A man who posed as a licensed immigration adviser and took money from vulnerable would-be migrants is appealing against his sentence.

So predictable has Winston Peters become in timing his beating of the anti-immigration drum near an election that you can almost set your watch by it, writes John Armstrong.

They were four generations of one family, ranging in age from 98 to a few weeks, united by the desire for sanctuary and a better life.

A wealthy Auckland businessman, whose links to the National Party led to a minister's resignation, also made a secret $15,000 donation to Labour.

A Dutch tourist slipped away from immigration custody at Christchurch Airport today, prompting a police search.

A video on YouTube is teaching would-be migrants how to get into New Zealand to work while holding a visitor visa.

A ruthless system by which desperate migrants trying to reach Italy by boat across the Mediterranean are charged for "extras", such as lifejackets, food and water.

The Asian population could hit 800,000 in 10 years and more than two-thirds will be living in Auckland, a Chinese conference this weekend will be told.

Editorial: The integrity of this country's immigration system is, of course, very important. But that system must not be applied so austerely as to appear utterly inflexible.

David Cunliffe has tried just about everything to put a dent in the Government's poll ratings without success, writes Brian Rudman. He's now dipping into Winston Peters' murky bag of trick

Labour leader David Cunliffe wants to cut the level of immigration but won't say by how much.

Labour leader David Cunliffe has defended helping a Chicago-based friend buy a house in Omaha, despite saying overseas investors were hurting the housing market.

Rogue dairy farmers exploiting migrant workers have no place in the industry, a senior farming leader says.

John Key said attempts by people smugglers to bring 50 asylum seekers by boat to NZ was not unexpected, and confirmed the Government’s intelligence reporting.

Kiwis leaving for Australia fell to a record low boosting net migration to levels the Reserve Bank says will help drive up house prices and stoke inflation.

Migration pressures which Labour says are contributing to a housing crisis were worse under Helen Clark's Government.

This week's Budget was notable for its carefully telegraphed surpluses and the relatively moderate election sweeteners included in its slightly looser fiscal outlook, writes Bernard Hickey.

With today's Budget expected to herald a return to surpluses - skinny next year but plumper in the following years - it is time to start thinking about what to do with them, writes Brian Fallow.

The Reserve Bank is indicating the removal of restrictions on high loan-to-value home loans may be gradual rather than a now-you-see-it, now-you-don't affair.

The strength of the surge in net immigration will influence both the outlook for interest rates and how long loan-to-value ratio curbs remain in place, says Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Grant Spencer.

Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse has confirmed he was lobbied by Maurice Williamson about rule changes for wealthy foreign investors - as sought by Donghua Liu.

Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse has confirmed that he met with Chinese businessman Donghua Liu, and heard his requests for a change in immigration policy.

Prime Minister John Key laid out the welcome mat for foreigners yesterday and said it was a point of contrast between National and other parties.

Maurice Williamson's lack of judgment is symptomatic of a person who has been cosseted for far too long, writes Kerre McIvor.

The 2013 Census contains a huge amount of fascinating information that highlights the difficulties facing businesses, particularly in the Auckland area, writes Brian Gaynor.