Policy changes introduced by the National Government last month favour migrants who are able to demonstrate financial ability to support their parents. They also favour parents with the means to support themselves.
Therefore, these policy changes may gain the acceptance of a majority of Indian migrants to this country.
The Government was forced to make changes to the Family Parent and Adult Child/Sibling Category as figures showed that a high percentage of migrants under these categories were subsequently making applications for social welfare benefits.
These migrants were therefore disproportionately represented in social welfare benefit figures and reflected very badly on this particular immigration policy.
Previously, many hard working Indians were frustrated by their inability to sponsor their parents for Residence Visas to New Zealand, which was based on a simple mathematical formula, called the ‘Center of Gravity’ principle.
This has now changed.
The ability to sponsor one’s parents is now dependent on what the sponsor contributes to and what the parents can contribute to New Zealand.
It therefore directly rewards those migrants who work hard, are financially independent and have something to contribute to New Zealand.
Diligent community
I do not believe that complaints about the loss of the old policy reflect the values of the Indian Community. This is a community of people who have historically been characterised by their ability and eagerness to work hard, to stand on their own feet, to support their families and to bring skills and investment into this country.
These policy changes now support those same values.
It has been obvious for several months that changes would be made to the policy as it had been publicized in the media. The changes hardly come as a surprise therefore.
We are aware of a huge number of Indian migrants who are now greatly advantaged by these policy changes and their ability to now sponsor their parents for Permanent Residence into New Zealand’s a huge relief to them.
No longer is this policy reliant on a mathematical calculation regarding the number of children. It does not ignore an Indian son’s responsibility to care for his parents, and no longer are hard working and industrious Indian migrants forced to wait up to three years for the processing of their parents’ applications.
If any readers have family who have come to New Zealand with a promise made to the government that they would be supported by their family only to then access social welfare benefits, then these are the people responsible for this policy being abolished, not the National Government.
Whilst parents now benefit under the policy changes many people are asking about the last remaining family members and dependent children.
If a family however is hard working, industrious and has skills or assets to contribute to New Zealand, then there are a variety of means of sponsoring remaining family members for Permanent Residence.
Policy changes encourage migrants to come and obtain an education, utilise their skills, benefit the country financially and to invest in its growth and development.
I believe that the Indian community should welcome these changes.
Alastair McClymont is the Principal of McClymont & Associates Barrister & Solicitors. Immigration is among his specailities.
