New Zealand gains out of Australia's loss

Punjab Newsline Network
Tuesday, 01 June 2010
By Amandeep Kaur
HAMILTON(NEW ZEALAND): Having witnessed a couple of racial crime cases in the past and tough immigration stance, Australia faces the risk of loosing its reputation of a hot destination for foreign students, especially from India.

Indian students looking to study and live work in Australia will be affected by Australian visa restrictions.

Australia's disadvantage, in this context, is proving to be an advantageous cuisine for the nearby country, New Zealand, which has started attracting more international students as compared to past year.

New Zealand, which has also improved upon its employment track record, this year, is looking ahead to gain many more ways. Besides gaining in new admissions, New Zealand is also expecting the migration of a fair number of Indian-origin students, who are in the middle of their studies or careers in Australia. Indians were largely victims among most of the racial crime cases being reported in Australia thus far.

New Zealand Association for Migration and Investment Inc (NZAMI) former Chairman and one of leading immigration consultant companies Pathways to New Zealand's Managing Director Richard Howard says that they have started receiving many inquiries from people of Indian origin in Australia to migrate to Kiwi land.

He cautioned those keen to migrate or study in New Zealand against falling into the trap of unscrupulous or ill-informed and non-licensed immigration agents. He said that with a team of five licensed immigration advisors Pathways to New Zealand had been providing expert and honest education and immigration advice to people from over 75 different countries since its establishment in 1992.

"In our work we have become increasingly concerned about the reputation and prestige of the communities we have been dealing with.

In recent times we have counselled many Indian students in particular who have suffered tremendously by being poorly advised on their New Zealand studies by non-licensed or unreliable immigration or education agents. Many of these hardworking and committed students have had their dreams of a future life in New Zealand ruined and have returned back to India in disappointment. This outcome is not what we wish to see and causes great distress with adverse financial and employment impacts for both the student, their families and their local communities," said Richard Howard.

He appealed the communities in New Zealand to share in the collective responsibility that they jointly work together to ensure that the young people from their homeland coming to New Zealand were well advised and well supported and that New Zealand maintains its reputation as a friendly and welcoming country.

Source:http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/new-zealand-gains-out-australias-loss/20818