The Government's lead economic adviser has warned a new policy aimed at attracting more migrants to Wanganui will achieve nothing.
Documents released under the Official Information Act state Treasury told Finance Minister Bill English on July 16 that the new measures were unlikely to help regional development.
The policy went to Cabinet for approval on July 20 and an increase in bonus points on residency requests was announced on July 26.
Under the revised scheme, skilled workers who take jobs in the regions or set up businesses there will get additional points to help their residency requests.
Pressed on how many migrants might be attracted to the regions by the policy change, Prime Minister John Key said: "We can't tell you exactly. It will make it certainly more attractive ... I do know that there is capacity in the regions, that there is demand in the regions."