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Summary
- The Productivity Commission has initiated an investigation into immigration policy settings.
- The system-wide review will focus on immigration policy as a means of improving productivity in a way that is targeted to aid the overall well-being of Kiwis.
- This inquiry will also add to the existing work, which is being led by the Minister of Immigration, Kris Faafoi.
A Production Commission investigation into immigration settings to ensure overall well-being of Kiwis was announced on Monday. The probe will be the first of its kind under the new Productivity Commission Chairman Dr Ganesh Nana and will consider the impact of immigration on the labour market, housing, and natural environment.
Finance Minister Grant Robertson stated that the disruption caused by COVID-19 provided New Zealand with a unique chance to discuss immigration. He defined it as a sector that contributed significantly to the country's labour market, culture, and society.
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However, as per Robertson, it is critical to have a better understanding of New Zealand's immigration system's economic and other effects.
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For example, some businesses, sectors, and regions depend heavily on migration to satisfy their skill and labour needs, and there is a fear that this has pushed wages down. Moreover, despite a significant uptick in net migration over the last decade, skill shortages continue to exist in some industries.
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This review would allow New Zealand to effectively streamline its immigration settings.
Review is an attempt to take a longer-term look at the immigration system
This investigation will also add to Minister of Immigration Kris Faafoi's ongoing work, which includes the introduction of amendments to temporary work visas and a revision of the Skilled Migrant Category visa.
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Faafoi also revealed that he plans to make improvements to immigration settings this year. This comes at a time when the country is bracing up for the opening of its borders and is persistent to shift the balance away from low-skilled jobs by recruiting high-skilled migrants and filling real skills gaps.
As per Faafoi, the Productivity Commission's investigation provides an opportunity to examine the immigration system from a longer-term perspective.
