Minister Launches New Look Website For Immigration

Employers, educators, migrants, visitors and students will now find it much easier to navigate the Department of Labour’s immigration service website thanks to a recent revamp.

Paul Swain, Minister of Immigration and Information Technology, launched the new-look site at the service’s Wellington office this afternoon and was one of the first to have a virtual tour.

He said: “The internet is a vital tool in ensuring New Zealand has the right people and skills to enable the country to move forward. If we have these, then we have the capability to sustain and drive future growth.”

The first stage of the overhaul was completed in May and aimed at providing migrants, visitors and overseas students more information and new interactive options. Since then, the number of website visits has increased by more than 70 percent.

The second stage, which was revealed today, is aimed at New Zealand’s employers, the education sector, immigration consultants and support organisations seeking to help migrants.

Consequently, there is now information on the website for New Zealand organisations wishing to employ, educate, advise or support migrants as well as information for migrants wishing to live, work, study, invest and visit here.

“Immigration is broadening its activities to better understand the opportunities open to migrants here and to attract people from overseas who have the skills and capabilities to contribute to our communities,” Mr Swain said.

“The internet is a cost effective and efficient channel to do this and can be accessed around the world at any time to find out about working and living here. New Zealand organisations can also use the website to quickly understand immigration issues from their perspective.”

The website, which was redeveloped with the support EDS, Intergen and Gen-i, also reflects Immigration’s long term strategy called Customised Service.

“Customised Service is about building relationships, understanding customer needs, tailoring the way services and information are provided, teamwork and making high quality decisions to get the best outcomes for those people who want to live and work in New Zealand and for New Zealand,“ Mr Swain added.

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