NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION FOR MIGRATION & INVESTMENT
For release: 31 July 2008

Immigration Advisers Conference To Focus On Adviser Licensing

"Licensed for the future" will be the theme of this week's annual conference of the New Zealand Association for Migration and Investment (NZAMI), the national body representing immigration advisers.

The conference will be the first since the establishment of the Immigration Advisers Authority and the licensing of immigration advisers in May 2008.

The gathering on Friday 1 August at Auckland's 'Sorrento in the Park' will hear presentations from the Minister of Immigration, the Hon. Clayton Cosgrove, Opposition Spokesman for Immigration, Dr the Hon. Lockwood Smith, Meredith Cook, Immigration Advisers Authority, and Lincoln Tan, New Zealand Herald.

Other speakers will include Bernie Waters, Chief Executive of the Migration Institute of Australia and the Migration Agents Registration Authority, and Professor Jacques Poot of Waikato University who will talk on Trans Tasman migration.

“The initial impact of licensing will be a reduction in the number of practising advisers coupled with new industry wide standards of competency, professionalism and ethical behaviour and practice” says Richard Howard, NZAMI Chairman

“While the primary purpose of the legislation is necessarily to protect migrants it is equally important that the legislation supports and directly facilitates business opportunities for advisers. It is the success of licensed advisers which will prove, ultimately, to be the catalyst for a robust and dynamic profession which actually delivers on the outcomes envisaged by the legislation,” Mr Howard adds.
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WHAT: The New Zealand Association for Migration & Investment Conference
THEME: 'Setting the Standards'
WHERE: Sorrento in the Park, One Tree Hill Domain, Auckland
WHEN: Friday 1 August 2008, 9.00 am - 4.00 pm

KEY SPEAKERS:
Meredith Cook, Senior Adviser, Professional Standards, Immigration Advisors Authority (09.30am - 10.10 am)

The Hon. Clayton Cosgrove, Minster of Immigration (11.10 am - 11.50 am)

Dr the Hon. Lockwood Smith, Opposition Spokesman for Immigration
(11.50 am - 12.30 pm)

Lincoln Tan, Senior Reporter, New Zealand Herald
(03.30 pm - 04.00 pm)

Ends

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