The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is encouraging New Zealanders to have their say on the newly proposed changes in immigration setting.
Essentially, the Ministry is consulting on:
The Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway had announced the first round of changes in immigration setting on Saturday, June 2, whereby restricting the post-study work rights of international students.
Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway
“International education is a significant service export industry and the Government remains committed to ensuring it remains an attractive and credible offering. Immigration settings are a crucial component to achieve this aim.
“These proposed changes, if adopted, will not affect current student visas or post-study visas.
“We must protect our reputation by ensuring that the students who are coming here are motivated by a great education and a positive experience,” Mr Iain Lees-Galloway said.
The consultation process had started on Monday, June 5, and ends at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 29.
New Zealanders can make their submissions on https://www.research.net/r/post-study-workrights, or alternatively can email their submissions to internationaleducation_consultation@mbie.govt.nz using the submission template.
The respondents can respond to any, or all of the proposals, mentioned in the draft document.
The Government wants to ensure that international students coming to New Zealand are motivated by a great education and a great experience but has concerns that current settings are not quite right, with some students still seeing study as a guaranteed pathway to residence and some students being exploited by unscrupulous people.
The Government wants to ensure it has the facts and the latest information before making any policy decisions. This consultation provides an opportunity for interested parties to provide their feedback.
Consultation on the draft International Education Strategy
At the same time, MBIE is also consulting on changes to international education settings, Education New Zealand is consulting on the Government’s draft of the International Education Strategy 2018-2030.
Minister of Education Chris Hipkins has released a final draft of the International Education Strategy 2018-2030 on Saturday, June 2, which is seeking to take a broad look at international education and its role in an equitable, high-quality New Zealand education system over the coming decade.
Education Minister Chris Hipkins
The new strategy replaces the 2011 Leadership Statement for International Education and is organised under three key goals – Delivering an Excellent Education and Student Experience, Achieving Sustainable Growth and Developing Global Citizens. It includes specific actions which will help deliver on these goals.
“The draft International Education Strategy signals our commitment to offering all international students who study in New Zealand a high-quality education and a positive experience. This means putting student wellbeing at the centre of our strategy,” Mr Hipkins said.
The International Student Wellbeing Strategy, released in 2017, is embedded within the draft strategy and further builds on a commitment to international students being safe, welcome and well and valued for their contribution to New Zealand.
The respondents can make their submissions at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/B78H6BF
The international education draft strategy consultation will end on Friday, June 22.