Wow – we actually did it!
Filed under: NZIS & Immigration issues, The Family Sponsorship Saga
I’m absolutely bloody chuffed to be able to say that Immigration New Zealand have now (at last) published their own complaints procedure on the NZIS website. (Updated 21st July 2009).
The only slight problem is that it doesn’t actually match the complaints process as outlined by the Ombudsman (I published that as written here).
But ho hum – it’s at least a step in the right direction, and I’m hoping I will be able to get confirmation from the Ombudsman that following the process as now published will mean that they will investigate any complaints that are unresolved. They have even (thoughtfully) provided a PDF document detailing the process.
There is now even a special email address you can use to contact the Deputy Secretary (Workforce) with your complaint if it isn’t sorted by the branch manager. It’s just a pity he didn’t want to deal with our complaint.
depseccomplaints@dol.govt.nz
Even though we still have not had a resolution to the complaint we have made about the behavior of the Family Residence Team and Branch manager at London NZIS, it is a great relief to know that all the stress and grief we went through has at least resulted in some progress – and hopefully an easier time of it for future migrants.
Never doubt that you can make things happen, and don’t give up. And just because I have finally managed to write a post that I can stick a Babylon 5 quote in:
Intersections in Real Time
John Sheridan:You know, it’s funny, I was thinking about what you said, that the preeminent truth of our age is that you cannot fight the system. But if, as you say, the truth is fluid, that the truth is subjective, then maybe you can fight the system. As long as just one person refuses to be broken, refuses to bow down.
Interrogator: But can you win?
John Sheridan: Every time I say “no.”
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Momentary insanity at NZIS or simple spelling mistake?
As stuff ups at NZIS go – this one at least is funny (though not for the family involved I dare say).
It seems that an applicant looking to come in on the Family Sponsorship (Parent) policy was asked in a letter from Immigration New Zealand to consult an Astrologist about his health.
“Astrologist to review and comment on significance of this and whether or not surgery is required,” the letter said.
It turns out that the MA probably asked for a report from an Urologist (someone who looks at the urinary system), but the request was mis-transcribed by the case officer in Shanghai. Actually – having seen the scrawls that pass for comments by a Medical Assessors – I would not be terribly surprised if it was misread.
But for crying out loud – how does someone working in Immigration (in any office) for one minute think that an astrologist would be consulted??? At what point are Case Officers supposed to switch their brains on and go back to the MA for some clarification???
You just cannot make this stuff up.
But then, we have been told repeatedly that Case officers cannot question the Medical Assessors.
Thanks to Sal for the heads up.
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Crash Barriers on the Rimutaka Road.
It’s a beautiful road, but with “crash barriers” like this – it’s actually surprising that there aren’t more accidents.
Thankfully – they are currently being (slowly) replaced.
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Marie-Anne Thompson gets her day in court – maybe.
The ex-head of immigration is now going through deposition hearing to determine whether she will go to trial for allegedly lying on her CV. This is something that has been rumbling on for a while now, and it will be interesting to finally see the outcome. (If we ever get there).
So what is the deal here?
Well, in all the hullabaloo over whether Ms Thompson did or did not use her position to influence her family getting residency visas that they were not entitled to, it also emerged that she was claiming on her CV that she had a PhD when she didn’t.
She is in court on this point – this has nothing to do with the immigration of her family members. She faces 3 charges of fraud.
Mary-Anne Thompson did indeed study at the London School Of Economics – starting out on a Masters degree and at some point transferring to a Doctorate. The issue surrounds the question of whether or not she ever was ever actually awarded a degree – specifically the PhD.
Staff from the London School of Economics are giving evidence by video link.
It seems that although a thesis was submitted, it was sent back to be corrected and improved and so far it looks like that was last the LSE heard on the matter. It all gets a bit confusing with one report saying the thesis went back three times, another saying that an oral exam was suggested but never took place, one saying there are documents available showing a Masters degree was awarded. I think it needs a proper court case just to establish what the real facts are!
