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NEW Zealand will accept up to 50,000 new residents in the year ending June 2005, Immigration Minister Paul Swain announced last month.
The Government's immigration planning cycle aims for an intake of 45,000 a year in the current period 2003 to 2006.
There is an allowance to approve an additional 5,000 if necessary. This year's higher target is to make up for a shortfall in the year to end-June. The New Zealand Immigration Service (NZIS) is forecasting 39,000 approvals for the year just ended.
It puts this year's decline in approvals down to a reduction in the average family size of applications, the lapsing of lower quality applications when the new skilled migrant category was introduced last December, and improved detection of fraudulent applications.
"The whole of New Zealand benefits from immigration, particularly when we're approving quality migrants who'll settle well and make a real contribution to our economy and society," Mr Swain said.
"Given New Zealand's tight labour market and demand both for and from skilled workers, the immigration service will be aiming to approve applications to the upper end of the range."
Residence approvals for the next year will continue to focus on skilled/business migrants, who comprise 60 per cent of the intake. The growing number of people approved for residence from work-to-residence policies will also be included in the skilled/business stream.
The family sponsored stream will make up 30 per cent of the intake.
"Immigration is always a balancing act between stimulating the economy and recognising New Zealand's ability to absorb new migrants - be they from Great Britain, the US, Asia, the South Pacific or elsewhere," Mr Swain said.