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Employment confidence hammered

Source: stuff.co.nz

By AARON LIM – BusinessDay

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Employment confidence has fallen to a historic low as gloom continues to stalk the job market, according to the Westpac McDermott Miller employment confidence index.

The index fell to 93.2 in the March 2009 quarter, the first time the confidence index has hit a sub-100 level since the survey began in 2004.

“After holding firm through most of 2008, employees are now admitting defeat,” Westpac senior economist Donna Purdue said.

“Continued bad economic news has seen concerns around current employment conditions reach fever pitch, while expectations of future conditions have worsened.”

The survey found 54 percent of respondents said jobs are hard to get, compared to 26 percent in December. A year ago 57 percent of respondents said jobs were plentiful.

In the March quarter, 28 percent of the people surveyed thought jobs would still be hard to find next year.

Purdue said the collapse in perceptions around current employment supported the view that the 0.9 percent rise in employment growth recorded in the December 2008 quarter will be more than unwound in Q1.

“Against the backdrop of perceived poor job opportunities, job security has fallen even further.”

“That is telling for consumer spending going forward. The less secure people are in their jobs, the more conservative their spending decisions are likely to be,” Purdue said.

Perceptions around current and future earnings also suffered, with 25 percent of people expecting to be earning more in a year’s time, down from a net 37 percent in December.

Managing director of McDermott Miller Richard Miller he wasn’t surprised by historic lows in employment confidence given the economic climate.

“It is hard to see employment confidence recovering until New Zealand begins to pull out of recession.”

Queenstown prices plummet

Source: stuff.co.nz

It just got a lot cheaper to visit Queenstown, with hotel prices falling by 35 percent.

Queenstown had the third biggest drop in city hotel prices in the world in the three months to Christmas, according to hotels.com Hotel Price Index.

The index looked at hotel prices for October to December, 2008, compared to the same period the year before.

It revealed hotel prices fell 41 percent in Mumbai, 36 percent Reykjavik, 35 percent in Queenstown, 32 percent in Manila, and 31 percent in Las Vegas.

The website’s president, David Roche, said hoteliers were being forced to lower their prices in order to fill rooms.

“This year really will be the year of the deal.”

The website found hotel prices fell 12 percent globally, in 2008.

On average prices were 1 percent higher than they were five years ago.

Prices in North America had the greatest decline, falling 12 per cent, while Europe shed 10 percent.

Caribbean and South American hotels dropped 7 percent in the final quarter of 2008.

The index tracked the rates paid per hotel room rather than advertised rates, and was based on prices paid by customers at 68,000 hotels across 12,500 locations, hotels.com said.

- AAP

Give migrant workers a fair go!

Source: stuff.co.nz

Whenever there is an economic downturn migrant workers cop it in the neck.

The welcome mat is put down when employers want skilled or unskilled workers in short supply but the rug is pulled away quickly when jobs become scarce.

The latest manifestation of this is a complaint from welder Stephen Bovett that he and other New Zealand workers were made redundant from New Plymouth firm MCK Metals while Filipino welders on work permits were kept on.

Stephen Bovett is furious and most of us will have sympathy for his plight. He has two young children and a mortgage. If anyone is going to be made redundant he says it should be the Filipinos. The issue has been taken up by Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman who says Stephen and his co-workers may not have been treated fairly.

It appears the Filipino workers were employed to do specialist welding but the company later applied for a variation in their agreement with the Department of Labour so these migrant workers could do general welding work. The department agreed and two weeks later the company showed Stephen and others the door with migrant workers taking over their work.

A similar situation developed at CWF Hamilton in Christchurch recently when 29 New Zealand workers were made redundant while migrant workers on work permits were kept on.

The unions involved have taken the side of New Zealand workers and no doubt public opinion will be with this view. But it’s a narrow parochial view which squarely misses the most important point and targets migrant workers who are only here to earn money to feed their families.

Those to blame are neither the migrant workers nor the New Zealanders who are losing their jobs.

