Open for immigrants

Chester Borrows

Wanganui is one of the provincial centres ideally situated to make the most of changes to immigration regulations.

The Government has announced incentives to get skilled immigrants coming to New Zealand to move to provincial centres instead of Auckland.

Under the scheme, effective from November, skilled migrants will have bonus points trebled if they apply for residence with a job offer outside Auckland, though they will have to stay in the regions for 12 months instead of three. Anyone starting a business in the provinces will have their Entrepreneur Work Visa points doubled.

Wanganui Mayor Annette Main said regional leaders had been pushing for incentives to direct immigrants to regional centres.

"We suggested to Government that this was one way they could, so I'm pleased they've listened to us," she said.

Things such as the early rollout of ultrafast broadband gave Wanganui an edge, she added.

"It means there are opportunities here for potential immigrants who are operating in that sort of environment already. And we know that some city manufacturers are keen to fill gaps in their middle management structure as a matter of succession planning."

Ms Main said Wanganui stood as an affordable place to live and was centrally located.

"We're talking about people coming to live here, looking for a new life for all the right reasons."

Whanganui MP Chester Borrows said the initiative was "exactly the sort of thing that will suit Wanganui".

Mr Borrows said the policy was aimed at immigrants who had money and were keen to either set-up a new business or relocate an existing one, and provincial centres like Wanganui had much to offer.

"This new policy would give future migrants a chance to cluster around existing industries as well. We are talking about people with energy and money. I believe it's a great incentive."

Mr Borrows said the unveiling of the Wanganui-Manawatu regional growth initiative could provide opportunities for those looking at moving to regional centres.

That study, commissioned by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), is intended to identify sectors and commercial opportunities that have the potential to grow incomes, jobs and investment across the districts.

Initiatives for immigrants to look beyond Auckland are not new. In 2003, the Labour Government announced incentives including a weighting in the points system favouring those intending to move to other areas.