Immigrating to a new country can be stressful and confusing, but a workshop later this month aims to equip those wanting to permanently call New Zealand home.

The free workshop, organised by Welcoming Communities and Cromwell Community House, will feature immigration and employment lawyer Werner van Harselaar, of Wilkinson Rogers Lawyers in Dunedin.

Werner would give an overview of all things immigration-related including work visas, residency, and the New Zealand Governments’ current system and processes, recent changes and the possible costs for people and employers.

Werner van Harselaar. PHOTO: WIlkinson Rogers

“I’ll talk for a period and then there will be what I call speed dating for immigration, or a Q and A,’’ he said.

“Depending on the audience and what advice they need, I’ll cover relevant information.”

Employers, migrants and families were welcome to attend and Werner had a wide range of experience across many different clients, cultures and legal situations to be able to draw upon.

“I’ll talk about people needing a clear pathway to residency - that is, can you get a work visa to start this off, can you bring your family, can you get a job in his area? [You] need to think very hard about what’s going to get you residency . . . and careers that have a good chance.

“For example nursing is almost a guaranteed pathway . . . so [figure out] what’s going to be best for the family, and work hard at that.’’

Dairy farming was also a pathway that had been successful for a client from a Pacific nation who was now farming near Tapanui.

“[People] need advice at the beginning, then there is information and [document] gathering and then more advice again at the end.” 

It was a bit controversial but when it comes to getting a job in New Zealand language was crucial, Werner said.

“[That means] getting out and about and speaking English at home as much as possible.”

For employers wanting to secure a work visa for an immigrant, Werner would explain the accreditation process and costs, along with advertising requirements and having to prove the job could not be fulfilled by a New Zealander. 

Statistics New Zealand provisional population estimates from October 2023, show Central Otago is growing faster than the New Zealand average.

Central Otago’s population grew at 2.6 per cent in the year ended June 2023.

In Central Otago there was a net international migration gain of 190 people, and an internal migration gain of 430 people. This was more than half of Central Otago's population growth (65 per cent) from net internal migration. 

The immigration workshop will be held from 6.30pm to 8.30pm on November 26, at the Cromwell Primary School hall.

Light refreshments will be provided.

For more information contact welcoming communities officer Heather Harries at [email protected]

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