More immigration officers to deal with record-breaking visitor numbers

Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse said record-breaking visitor numbers meant more officers were needed at Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown airports. Photo / Thinkstock

Growth in the number of tourists and international students coming to New Zealand will see the number of immigration officers boosted with $33 million of new spending.

Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse said record-breaking visitor numbers meant more officers were needed at Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown airports.

He said next week's Budget will have $33 million of new operating expenditure over the next four years - $25.1 million will come from the Crown, and almost $8 million from immigration fees.

Passenger arrivals have grown from 1.3 million over the past 10 years to nearly 5.2 million.

"Positive growth in our tourism and export education sectors has seen the need for additional resources and investment to manage the increased number of passengers and the changing nature of global risk," Mr Woodhouse said.

"The $33 million allows for an extra 36 Immigration New Zealand staff, including border officers at Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown airports, as well as specialist officers to manage emerging risk in offshore markets."

Mr Woodhouse said Immigration NZ was focussed on identifying risks when passengers were still outside New Zealand and yet to board incoming flights, meaning fewer people would be intercepted at the border.