British cops opt to stay

Almost 60 police recruits who came to New Zealand from Britain under the Government's work-to-residence policy have decided to stay.

The Department of Labour's Immigration Service last week approved 47 residence applications from the Auckland-based officers.

Three had already been granted residence under the "talent visa" category - for being qualified to hold a variety of jobs.

Another eight police officers had gained residence approval through categories such as "family" and "skilled migrant".

Eleven police officers had returned to Britain.

The work-to-residence policy was introduced three years ago to fill skill shortages.

"We want migrants to positively contribute to New Zealand and this is exactly what these people are doing," Department of Labour deputy secretary Mary Anne Thompson said yesterday.

"The policy signalled a shift in focus for the department - from passively receiving applications to actively recruiting people this country needs."

It was one of a number of changes the Government made to the skilled and business immigration categories.

"It greatly assisted us in our time of need," said the general manager of police human resources, Wayne Annan.

"We are continually looking into different options to enable entry to New Zealand police by overseas officers."

Other migrants who entered New Zealand under talent visas included people working for New Zealand's biggest employers such as Carter Holt Harvey and Fletcher Construction.

Others were in physiotherapy practices, teaching in high schools or automotive workshops, Ms Thompson said.

Since the talent category was introduced in 2002, 531 people had converted their talent visas to permanent residence status.

- NZPA