Consider this for a moment. Most employers think the free market is their gift from God and the laws of supply and demand are writ in heavenly stone. Until, of course, it doesn’t suit them.

When the supply of labour diminishes, as it has this past decade of low unemployment, then wages should increase. But look at pay rises for New Zealanders in recent years and there is no evidence of any change in our low-wage economy.

The two main obstacles to wage rises are our pro-employer, anti-worker laws which make it very difficult for workers to negotiate collectively, particularly across companies in the same industry, and the readiness of government’s to bring in workers from overseas on low rates of pay.

Most areas of the economy are involved. Orchardists, Southland farmers, Auckland hotels and security companies are just some who have persuaded the government to allow migrant workers in to plug so-called skill shortages. Often it’s simply so employers can continue to enjoy some of the lowest wages in the developed world.

(You might remember these same employers stood by and applauded as National destroyed apprenticeships in the 1990s and then wondered why we have a skills shortage 10 years later).

With this background it’s deeply disappointing to see New Zealand workers and unions attack migrant workers as though they are somehow to blame for New Zealanders losing their jobs when the economy dives. Once here they should be accepted with the same rights to earn a living as anyone else. Don’t migrant workers’ kids have the same right to be fed as New Zealand kids?

Unfortunately the attack on migrant workers is a pattern we’ve seen here many times before.

In the 1970s the government cracked down on Pacific Island overstayers when unemployment rose. The government and employers were very happy to make use of their unskilled labour in the previous decade but a thinly veiled campaign of racism against them was led by politicians as unemployment rose in the 1970s. The infamous “dawn raids” and random stopping of brown-skinned people by the police was a routine part of the Pacific experience of living in Auckland.

The fault doesn’t rest with Stephen Bovett but neither does it rest with the Filipino welders. It rests instead with an economic policy which sees workers as a resource to be used and abused – welcomed when there’s a skills shortage or the need to keep New Zealand wages low but then shunned as soon as an economic downturn arrives.

These migrant workers have often spent their life savings to get to New Zealand in the first place after paying huge fees to various parasitic agents who specialise in trafficking workers for capitalist enterprises. The simple fact is they are here and they deserve a fair go just as did our parents, grandparents or earlier antecedents who themselves were migrants to New Zealand.

Instead of seeing them as the enemy our unions need to show leadership in recognising there is common cause between New Zealand workers and migrant workers. Both groups are victims of uncertainty and exploitation in the unreliable world of the so-called free market. Recognising this is the first step to change.

Pre-Departure Registration and Orientation Seminar

 

Pre-Departure Registration

Filipino emigrants or those leaving the country to settle permanently abroad are required to register with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO). Part of its registration requirements is attendance in the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) to prepare them for settlement overseas. Those who are 12 years old and below are exempt  from attending the PDOS. They must, however, be registered, even if by proxy. Children of emigrants, aged 13 to 19, are required to attend the Peer Counseling Program to  help facilitate their adjustment to a new environment.

The registration of Filipino emigrants started in 1981, or a year after the CFO was created. The registration process generates an information resource on Filipino emigrants, which provides  reference for policy formulation and program development.

Pre-Departure Orientation Seminars (PDOS)

Country-specific pre-departure orientation seminars are conducted for departing Filipino emigrants to address their adjustment concerns in their destination countries. In these seminars, various topics are discussed such as:

• Travel regulations;
• Immigration procedures;
• Cultural differences;
• Settlement concerns;
• Employment and social security concerns; and
• Rights and obligations of Filipino migrants.

 

Registration Guidelines

Reservation must be done at least five working days before the target date of registration and attendance in the CFO PDOS/Peer Counseling.

 

 Please call tel. no(s) : 563-1965 or 561-8321 loc. 103.  Reservation hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please provide the following information:

􀂃Registrant(s)’ name(s);

􀂃

􀂃

􀂃

􀂃

Note: Reservation is subject to availability of schedule. 

