300 migration cases probed

The Immigration Service is investigating about 300 cases of fraud, Parliament was told yesterday.

Associate Immigration Minister Damien O'Connor said allegations of improper practice were received every day and they all had to be investigated.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters had asked him whether the investigations included "the scams I have brought to Parliament, including the Fernridge Institute, which is running a sham establishment".

Mr O'Connor said that at March 31 the service was working on about 300 investigations, including allegations against the Wairarapa forestry training institute.

Mr Peters claimed in Parliament on Wednesday that Fernridge was being used as a front for cheap foreign labour.

- NZPA