Buzz from the Beehive
Comings and goings were the common factor in the latest Beehive announcements.
Immigration Minister Michael Wood handled the “inward” movements by regurgitating migrant statistics he presumably wanted to crow about.
The “outward” movements are recorded in three statements – a further deployment of 120 New Zealand Defence Force personnel to the United Kingdom to help train Ukraine soldiers, the naming of a new High Commissioner to Kiribati, and a visit by Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta to Niue and Tonga this week.
Mahuta says her travels are “to engage kanohi ki te kanohi with counterparts”.
We imagine this is a legal form of behaviour among consenting adults and look forward to the television coverage.
Michael Wood’s news as Immigration Minister is that more than a third of eligible migrants are now New Zealand residents
“… thanks to the Government’s one-off, simplified path to residence, providing a way forward for migrant families and certainty for New Zealand businesses.
“This is great news for our migrant families and kiwi businesses.”
Wood’s figures show 85,000 people out of 215,000 had their applications for the 2021 Resident Visa approved in the eight months since the application process opened, and 95 per cent of phase one applications have now been processed.
“These people have key skills for our businesses and economy, including 3,626 health workers, 6,249 construction workers and 524 teachers, people who want to be here and have certainty about their ability to stay here and make New Zealand their home.”
Wood explained that the 2021 Resident Visa is part of the Government’s immigration rebalance, to simplify immigration settings and address immediate skill shortages in New Zealand.
He said over the coming months he expects thousands more critical workers committing their future to New Zealand.
Three Ministers – the PM, Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Defence Minister Peeni Henare – jointly announced that New Zealand is deploying a further 120 New Zealand Defence Force personnel to the United Kingdom to help train Ukraine soldiers, as part of an international effort to help Ukraine continue to defend itself against Russia’s illegal war.
Whether they have been trained “to engage kanohi ki te kanohi with counterparts” and whether such an engagement would be appropriate is unknown.
But this deployment follows a completed deployment of 30 NZDF personnel in May to train Ukrainian military personnel in operating artillery, and is part of a series of actions to date that includes over $40 million in financial support and the sanctioning of 840 individuals and entities.
“New Zealand has been clear that we will continue to answer the call of Ukraine for practical support as they defend their homeland and people against Russia’s unjustified invasion,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.
The deployment will enable two infantry training teams to equip Ukrainian personnel with the core skills to be effective in frontline combat including weapon handling, combat first aid, operational law and other soldier skills.
Defence Minister Peeni Henare said the deployment also provides an opportunity for NZDF personnel to gain valuable experience through conducting core soldier skills in a foreign environment, alongside key partners, which promotes retention in our defence workforce.
The deployment will travel via commercial flights to the UK in tranches over the next three weeks and will be deployed until 30 November. They will join other partner nations in contributing to UK’s effort to train 10,000 Ukrainian personnel.
Nanaia Mahuta said her travels to Niue and Tonga are another opportunity to reaffirm New Zealand’s links with the region and commit to future co-operation
“This is a challenging time for the Pacific. Leaders at last month’s Pacific Islands Forum reaffirmed climate change as the single greatest security threat with the adoption of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.”
Mahuta noted that half of the government’s $1.3 billion climate finance commitments announced late last year are for the Pacific.
She will provide an update on the climate finance strategy at a speech in Nuku’alofa on Friday.
The Foreign Minister travels to Niue today, to Tonga on Thursday, and returns to New Zealand on the evening of Friday 19 August.
Latest from the Beehive
16 AUGUST 2022
New High Commissioner to Kiribati appointed
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced the appointment of Andre Van Der Walt as New Zealand’s next High Commissioner to Kiribati.
85,000 new Kiwis provide certainty for New Zealand businesses
More than a third of eligible migrants are now New Zealand residents thanks to the Government’s one-off, simplified path to residence, providing a way forward for migrant families and certainty for New Zealand businesses.
15 AUGUST 2022
NZ sends further significant deployment to support Ukraine
New Zealand is making a further significant deployment of 120 New Zealand Defence Force personnel to the United Kingdom to help train Ukraine soldiers, as part of an international effort to help Ukraine continue to defend itself against Russia’s illegal war.
Foreign Minister visit to Niue and Tonga
Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta will visit Niue and Tonga this week to engage kanohi ki te kanohi with counterparts, and progress work on Aotearoa New Zealand’s Pacific Resilience and climate action priorities.
Point of Order 