Immigration NZ Delays 5 Year Parent Visitor Visa

So here we are again, in this latest immigration news, watching the government drag its feet while families wait in frustration. Immigration New Zealand has announced that they'll only start working on the five-year parent visitor visa next year. Yes, you heard right, next year. This isn't just a minor hiccup; it's a significant letdown for many, especially the Chinese community in New Zealand.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford tells us it's all about maintaining the integrity of the border. Fair enough, we need secure borders. But let's be real, this visa has been a promise for ages. The National, ACT, and Labour parties all sang the same tune during the election campaign, making it easier for parents and grandparents to visit. Now, we're being told to wait a bit longer.

Take Elsa Wang, an Aucklander who's been here for over a decade. She's rightly miffed, calling the timeframe "unacceptable." Her parents, both in their late 60s, have to jump through hoops every time they visit – police checks, health checks, the lot. And after all that, they can only stay for six months at a time. It's a shambles.

Or consider Xiuyun Liu in Christchurch, whose elderly parents have had to navigate visitor visas and even student visas to stay with their family. They’re getting older, and with every passing year, the visa process becomes more of a gamble with their health.

This isn't just about visas; it’s about family and respect. Many from Asian cultures place a high value on caring for their elderly, and this endless wait feels like a slap in the face. Louise Lu puts it succinctly – the government's priorities seem out of whack, and if this drags on, she won’t be backing National come the next election.

In essence, the government needs to pull its finger out and get on with it. These families have been left hanging long enough. Promises were made, and it's high time they were kept. Families shouldn’t have to keep fighting to be together. It's not just about policy; it's about doing right by the people who call this country home.

And that's the immigration news for today. Follow and subscribe for more immigration content like this. Ka Kite Ano.