One Report about NZIS is out – one still to come.
Yesterday, a report was released into problems with the Pacific Island division of NZIS. This report was carried out by Ernst And Young, because of problems reported in the division when news was released about the then head of NZIS, Mary Anne Thompson.
Mary Anne Thompson used her position as head of NZIS to grant residency for her relatives from Kiribati, despite the fact that they were not entitled to it because they had missed the deadline for the quota for that country. It was then discovered that MS Thompson had lied on her CV in order to get a previous job in the Prime Ministers office: a job which led directly to her being appointed as the head of NZIS without going through any process of selection, and without anyone checking her qualifications.
She oversaw the setting up of a special division within NZIS to deal with visa applications from the Pacific Islands. It appears that this division was run as a “fiefdom”, and that’s about the best that can be said for it. It was separate from NZIS itself – something I just have a problem comprehending. Why on earth should pacific islanders have their own separate department??? The rest of us just get Branches.
Not that it did them any good – or gave them an advantage over the rest of us plebs who try to emigrate to New Zealand. It seems that there were twice the number of successful appeals against decisions coming out of this department as there are coming out of the rest of NZIS in total.
In fact – that is an interesting number: 66% of decisions from the Pacific Department were reassessed. Now – this doesn’t mean that 66% were appealed – but that 66% of decisions were changed on appeal – I.e. – NZIS got it wrong. What is more interesting – is that the percentage for other areas of NZIS – is still a whopping 32%! So basically – if NZIS turn you down – you have almost a 1 in 3 chance of getting the decision overturned.
One would think with odds like that – NZIS might make a bit more effort to make sure they got the decisions right in the first place.
There is another report due out on matters relating to problems within NZIS – and that one is being handled by the Auditor Generals Office. It will also be much more wide-ranging: looking into the actions of agencies and people surrounding NZIS – not just NZIS staff itself.
About time too.
You can check out appeals made against NZIS decisions at the Residence Review Board – it makes very interesting and sometimes shocking reading. We were told by our Local MP that you have to apply for residency IN New Zealand in order to be eligible to go to the Review Board. A total Crock of BS as it happens. The residence review board hears appeals on any Residency applications. It won’t however review temporary visa, work visas or Long Term Business visas.
I live in hope that one day NZIS will deal with applicants in a fair and consistant manner, and put an end to the lottery system.
Related posts:
- The Auditor General’s Report on Immigration New Zealand is out.
- 10 things you need know if you are having problems with NZIS (INZ).
- Auditor General report – The NZIS computer system sucks.
Comments
One Comment on One Report about NZIS is out – one still to come.
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Hubby on
Tue, 10th Mar 2009 2:58 pm
As NZ Govt. is looking to streamline decision processes, and save money etc. I’m going to suggest that they start using a standard issue six sided dice to make Immigration decisions. Hey! – they can even cut down on wrong decisions by just deciding that a roll of ‘one’ is an automatic ‘No’. Voila! instantly halving the number of appeals made that may get over turned.
Although I am wondering here, if this is one of those physics things of ‘equal and opposite reaction’ things? 1/3 vs 2/3′s – sounds oddly balanced.
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