 

Relationship with petitionerVisa classification; andCountry of destination;Age(s) of registrant(s);

Requirements

 The following are required for the registration of an emigrant :

1.

2.

 

 

3.

 

 

4.

 

 

5.

 

 

6.

 

 

7.

 

 

8.

 

 

9.

 

 

10.

 

 

11.

 

 

Attendance in the PDOS or peer counseling session.Payment of PhP400.00 registration fee; andDuly completed registration form (downloadable at www.cfo.gov.ph);Photocopy of employment contract (for immigrant workers);

Original and photocopy of letter of approval for Work to Residence visa (for New Zealand-bound

Original and photocopy of Immigrant Data Summary (for USA-bound emigrants);Original and photocopy of Confirmation of Permanent Residence (for Canada-bound emigrants);One (1) valid identification card with photograph;One (1) 2×2 or passport-size photograph ;Original and photocopy of visa;Original valid passport;

emigrants);

Schedule

MANILA OFFICE – PDOS SESSIONS MORNING SESSION AFTERNOON SESSION

USA and other countries Monday to Friday 10:00 a.m. Monday to Friday 02:00 p.m.

 Canada Monday to Friday 09:30 a.m. No session

 Peer Counseling Monday to Friday 10:00 a.m. Monday to Friday 02:00 p.m.

Emigrants who are exempted from attending the PDOS/Peer Counseling, and Filipino spouses or partners of foreign nationals who have completed the CFO Guidance and Counseling Program may register at CFO Manila or CFO Cebu Office on walk-in basis between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.  Registration and attendance in PDOS/Peer Counseling in Cebu remain on walk-in basis. Emigrants may call up (032) 255-5253 for registration requirements and schedule at CFO Cebu.

 

 

 

Fees

Pursuant to CFO Board Resolution No. 2006-02, CFO fees are increased effective 01 August 2006 as follows:
Registration Fee	PhP 400.00
Replacement of lost  Guidance and  Counseling Certificate	PhP 800

 

Contact

Contact Numbers

CFO Manila Tel. Nos.: (632) 562-3848, (632) 561-8321 ext. 104, 105, 201- 203Fax No.: (632) 561-8332 E-mail Add.: info@cfo.gov.ph;                  mieo@cfo.gov.ph CFO Cebu Telefax : (032) 255-5253 E-mail Add.: cfocebu@cfo.gov.ph

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXEMPTION FROM PDOS/PEER COUNSELING

 

Children 12 years old and below are exempt from attending the PDOS. They must, however, be registered, even if by proxy. The following additional documents are required if the proxy is not the legal/natural/adoptive parent of the registrant.

􀀹

􀀹

Special Power of Attorney or notarized authorization letter from the parent/s or guardian/s authorizing the proxy to register the minor children.

The following emigrants are exempt from attending

 

the PDOS and registering in person with the CFO, provided that they are registered by a proxy:One (1) valid identification card with photograph of the proxy; and

Children 12 years old and below are exempt from attending the PDOS. They must, however, be registered, even if by proxy. The following additional documents are required if the proxy is not the legal/natural/adoptive parent of the registrant.

􀀹

􀀹

Special Power of Attorney or notarized authorization letter from the parent/s or guardian/s authorizing the proxy to register the minor children.

The following emigrants are exempt from attending

 

the PDOS and registering in person with the CFO, provided that they are registered by a proxy:One (1) valid identification card with photograph of the proxy; and􀂃Those who are 65 years old and above;

􀂃

Those incapacitated due to permanent or long-term ailments; and

􀂃

Those with mental illness or psychiatric disability.

In the registration of the above immigrants, the proxy is required to present the following requirements in

addition to the usual requirements:

 

􀀹

Medical certificate/report (except those 65 years old and above);

􀀹

Letter of authorization from the emigrant (if applicable to the case); and

􀀹

Original and photocopy of a valid identification card with photograph of the proxy.

