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Best time to emigrate

THERE has never been a better time to emigrate to New Zealand. That is the view of Bruce Burrows, who heads New Zealand's immigration service in Europe, Africa and the Americas.

The skilled migrant passmark at 100, is as low as it is ever going to be. Another incentive is New Zealand's buoyant economy.

It was a factor behind one of the last acts of the old year - an extension to New Zealand's skills shortage lists, both in occupation and geographical need terms.

It was a roller coaster year for migration policy change, which also saw the service's London branch spreading its wings.

"We probably put in 50 per cent more appearances at events in 2004 than previously, and we're likely to add more venues in 2005.

"Also, having had more and more liaison with New Zealand employers in 2004, we will probably start to attend events like construction shows with employers as well as the more generic information events, which have traditionally been our market," Mr Burrows said.

All this will add to the opportunities that potential migrants have to find out more about New Zealand.

Mr Burrows stressed the importance of having a job offer, but sees a brighter horizon than recently for those who don't have a job offer.

"After a difficult period where we were moving from a standing start to get the process up and running, and the initial bulge is still working its way through, I think 2005 will see the new policy process settle down in terms of speed.. By the middle of 2005, the system should be humming along at full capacity.

"We've always given priority to people with job offers but people without one have had to wait in a queue. What I hope will happen in 2005 is that the length of time that people without job offers have to wait, will shorten as the system catches up," he said.