Samoans flock to jail jobs

More than 30 prison officers recruited from Samoa have started work in New Zealand jails.

Almost 400 Samoans applied to be prison officers to gain entry under the immigration quota, and 72 have been appointed. Thirty-five are already on the job and another 13 are going through induction training, says the department's magazine.

Under the immigration quota, 1100 Samoans can enter New Zealand each year but they need a job offer to take up residency.

In 2003 less than half of the Samoan quota was filled.

One of the officers said she was enjoying her new job.

"I love working with people and helping them - I was a missionary for my church in the United States and this is like a second mission," Lotomua Avauli said.

The recruitment drive from Samoa was started as the Department of Corrections struggled to fill staff vacancies at prisons.

Other potential employers who have been seeking to recruit labour in Samoa are road building companies and the Stagecoach bus company.

- NZPA