Australia welcomes Danish musician snubbed by NZ migrant rules

Michael Hardinger

Two of his biggest fans are Denmark's Prime Minister and the Crown Prince but Danish musician Michael Hardinger will be making a new life in Australia because he cannot get a work permit to come to New Zealand.

About five years ago Hardinger had wanted to emigrate to New Zealand from his base in Los Angeles where he writes film scores.

He loves New Zealand, which he has visited many times, and had hoped to build a recording studio and later retire with a bed and breakfast business in the Bay of Islands.

But Hardinger quickly learned he was not eligible for entry under the New Zealand talents policy and could not meet the steep financial requirements of the investor category.

"I gave up on New Zealand because there was no category there that would accept me."

Those with exceptional talent in a declared field of arts, culture or sport can get a work visa or permit but they have to be sponsored by a nationally reputed New Zealand organisation and be 55 or under.

Hardinger was 53 at the time he considered moving to New Zealand but did not have a sponsor. He is now moving with his wife and child to Australia in July under a similar talent visa scheme.

In his application to Australian immigration Hardinger supplied personal recommendations from Denmark's Prime Minister and Crown Prince, who were fans of the commercially successful Danish rock band Shu-bi-dua in which he played guitar and keyboards.

He has solo recordings with sales of more than six million and has written five film scores.

Talent visas

New Zealand: Sponsorship required, must be aged 55 or under.
Australia: Sponsorship not required, no age limit.

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