New Zealand’s immigration settings were called into question as Chris Luxon, David Seymour and Priyanca Radhakrishnan turned up at an election event for the Kiwi-Indian diaspora on October 2, 2023.
The National Party’s prime ministerial candidate pitched for an open work visa for overseas nurses to be able to come to the country and look for jobs to help deal with critical healthcare shortages.
“We think, for example, [of allowing] registered nurses from around the world…to be able to come here for six months without a job, bring their family with them, and find a job,” Luxon said.
“And we actually pay them $10,000 to relocate them. We have got to do similarly with doctors, we’ve got to make sure that we actually have a competitive offering here.”
‘Vote 2023: Election Townhall’ was organised jointly by The Indian Weekender, Auckland Indian Association Inc and New Zealand Indian Central Association Inc to coincide with Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary on Monday.
A chunk of the questions from more than 250 people in attendance revolved around immigration and law and order.
Seymour made the case for his proposal to charge $3,500 to cover for medical expenses under ACT’s Unite Visa, which promises parents and grandparents of migrants a longer stay in Aotearoa.
“…because if there’s a big bill, because if they [visitors] have a stroke, for example, may go into hospital for many months, then who pays that bill?
“...if we get big hospital bills from parents category visa holders, then the taxpayer is going to get angry. And the next thing you know, there'll be a political backlash, and the parent category visa will be under threat.”
Labour’s Priyanka Radhakrishnan pointed to polls saying a vote for National or ACT might bring into play Winston Peters, who she suggested has traditionally been unfavourable for immigration reforms.
“Let me also just quickly address the point that Seymour made around income caps for the parent category that National closed and we reopened…
“….because that was the bottom line for New Zealand First [in an earlier coalition with Labour]. So choose wisely because the vote for National or ACT is a vote for New Zealand First, as well, as a coalition.”
Luxon brought up the issue of bilateral relations between India and New Zealand, which he said have deteriorated during the six years of Labour government.
“Actually, the Brits, the Europeans, and the Canadians made pretty good progress, as well. I doubt we picked up the telephone and actually did any business because we were so obsessed with ourselves in a very inward-looking way.”
Seymour also backed the case for firming up relations between Wellington and New Delhi, but with a caveat.
“I believe that in connection with Mr. Modi's government, New Zealand should be sending more trade missions to India. But smart ones. Smart missions that understand that we won't be able to do a deal until the dairy companies of India understand that there are greater benefits in doing business with New Zealand than losses.
“As the old saying goes, a fisherman sees another fisherman from afar. Well, India and New Zealand, two democracies, which are far apart and distant, but close in spirit, close in belief, close in warmth… we must build that closeness with greater economic ties.”
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