Immigration New Zealand last week announced major changes to its business migration policy that are likely to impact regional centres such as the Bay of Plenty.
"The broad policy reason is to encourage more high-calibre migrants to come to New Zealand," said Michelle Carabine, an immigration law specialist at Sharp Tudhope lawyers. "They definitely want to encourage people who can come to contribute to economic growth."
The changes have been signalled for some time and, as reported by the Bay of Plenty Times business last week, were causing unease in the local Settlement Support New Zealand office, which was expecting to see a change in its role next year after the policy shift.
The new policy replaces the existing Long-Term Business Visa with a new Entrepreneur Work Visa.
"It will encourage business-savvy migrants to invest, settle, and create jobs across the country, by offering extra points for expanding or starting businesses outside of the Auckland region," said Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse.