Pre-budget speeches from the PM and her Minister of Finance feature in the latest posts on the Beehive website. Both speeches mention the re-opening (hurrah) of the country’s borders.
The re-opening was the highlight of a package of initiatives announced in a press statement in the names of four ministers, Jacinda Ardern (PM), Chris Hipkins (Education), Stuart Nash (Tourism) and Kris Faafoi (Immigration).
“New Zealand is in demand and now fully open for business,” Jacinda Ardern said.
“New Zealand’s international border will reopen to all tourists and visa holders two months earlier than planned on 31 July.”
The package included significantly simplified immigration processes intended to provide faster processing for businesses and a new “Green List” that includes over 85 hard-to-fill roles created to attract and retain high-skilled workers to fill skill shortages.
Hipkins got a second lick at the border-re-opening with an announcement that international students are welcome back – from July 31 – and the Government is committed to help reinvigorate and strengthen the sector.
This statement further advised that Hipkins will travel to the USA, Chile and Brazil to promote studying here.
In his speech to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce today, Finance Minister Grant Robertson spoke of “our immigration rebalance” and border reopening
“… in a way that embodies our objectives as a Government. A green list will provide a streamlined pathway to residency for workers with skills that are in high demand. This approach will enable us to support the development of high-value industries and to alleviate some of the supply constraints that are present in areas such as construction.”
But the green list has earned the government a black mark from nurses and midwives and sparked an accusation of sexism:
Nurses and midwives say an immigration shake-up privileges male dominated professions, is “sexist”, and will do little to help fill hundreds of vacancies in New Zealand.
It’s a completely sexist model, all the doctors are in the privileged group,” hospital midwives union co-leader Jill Ovens said.
Latest from the Beehive
12 MAY 2022
New Zealand poised to welcome international students back
New Zealand is fully reopening to international students and the Government is committed to help reinvigorate and strengthen the sector, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today.
Speech
Pre-Budget Speech to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce
I want to start by thanking our hosts the Wellington Chamber of Commerce who graciously do this every year as we lead into the Budget.
11 MAY 2022
Lower card fees on way for business, consumers
A Bill to help lower the fees charged when credit and debit transactions are made, will save New Zealand businesses around $74 million a year.
I te whare pāremata ngā uri o Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-ā-Rua i tēnei rā kia kite, kia rongo hoki rātou i te hipanga o te pānuitanga tuatahi o te Pire Whakataunga Kokoraho mō Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-ā-Rua.
Poroporoaki: Harerangi Meihana (Harry Mason)
Kua hinga ngā kapua pōuri i runga i Taranaki maunga. Kua wehe atu rā te Tumuaki o te Hāhi Ratana, arā ko matua Harerangi Meihana.
Speech
PM Pre-Budget Speech to Business New Zealand
Thank you to Business New Zealand and Fujitsu for hosting us here today, and I am grateful to be joined by Minister Faafoi, and Minister Hipkins.
Fully open border and immigration changes speed up economic growth
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today announced a major package of reforms, which include an early opening of New Zealand’s border and a simplification of immigration settings, to address the immediate skill shortages in New Zealand and speed up the economic recovery from COVID-19.
Point of Order 