Perhaps a growing cynicism comes with age, but it seems to me that government's fixation on short-term economic gain is reflected [in immigration matters], as actively marketing NZ as a quality study destination, where qualifications which meet immigration criteria can lead to residence.

But, the marketing push omits to advise that graduates of many of the government regulated and moderated courses will be denied residence on the basis that although the qualification is recognised, there are very few jobs relevant to the more popular qualifications which INZ will accept as being skilled.

Consequently, keen young international graduates, of courses established by government agencies, find themselves, after several years of studies and in some cases 100s of 1000s of dollars of student fees, unable to meet the ever-changing reinterpretations of what constitutes 'skilled employment'.

A recent example brought to us was for a young man with 5 years of NZ studies and 5 years of relevant experience as a Manager of an Auckland supermarket with 12 staff, was deemed by INZ to not be a Retail Manager because:

• in the opinion of the case officer, because his Auckland supermarket is part of a franchise, even the in-store activities such as recruitment must be managed by the Christchurch based franchisor
• he does not carry out store design and staff uniform design,
• he is not writing marketing plans and policies

These sweeping generalisations show a disappointing ignorance of the NZ retail industry and a strong bias against franchises of all types. We were keen to appeal the decision, but unfortunately the applicant was so shattered by the INZ attitude, that he has found alternative employment and another good employer is left with a store without a Manager; a store which will never be able to employ any migrant wishing to proceed to residence.

Other positions, apparently on the current hit list by INZ include Restaurant Managers, Chefs and Cooks. And franchises should not even think of employing migrants needing an offer of skilled employment, because, in the words of the above INZ officer, 'we do not accept the claims that the operations of a local supermarket deviate from those of any other [fast food] franchise establishment'. Read More