More migrants appeal for residency in NZ

Appeals from immigrants seeking residency in New Zealand increased about 25 per cent in the past year.

The Residence Appeal Authority reported it had received 530 appeals during the year and issued 309 decisions, compared with 409 appeals and 195 decisions the previous year.

The Immigration Service processes applications for residency but immigrants can appeal to the authority. Of the 503 appeals, 52 were either withdrawn, invalid or not proceeded with.

The authority found 87 of the 309 decisions made in the past year (28 per cent) to be wrong, and 37 (12 per cent) were referred to Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel. She granted all 37 exemptions.

"The trend over recent years of receiving a significant number of complex humanitarian, family and medical issues in appeals to the authority continued in the past year," the report said.

"Because of the serious issues and detailed consideration these appeals required, the time necessary to complete these decisions, even by experienced members, is significant."

Also tabled in Parliament yesterday was the annual report of the Removal Review Authority, which considers appeals by people issued with removal orders sending them out of the country.

For the year ended June 30, 475 appeals were lodged. Of those, 96 were not accepted as they were late or invalid, and 56 were withdrawn.

During the year, 420 decisions were made and 75 appeals were allowed.

- NZPA