Michael Wood's work visa communication clear as mud

Michael Wood hasn't made life easy for work visa applicants. (Image: NZME)

Fri, 10 Mar 2023

After Cyclone Gabrielle smashed its way through New Zealand three weeks ago, many parts of the east coast of the North Island were covered in deep, silty mud. It's everywhere. Covering properties. In houses. In the water system. In the rivers, streams and lakes. The cleanup is going to take months. This week, the government threw some mud of its own into the visa waters. Immigration minister Michael Wood is on record as calling for "easier", "simpler" and "more transparent" visa rules. Yet virtually...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.
Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

World History

‘World’s richest Negro girl’ drew media ridicule and alarm

Sarah Rector was 11 when oil was discovered on land she owned. Cue racist news reports.

The Washington Post 5:00am

Books Review

A haunting and terrible look at Ireland's Great Famine

By 1845, most people relied on a single potato strain – a disaster waiting to happen.

The Wall Street Journal 5:00am

A haunting and terrible look at Ireland's Great Famine

World

'Quite sad': Renters turn to lottery in Spain's housing crisis

44,000 applicants for Madrid apartments, only 64 winners.

Agence France-Presse 15 Mar 2025

'Quite sad': Renters turn to lottery in Spain's housing crisis

Sponsored

The new face of luxury Scotch: Harrison Ford, the Traitors castle and an E-Type Jag

Harrison Ford’s Glenmorangie campaign breaks all the rules.

Glenmorangie Whiskey

Sponsored

Mastering market swings

ETFs can be a "smart" way to build a long-term, diverse portfolio.

Smart

More Economy

Economy

Spending up 3.7% in year, Westpac data says

Westpac’s senior economist, Satish Ranchhod, says spending is "starting to pick up again" after the bank’s data showed a 3.7% annual rise in spending on Westpac-issued credit and debit cards. Westpac's Retail Spending Pulse, released on Friday, showed the upward shift was hel...

Staff reporters 14 Mar 2025