|
|
For a full copy of the report go to http://beehive.govt.nz/sites/all/files/80404v3.pdf
The response below can be attributed to Christopher Blake, Chief Executive, Department of Labour.
The release by the Minister of Immigration of the Pacific Division Review, and his direction that I consider reintegrating all activities of the Division back into Immigration New Zealand, provides clarity around the Government’s priorities for immigration services in the Pacific region. The Minister has reviewed all the information available to him and considers that reintegration of the Division’s activities into the core of Immigration New Zealand would improve services in the Pacific.
I intend to formally consult staff about potential structural changes resulting from the Minister’s direction to consider reintegration, in line with the Department’s agreed processes. In light of this consultation process, no further comment at this stage is appropriate.
I commissioned the Pacific Division review last year to look for solutions to challenges that are unique to the Department. I acknowledge and share the concerns of the Minister about the issues identified in the report.
The report makes 46 practical recommendations for improving the way we do our business in the Pacific region. I have been working with the current Head of Immigration New Zealand and my Strategic Leadership Team to ensure these recommendations are implemented. Work on nearly half of the recommendations has been completed and is well underway on most of the others.
The review also found that the staff are hard-working and committed to their work.
Our role now is to continue to address the issues raised, to complete work on the remaining recommendations and to respond to the Minister’s direction that I consider reintegrating the Pacific Division into the core of Immigration New Zealand.
ENDS
Scathing Pacific immigration report
http://keepingstock.blogspot.com
Dr Jonathan Coleman, Immigration Minister has today released the long-awaited report into the Pacific division of Immigration New Zealand
The media release accompanying the report notes:
“The Pacific Division was the ill-conceived creation of the last Labour Government, set up by the former head of Immigration Mary Anne Thompson. It was never given a clear mandate by Labour; the leadership was poor and the performance has been sub-optimal. Despite previous reports about the Pacific Division the last government failed to take appropriate action. The mess described in this latest report is unacceptable.”
“This latest review has found severe deficiencies across Immigration New Zealand’s Pacific Division. It paints a damning picture of a poorly performing service that was poorly led and lacked a clear strategic mandate. The Division has become isolated from the rest of Immigration New Zealand over time, effectively acting in an autonomous manner which is out of keeping with accepted practice.”
Coleman disagrees. That in itself is refreshing. But not only does he disagree, he’s actually going to do something about it – read this:
Dr Coleman agrees with the report’s authors on the description of problems in the Division. However, he disagrees with the report’s view that on balance the Pacific Division should remain.
“The report does not present a convincing argument for why the Division should be retained. There is well documented evidence of poor performance by the Pacific Division over an extended period. The Division has been poorly led and has assumed an unmandated role that has resulted in serious dysfunction.”
“This situation has simply gone on for too long. It is clear to me that effective immigration services cannot be delivered by the Pacific Division in its current configuration.”
1. The Minister of Immigration will direct the CEO of the Department of Labour to consider re-integrating all activities of the Pacific Division back into the core of Immigration New Zealand. This will ensure that there are clear lines of accountability and that the workings of the Pacific Division are aligned with the rest of Immigration New Zealand.
2. The Minister of Immigration will appoint an independent advisor to report to him on the Chief Executive’s actions in relation to the Pacific Division and to monitor service performance.
