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June Ranson: Many migrants will welcome changes to visa rules

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Wed, 19 Apr 2017, 9:26AM
Prime Minister Bill English (Photo / NZME)

June Ranson: Many migrants will welcome changes to visa rules

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Wed, 19 Apr 2017, 9:26AM

The Government is being urged to get more skilled migrants into provincial centres, as part of changes to visa rules.

Changes to New Zealand's immigration settings will be announced later today, including tighter criteria for some immigration categories.

Prime Minister Bill English said they want to have better control over the type of migrants coming in, to make sure they have the skills we need.

This comes a day after the Australian government announced it will replace one of its foreign worker visas, with a much tougher one.

Association of Migration and Investment chairwoman June Ranson told Mike Hosking many migrants will welcome a change.

"They're in this country providing good skills, and they've had no pathway to get residence because of the great emphasis on qualifications."

Ranson said our Government needs to focus on getting skills where they're needed.

"We've got businesses that are downsizing and also some of them looking at closing, especially down in the South Island. New Zealand doesn't revolve around Auckland."

LISTEN ABOVE AS JUNE RANSON SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING

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