The Minister of Immigration, Lianne Dalziel, is making ad hoc changes to Returning Residents' Visa policy when there is virtually no evidence of abuse of the existing rules, says Opposition Immigration spokesperson Marie Hasler.

"Ms Dalziel shows little understanding or sympathy for the situation of many new migrants.

"In some cases, new permanent residents still have business and family commitments elsewhere, but the vast majority will eventually demonstrate their commitment to New Zealand.

"The Minister's actions are narrow and shortsighted and send the wrong signal to potential migrants.

"New Zealand needs investment and entrepreneurial migrants. We should be welcoming these people by making it as easy as possible to invest in New Zealand, not making the rules more rigid and effectively driving them elsewhere," Ms Hasler said.

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