Skills exodus may bring easier entry

By JOHN ARMSTRONG political editor

Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel is looking at loosening entry criteria for those with skills, after new figures confirmed that skilled New Zealanders are quitting the country in increasing numbers.

Migration figures published by Statistics New Zealand yesterday show long-term departures exceeded arrivals by 9528 in the year ended September - down 10 per cent on the previous year. The net outflow to Australia was more than 26,000. That was balanced by gains from China, South Africa, India and Japan.

The number of long-term departures has risen substantially in recent years to reach 72,330. In 1993, the number of Kiwis leaving was just over 41,000.

But a separate breakdown of the same data obtained by the Act party shows more than 19,300 skilled people left the country long-term in the September year, a slight rise on the previous year. Long-term migrants with skills entering the country numbered fewer than 14,000 - the lowest figure for a September year since 1992.

Lianne Dalziel said the immigration points system used by the previous Government had failed to attract skilled migrants to areas where New Zealand had shortages.

She was looking at a number of options, including ensuring a much wider range of trades and qualifications were recognised when assessing potential immigrants.