With Prime Minister John Key's family background, you might have expected a little more compassion and understanding on the matter of refugees, writes Brian Rudman.

Immigration New Zealand has collected nearly $3 million in fees it legally could not charge clients for.

An Indian father of two boys born here is facing deportation after being convicted of helping illegal migrants find work.

Australia has considered using a naval vessel to shepherd a boat of asylum seekers across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand, Prime Minister John Key revealed yesterday.

The announcement by the Government that it will take asylum seekers or refugees from Australia completely misses the boat on actually protecting refugees, writes Michael Timmins.

Exploited migrant workers are being paid $2 an hour to work in small businesses such as ethnic restaurants.

John Key says he received an intelligence report just before Christmas that a boat from Indonesia with hundreds of asylum seekers was planning to head to NZ.

Former immigration minister Anthony Malcolm says New Zealand's reputation abroad will be damaged by accepting refugees from Australia's asylum centres.

A Chinese migrant convicted over a kidnapping and $1 million ransom plot was allowed to work here after support from a former Associate Immigration Minister.

In a week's time Pele Lolesi and her family will be standing at a check-in counter at Auckland Airport.

A Czech man who witnessed a murder and fled to New Zealand on a false passport could be deported after appearing before the courts for the third time.

Kiwis will get priority for jobs in the Christchurch rebuild once new visa rules for immigrants are introduced.

Just eight people have had their refugee status revoked after a long-running saga involving a global people-smuggling ring.

A New Zealand politician is lobbying his Australian counterparts about changing laws to allow New Zealanders a fair go.

Stripped of his own right to permanent residency and citizenship in Australia, he has become a tireless advocate for other New Zealanders caught by the 2001 changes to Australian social security rules.

Job vacancies in Australia may be dwindling but the economic situation there doesn't appear to be stopping New Zealanders from taking their chances in search of a better life.

Some parents tell their high-achieving children to not even consider university because there was no way they can afford to attend.

An ever-increasing number of Kiwis are eyeing a move to Australia despite the lack of access to safety nets.

Across Australia, the young and talented children of expatriate Kiwis find their careers stunted when they leave school, cut off from higher education and government apprenticeships by costs and policies.

Kiwis caught by Australian laws excluding most from social welfare, higher education and permanent residency are increasingly becoming guest workers with few rights.

Tourists say a rogue operator promised them visits to farms, geyser parks and buffet dinners - but instead took them to free events.

Just one fake marriage has been prosecuted in the past 18 months despite nearly 10 "tip-offs" every month.