 

Source: CFO

INZ Manila Branch

Source: immigration.govt.nz

NEW VISA FEES

VISA TYPE	FEE
VISITOR VISA For Philippine Passport Holders
59 days and below	NO FEE
60 days and above	Php 3,600
For Other Nationalities	Php 3,600
For Palau Citizens	Php 2,750
LIMITED PURPOSE VISA
For Study Purpose (Philippine Citizens / Residents)	Php 5,500
Others (60 days stay & above) (Philippine Citizens / Residents)	Php 3,600
For Study Purpose (Palau Citizens)	Php 4,150
Others (Palau Citizens)	Php 2,750
Visa for the Purpose of RSE	Php 5,500
STUDENT VISA
For Philippine Citizens / Residents	Php 5,500
For Palau Citizens	Php 4,150
WORK VISA
Work to Residence – Talent / LTSSL	Php 6,600
Work Visa – Partnership (Partner of New Zealand citizen/resident)	Php 7,700
Work Visa – Essential Skills / AIP / Partner of a Worker (Philippine Citizens / Residents)	Php 5,500
Work Visa – Essential Skills / AIP / Partner of a Worker (Palau Citizens)	Php 4,950
TRANSIT	Php 3,300
RETURNING RESIDENT’S VISA	Php 3,850
LABEL TRANSFER (to new passport)	Php 2,200

Effective 12 January 2009

TRANSFER OF VISA CHECKLIST

A Guide for Applicants

It is important that you provide all the relevant information requested below so we can accept and process your application promptly. If any of the following are not received, the application may not be accepted for assessment.

All documents not in English must be translated by a translation service. A translation service may NOT certify documents as original.

Application forms can be downloaded and other relevant information may be found on our website www.immigration.govt.nz.

1. APPLICATION FORM

A “Confirmation of a Visa or Permit” must be fully completed in English. Answer each question on the form and continue that question on a separate sheet if necessary.

2. APPLICATION FEE

See separate Fee List.

3. PASSPORT OR TRAVEL DOCUMENT

Applicants must supply their current valid passport and either their old passport with a visa endorsed or evidence they reported a lost or stolen passport to the police or their Embassy.

4. LODGING YOUR APPLICATION

You can request your application to be collected by courier from anywhere in the Philippines by calling (2) 845-9222. You will be charged a return courier fee to collect the passport and have it returned to you after processing.

Applications can be lodged in person from 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday at the VIA center, Unit 1003, 10/F One Corporate Plaza, 845 Antonio Arnaiz Ave (Pasay Rd), Makati City. You will need to pay a one way courier fee to have your passport returned. The courier fees are outlined below:

	Lodgments thru the Call Center		Direct Lodgments thru the VIA Center
	Roundtrip Rates (includes pickup & return)	One Way Rates (pickup of additional documents)	One Way Rates (applies to return of processed passports)
Individual	PHP 350	PHP 175	PHP 200
Family/Group*	PHP 500	PHP 250	PHP 300

* applies when there is more than 1 passport associated with the application being returned to the same address

NOTE: Please prepare separate payment for courier/postage fee in the form of either cash or cheque payable to PIASI for those applications with Direct Lodgements thru the VIA Centre.

Manila Branch Visa Application Centre Unit 901, 9/F One Corporate Plaza 845 Antonio Arnaiz Ave (Pasay Rd) Makati City. Web address: www.immigration.govt.nz/branch/manila

LODGING APPLICATIONS FROM NEW ZEALAND: You can courier applications directly to the VIA Center at the address on the header. You need to indicate how and where you want the documents returned, either to the applicant in the Philippines or to the representative in New Zealand. If we return the documents to the applicant in the Philippines, the applicant needs to pay the One Way Rates as above. The applicant can pay collect. If you would like us to return the documents back to New Zealand, please provide a prepaid courier fee.

5. PROCESSING TIME

We aim to process your application within 10 working days. If you application will take longer we will advise you of this in 10 working days.