What does not seem to be in doubt at the moment is that there is no PhD. Ms Thompson claims that she believed she had one – and that’s the one part of this I have very little time for. How on earth do you not know that you didn’t actually get a degree? If you had spent all that time studying – wouldn’t you make absolutely sure you had the proof to back it up? Especially when working in a field like immigration where applicants have to be able to prove every last detail with documentation. There is always a paper trail somewhere!
There is actually an awful lot about this in the Auditor General Report – part 2 of which is specifically about the Issue of the PhD. I’ll go into that in a separate post – otherwise you will probably be bored to tears – but one thing did come through in that: everyone would have still given the job to Ms Thompson whether she had a PhD or not – based on the level and quality of her work. I can’t help but feel a bit sorry for her that she appears to have felt the need to lie to bolster a career that was so well respected. Especially since, in lying – she has wrecked that reputation completely.
On the other hand – I also have absolutely zero sympathy – given the treatment meted out to migrants who similarly “lie” on their applications – knowingly or by accident.
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Here we go again :)
Today, I put in my brother’s residency application.
I don’t know whether to feel a sense of relief that INZ cant possibly treat us as badly as they did with my parent’s application and that this one will obviously go through without a hitch. Or feel dread because they might just manage it.
Not entirely helped by the fact that the INZ office in Wellington has moved, and they haven’t bothered to leave any signs as to where they have moved to. I never thought to check before I went. INZ now live at 105 the Terrace – Kent Morrison House. You can get there directly from Lambton Quay by going into farmers and taking the lift. Knowing that would have saved me a trek across town.
Now we wait. Again.
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Working with the IAA to get to the bottom of things.
Over the past few weeks, there have been a flurry of emails between myself and the IAA to try and get to the bottom of what exactly I (and any other migrant) can blog about, post on forums about and even talk to other migrants about.
What started out looking like a hopeless waste of time, has turned into something that may actually be of benefit to a lot more people than just me, so I’m glad I stuck to my guns and tried to sort things through.
At the base of the problem is that the legislation prevents anyone from giving Immigration Advice, but you actually have to be working as an immigration Agent in order to apply to be registered. That is: you have to keep client files and business records. If you don’t have these things – you cannot apply to be licensed as an advisor.
I truly feel that the this problem has been caused solely by the people who wrote the law, without bothering to pick up a dictionary and read the difference between the word Advisor and Agent. It is one of those slips of sheer monumental stupidity that often causes just this amount of confusion and mayhem.
(It’s even more insulting when you realise that when trying to apply to be a licensed advisor, you once again have to prove a very high level of ability in the English language. Much better than the plonkers who wrote the law!).
Well, the upshot of this is, that the IAA are also not actually to blame for the mess we find ourselves in – as they are just the ones who have to deal with this pile of hooey. To be fair it’s also not the fault of the current government, as they did not write this law, no matter how much it may be fun to blame them – though a brief read of it should tell them its rubbish and they need to rewrite it from scratch.
I’ve spoken to the IAA today, as they asked if they could have a chat with me. This was basically because I need to be told in writing that I qualify for a free application (usually it’s nearly $2000) as a not-for-profit organisation. (While I sell a book, that has nothing to do with Immigration Advice – I do not and never have charged people to pass on what I know about the immigration process – it’s kind of a hobby).
It was a lovely chat – and I am very grateful to the IAA for taking the time to try and understand the issue, and for understanding the mess we are in. They have gone to do some more research and get some advice on the issue, so I wait to hear back. This does mean that I am holding off on writing to the Immigration Minister until I find out where the IAA will stand on the issue of blogs, forums and freedom of speech for migrants.
I’ll keep you posted.
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Beach report – Riversdale 26th July
Since one of our favoured past times since we got to NZ is bumming around on the beach, I figured it was time to start an ongoing series of beach reports.
So today, having spent weeks working our butts off with a variety of issues, I decided it was time to take a day out and head to Riversdale.
So, I can report today that;
1. The beach was busy – there was at least 20 people I saw on the beach while we were there
2. It was bloody cold! Fortunately the wind wasn’t strong enough to whip up sand into the face, it was still darn cold requiring a blanket to sit on the beach despite the glorious sunshine.
3. The waves were pretty shallow, and not that huge or choppy. And there was no one in the water, not even the singular hardy surfer.
