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By Lawrence Johnston

SKILLED migrant candidates should not be put off the high passmark of 195 in New Zealand initial selection in the new pool system.
That is the message from the New Zealand Immigration Service (NZIS), following selection of a preliminary group from the new Skilled Migrant category pool.
The seemingly high passmark of 195 points seen in that mid February selection, is unlikely to be the norm, said Kevin Cameron, NZIS London branch Manager.
"The first draw is considered to be a preliminary one to test the system, and it is not expected that the 195 selection mark will be sustained over subsequent draws.
"Also, draws will occur every fortnight, and applications will remain in the pool for three months. So those currently in the pool will get the benefit as the selection mark settles down in subsequent draws," he said.
The Skilled Migrant category which came into effect in December, was designed to enhance the points-based system with a strengthened focus on migrants with attributes and skills that meet New Zealand needs and who will settle well.
It was therefore based on Expressions of Interest (EOIs), which are then submitted to a selection pool and ranked according to total points claimed.
The 126 EOIs preliminary selected, each scoring 195 points or higher, represent 371 people. Since the category opened in December, more than 2,000 EOIs have been registered.
That draws subsequent to last month's one will take place about every fortnight, will give applicants many chances of being selected. It is only if they are not selected within three months from March, that they will be lapsed.
By selecting a small number in a preliminary selection, the NZIS is keen to determine the integrity of the EOIs received, by checking experience, qualifications, job offers and any other matters for which points have been claimed for. After checking, invitations to apply for residence for this group will be issued.
The calibre of EOI exceeded the New Zealand Government's expectations with many scoring well over the 100 minimum points score. Those with the highest points were abundant in the type of skills and experience that New Zealand needs.
Changes to skilled immigration policy were announced by the Government last July following a comprehensive review of the former General Skills category.