Media Release
6 June 2002

NZIS Is Broken: Let's Fix It!
NZIS Involved In Cover Up

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has called for heads to roll at the New Zealand Immigration Service after its admission that it is investigating cases of repeat marriages of convenience at $20,000 a pop.

“Strange that, because that was the allegation I made yesterday, and within 24 hours, without having been given the details by me, they now claim to be investigating. Maybe not so strange because there are hundreds of cases like this except that NZIS is now admitting the cover up. They have known about such fraudulent activities for a long time but have failed to act on past information, choosing to sweep this under the carpet with other such rip-offs of the New Zealand taxpayer, Mr. Peters said.

“ As I stated in my speech yesterday the New Zealand taxpayer has been funding immigration fraud, facilitated by NZIS failing to take the appropriate investigative action. Most New Zealanders are appalled at the extent to which we have become a “soft touch” for illegal immigrants and I find it particularly strange that this government, which has almost a fetish about consultation on just about every issue – has a single exception – immigration.

“The disarray that exists in immigration policy confirms just how far removed from the experience of ordinary New Zealanders the political and bureaucratic policy making elite has become. The fact is that to a large extent control of New Zealand’s immigrant inflow has been abandoned, Mr. Peters said

“Immigrants beget immigrants because of the priority given to bringing in members of extended families –spouses – parents –siblings – dependent children – Uncle Tom Cobley and all. As a result, the arrival of a single qualified individual can eventually lead to the entry of large numbers of relatives and dependent without any qualifications or obvious benefit to New Zealand. Where in the world can a single parent beneficiary bring in 8 adult relations? Only in New Zealand. Where in the world can a woman be preparing to marry her third Indian husband? Only in New Zealand!

“Frankly, NZIS have been involved in a cover up of their incompetence for years. Their top brass must be held accountable. They must go. That is how we begin to fix it,” Mr. Peters said.

ENDS

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