VISITOR VISA APPLICATION CHECKLIST

A guide for applicants

It is important that you provide all the relevant information requested below so we can accept and process your application promptly. If any of the following are not received, the application may not be accepted for assessment.

All documents not in English must be translated by a translation service. A translation service may NOT certify documents as original.

Application forms can be downloaded and other relevant information may be found on our website www.immigration.govt.nz.

1. APPLICATION FORM

An “Application for Visiting New Zealand” (NZIS 1017) and Supplementary Questionnaire to accompany application for visitor visa must be fully completed in English. Answer each question on the form and continue that question on a separate sheet if necessary. A couple and their dependant children 19 years of age and under may be included on the same application form.

2. APPLICATION FEE

See separate Fee List.

3. PHOTO

One recent passport sized photo (must be less than 6 months old) of each person included in the application.

4. PASSPORT OR TRAVEL DOCUMENT

Passports must be valid for 3 months beyond intended date of departure from New Zealand. We will accept the application with a certified copy of the bio-data page of the passport but we will require the actual passport for 24 hours before a visa is issued.

5. EVIDENCE OF SUPPORT WHILE VISITING NEW ZEALAND

EITHER Evidence of funds to support yourself which must be a minimum of NZ$1,000.00 per month of stay. This can be in the form of bank records, cash, traveller’s cheques or credit card statements.

OR

A “Sponsorship Form” (NZIS1025) completed by a New Zealand citizen or resident along with evidence of their ability to support you while you are in New Zealand.

6. ADDITIONAL SUPPORTING INFORMATION

If travelling on business or attending a conference, evidence of business contacts in New Zealand such as invitations or correspondence with New Zealand business parties are required. This information is not required if you have travelled previously to New Zealand on business.

To enable us to make an informed decision, please provide any additional information which proves you will be a genuine short-term visitor to New Zealand, and shows you have incentive to return to your home country after visiting New Zealand such as:

· A letter of leave from your employer or school. Letters from an employer should include annual income, length of employment and position held. Also, it must be on company letterhead, bearing the stamp of the company and the signature of the head of the company or the responsible person of the personnel department. If you are self-employed, business or company registration certificate showing proof of ownership and company bank statements must be submitted.

· Evidence of any previous travel i.e. clear copy of visas on passport.

· Your travel/flight bookings/itinerary if available

Children under the age of 16 years travelling alone or with only 1 parent must provide a written letter of consent from both parents which include the parents contact details and identification.

7. X-RAY FOR TUBERCULOSIS SCREENING

Applicants for temporary entry to New Zealand must have an acceptable standard of health

All applicants from a high incidence TB country (which includes the Philippines) intending to be in New Zealand for more than 6 months must undergo TB screening and provide a Chest X-ray certificate (NZIS1096) completed by an approved INZ Panel Doctor. Please check our website to find the Panel Doctor nearest to you. Pregnant women and children below the age of 11 years are not required to have a chest x-ray.

8. OTHER REQUIREMENTS

FULL MEDICAL: Applicants intending to spend more than 12 months in New Zealand are required to supply a full medical certificate (NZIS1007). Medical reports must be completed by an approved INZ Panel Doctor. Please check our website to find the Panel Doctor nearest to you.

POLICE CLEARANCES: Applicants over 17 years intending to remain in New Zealand for more than 24 months are required to supply a police clearance certificate from their country of residence and any country the applicant has been in for five years or more since turning 17.

9. LODGING YOUR APPLICATION

You can request your application to be collected by courier from anywhere in the Philippines by calling (2) 845-9222. You will be charged a return courier fee to collect the passport and have it returned to you after processing.

