Police imports face foreigner fees

By HELEN TUNNAH

British police lured to Auckland to fill jobs will have to pay full fees for their children to be educated as foreign students, says New Zealand First.

MP Ron Mark said the scores of police brought in under the scheme should not have to wait two years to qualify for residency under their "talent" visa work permits.

Seventy-six officers came to New Zealand last year under the programme to fill vacancies in Auckland.

Police Association president Greg O'Connor said the residency problem affected only a few officers.

But the partners of some officers were having trouble getting jobs because they were not permanent residents.

Mr O'Connor said the officers were aware before they came that they would not be eligible for residency for two years.

But some issues, such as finding employers willing to hire non-New Zealand residents, and paying high costs for education and healthcare, had been unexpected.

"The feedback is that they're doing a really good job. The troops on the ground say they're really appreciated."

Mr O'Connor said the visa status issue should be resolved by the Government.

But a spokeswoman for Police Minister George Hawkins said it was not an issue for him.

"They were employed by the Police Commissioner."

However, a police spokesman said the officers were being treated according to the law, and any changes to immigration conditions had to be made at the political level.

"It's a matter for the Government."

Mr Mark cited one case where the child of a British police officer had been asked for $16,000 in fees for a polytechnic course.

The talent visa allows a person to apply for residency if he or she has worked in New Zealand for two years and has a job that pays at least $45,000 a year.