4. It looks like there has been some storm erosion of the dunes, which means that instead of the nice slopes going down to the beach proper. The dunes are like they have had a slice taken off, just like the slips on the side of hills pouring mud down onto roads, rail tracks etc.
Still, it was gloriously sunny and the air was fresh, so we felt quite relaxed while we were there.
Being able to head to the beach is one of those things which helped Avalon with the home sickness. While I was never much of a beach person in the UK – lack of swimming ability being one area of caution – I’ve grown to really enjoy being at the beach. On honeymoon we started touring round some of the beaches, and I rather enjoy being in the choppy waves at Riversdale now.
Another water baby converted by NZ’s beaches.
Why you need to live in Wellington.
With thanks to Steve for sharing this on Facebook.
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Maybe the Mayor should have kept quiet.
Well, of course, by now you know we were not the winners from Masterton of the record $36,000,000 lottery win the other week. In fact, given that we don’t actually buy lottery tickets it would have been a bit odd if we had. A number of people did for some reason wonder though.
Well, as soon as it was announced that the family who won were from Masterton. Hand shot out begging for a share. Apparently the shop that sold the ticket has been inundated with letters for the family from people who want some of the money.
The worst by far however was the Mayor of Masterton who made it quite clear that he felt the family should stump up some funds for the council so they could provide some much needed infrastructure. WHAT????
That’s what you bill us rates for mate!
It seems this all started with a prank radio show calling the mayor and pretending to be the winners. On the basis of this call, the mayor then went on TV and spoke about the family wanting to help out with community projects. He now feels hard done by and wants this Tui Ad which pokes fun at him taken down:
While I get that he didn’t realise he was the butt of a joke, it was still highly unreasonable of him to go on TV and discuss the fact that Masterton Council would take part of a lottery win, and talk about what the money could be used for. The family were broke prior to the win, and like many people were struggling to pay their bills. Did the council reduce the rates bills to help out? Did they diddly. In fact we are still getting rate rises in the Wairarapa, just as people are all over new Zealand, so the last people who should have their hands out are the councils. They do little to help us all out in difficult times – they just try and grab yet more of our money.
The Tui Billboards are known for the sarcasm and biting humour, with politicians being particular fair game. They are usually hysterically funny, and it’s a great part of living in New Zealand that you look forward to seeing a new one spring up with a witty comment.
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Really wasn’t kidding about the weather!
Blimey – after yesterdays experience with a pillock driver trying to shove us into the hill, the weather just got worse and worse. Howling gales continued to batter Wellington City, and it was a relief that we were going to be staying over in town and not having to drive home.
Especially because by the time evening came, Wellington city was effectively cut off due to the weather and landslides.
Landslides, like wind and earthquakes are just really a fact of life here. Roads get closed, and occasionally a house falls down a hill. Bearing in mind that an awful lot of houses are perched precariously on the sides of hills – this is something to bear in mind when buying property here.
Last night – it was the roads and rail network that were in trouble. Worryingly the Wairarapa train even got derailed! Coming through the Maymorn tunnel (so before it goes under the Rimutakas) the train came out of the tunnel, and slammed into a bank of mud. The engine and the first carriage came off the rails, and the 6 carriages behind got stuck in the tunnel.
It took 2 hours for an engine to come and rescue the back carriages and take the passengers to Upper Hutt where they were put on busses to get them over the hill into the Wairarapa. Over the hill. With gales blowing and a rain storm. In a bus. Joy!
As it happened, the hill road was closed at 8pm anyway, so all in all, this is one day we got very lucky with our decision to stay in town. The trains are not running till after the weekend. Bizarrely enough – train rides from Wellington were supposed to be free this afternoon to make up for freezing carriages.
It seems the road north up the west coast was also blocked by a landslide, so the only way to get north last night was to take the Akatarawa road which runs from near upper Hutt to Waikanae. I’ve yet to meet anyone who thinks that’s a fun drive even on a nice sunny day.
Even so, it’s worth living here. Most people in the Waiararpa seem to have stayed at home today, but then, given how quiet some of the cafes were today – I think people stayed at home whether they lived in the city or not.
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