Immigration fast track opens to Fiji nationals

4.45pm

New Zealand will offer residency to 250 Fiji nationals each year, under changes to immigration rules announced today.

The Pacific Access Category (PAC), a limited access programme, allows for 250 people from Tonga, 75 from Tuvalu and 50 from Kiribati to apply for New Zealand residence every year. Fiji had not been included in the programme.

Under the changes announced today there will be 250 places annually for Fiji nationals. The number of places for Kiribati nationals wil be increased to 75.

Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel said it was a step towards strengthening New Zealand's relationship with Fiji.

It recognised historic, economic and cultural ties with Fiji, she said.

"It also allows us to rebuild the strong ties that New Zealand had with Fiji prior to the 2000 coup in that country," she said.

"Now that political stability has been returned to Fiji, it is timely to make this decision."

PAC applicants must register must register with the New Zealand Immigration service between July 1 and August 12.

All registrations are entered in a pool, and drawn out by a random electronic ballot, until the limit is reached.

- NZPA