Applications can be lodged in person from 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday at the VIA Center, Unit 901, 9/F One Corporate Plaza, 845 Antonio Arnaiz Ave (Pasay Rd), Makati City. You will need to pay a one way courier fee to have your passport returned. The courier fees are outlined below:

	Lodgments thru the Call Center		Direct Lodgments thru the VIA Center
	Roundtrip Rates (includes pickup & return)	One Way Rates (pickup of additional documents)	One Way Rates (applies to return of processed passports)
Individual	PHP 350	PHP 175	PHP 200
Family/Group*	PHP 500	PHP 250	PHP 300

· applies when there is more than 1 passport associated with the application being returned to the same address

NOTE: Please prepare separate payment for courier/postage fee in the form of either cash or cheque payable to PIASI for those applications with Direct Lodgements thru the VIA Centre.

LODGING APPLICATIONS FROM NEW ZEALAND: You can courier applications directly to the VIA Center at the address on the header. You need to indicate how and where you want the documents returned, either to the applicant in the Philippines or to the representative in New Zealand. If we return the documents to the applicant in the Philippines, the applicant needs to pay the One Way Rates as above. The applicant can pay collect. If you would like us to return the documents back to New Zealand, please provide a prepaid courier fee.

10. PROCESSING TIME

We aim to process your application within 10 working days. If your application will take longer we will advise you of this in 10 working days. In some cases we may take up to 2 months to process your application, for example, if your medical certificate requires referral to New Zealand.

VISITOR VISA (Parent and Grandparent Multiple Entry) APPLICATION CHECKLIST

A Guide for Applicants

A new multiple visitor’s visa allows multiple visits by parents and grandparents of New Zealand citizens or residents for up to six months, totalling no more than 18 months in any 3 years.

It is important that you provide all the relevant information requested below so we can accept and process your application promptly. If any of the following are not received, the application may not be accepted for assessment.

All documents not in English must be translated by a translation service. A translation service may NOT certify documents as original.

Application forms can be downloaded and other relevant information may be found on our website www.immigration.govt.nz.

1. APPLICATION FORM

An “Application for Visiting New Zealand” (NZIS 1017) and Supplementary Questionnaire to accompany application for visitor visa must be fully completed in English. Answer each question on the form and continue that question on a separate sheet if necessary.

Note: Applicants’ children must complete a separate application for visitor visa and may not apply under this category.

2. APPLICATION FEE

The current application fee for this category is 4,550 Philippines Pesos. This fee applies to all Philippine Passport holders and other nationalities except for Palau Citizens which is 3,500 Philippines Pesos. The fee can be paid by bank draft made payable to “New Zealand Immigration Service”.

The application fee is a processing fee and is NON-REFUNDABLE regardless of the outcome of your visa application.

3. PHOTO

One recent passport sized photo (must be less than 6 months old) of each person included in the application.

4. PASSPORT OR TRAVEL DOCUMENT

Passports must be valid for 3 months beyond intended date of departure from New Zealand.

5. EVIDENCE OF SUPPORT WHILE VISITING NEW ZEALAND

A “Sponsorship Form for Visiting New Zealand” (NZIS1025) completed by a New Zealand citizen or resident in which the sponsor guarantees to meet the cost of the applicant(s) maintenance, accommodation, health care and repatriation.

Manila Branch Visa Application Centre Unit 901, 9/F One Corporate Plaza 845 Antonio Arnaiz Ave (Pasay Rd) Makati City. Web address: www.immigration.govt.nz/branch/manila

6. EVIDENCE OF THE NEW ZEALAND IMMIGRATION OR CITIZENSHIP STATUS OF THE SPONSOR

A certified true copy of the sponsor’s New Zealand residence permit or returning residents visa (personal details page and the page with the immigration label or stamp on it) or certified true copy of the sponsor’s New Zealand passport (personal details page) or citizenship certificate.

7. EVIDENCE OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN APPLICANT AND THE SPONSORING CHILD/GRANDCHILD

Birth certificate of the sponsoring child duly authenticated by National Statistics Office (NSO).

8. EVIDENCE OF ACCEPTABLE STANDARD OF HEALTH

Applicants are required to supply a full medical certificate (NZIS1007) including X-ray. Medical reports must be completed by an approved INZ Panel Doctor. Please check our website to find the Panel Doctor nearest to you.

