policy will lead to an influx of fresh ideas and fresh businesses.

Speaking after the policy was announced, Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stan Gregec said Tauranga was likely to be one of the first places that skilled migrants would look to settle outside Auckland.

The Bay offers a great lifestyle and, thanks to the booming economy, it also offers plenty of opportunities for people moving from overseas. Tauranga's close proximity to Auckland is also a big advantage.

As reported in today's paper, the Bay is experencing a serious skills shortage. An Immigration New Zealand skills shortage list shows 58 occupations which are facing an immediate shortage of skilled staff in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty region.

While an increase in migrants coming to Tauranga might put further pressure on the housing sector and educational resources, many businesses struggling to fill positions will be pleased the policy has been changed.

It is important the Bay makes the most of this policy and to do that we need to ensure that those who do relocate here are welcomed into the community.

Hopefully this will encourage migrants to stay longer than a year so the region benefits long-term from their ideas and skills.