9. LODGING YOUR APPLICATION

You can request your application to be collected by courier from anywhere in the Philippines by calling (2) 845-9222. You will be charged a return courier fee to collect the passport and have it returned to you after processing.

Applications can be lodged in person from 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday at the VIA Center, Unit 901, 9/F One Corporate Plaza, 845 Antonio Arnaiz Ave (Pasay Rd), Makati City. You will need to pay a one way courier fee to have your passport returned. The courier fees are outlined below:

	Lodgments thru the Call Center		Direct Lodgments thru the VIA Center
	Roundtrip Rates (includes pickup & return)	One Way Rates (pickup of additional documents)	One Way Rates (applies to return of processed passports)
Individual	PHP 350	PHP 175	PHP 200
Family/Group*	PHP 500	PHP 250	PHP 300

· applies when there is more than 1 passport associated with the application being returned to the same address

NOTE: Please prepare separate payment for courier/postage fee in the form of either cash or cheque payable to PIASI for those applications with Direct Lodgements thru the VIA Centre.

LODGING APPLICATIONS FROM NEW ZEALAND: You can courier applications directly to the VIA Center at the address on the header. You need to indicate how and where you want the documents returned, either to the applicant in the Philippines or to the representative in New Zealand. If we return the documents to the applicant in the Philippines, the applicant needs to pay the One Way Rates as above. The applicant can pay collect. If you would like us to return the documents back to New Zealand, please provide a prepaid courier fee.

10. PROCESSING TIME

We aim to process your application within 7 working days. If you application will take longer we will advise you of this in 7 working days. In some cases we may take up to 2 months to process your application, for example, if your medical certificate requires referral to New Zealand.

Note: Fill-out the

SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTIONNAIRE TO ACCOMPANY

APPLICATION FOR VISITOR VISA

Auckland power returns to most areas after huge outage – reports

There are reports power has returned to most of Auckland’s eastern and central suburbs affected by today’s major outage.

nzherald.co.nz readers report power has returned in the suburbs of Meadowbank, Parnell, Orakei, Remuera, Newmarket, Greenlane, Three kings, Ellerslie and Penrose.

Auckland was hit by a major power outage around 1pm today, stretching from the suburb of Mt Wellington to inner city Newmarket.

Inspector Chris Tait said power to traffic lights is starting to come back on but there are already moderate flows on the Southern motorway between New Market and Penrose heading north.

But nzherald.co.nz readers say the lights were still out at the intersection of Mt Eden and Balmoral Road at 3pm.

Meanwhile at Greenlane Hospital some appointments have had to be cancelled.

Auckland District Health Board spokeswoman Hayley Callard said most out-patient clinics rely on computers and those have had to be re-scheduled.

She said critical services are still up and running because the hospital has its own generators.

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The cut happened after a substation in Penrose went down.

Transpower spokeswoman Adele Fitzpatrick said the power cut hit 74,000 homes and businesses.

She said one of the three transformers was out of action due to routine maintenance. The other two were handling the load until a malfunction in one of them that caused the third to trip.

Ms Fitzpatrick said the cause of the malfunction is not yet known and it was not clear when the power would be restored.

Earlier reader Adam Collins wrote that “the power is out from the street lights in Mt Wellington to Market Road lights”.

Fire communications shift commander Mau Barbara said firefighters have rescued four sets of people stuck in lifts as a result of the power cut.

He said two were in the Central Park complex in Penrose, another was in the Wella building in Ellerslie, while the fourth was on Newmarket’s Broadway.
Mr Barbara also said fire fighters have responded to 15 alarm activations, some of which were burglar alarms mistaken for fire alarms.

He said fire fighters were also called to power lines on fire in Parnell and a smoking transformer in Ellerslie.

Police confirmed traffic lights were out across east Auckland and have warned drivers to be careful.

“The areas reported are from Onehunga to Orakei including Balmoral and Greenlane,” said Inspector Kerry Watson.

He said when traffic lights are down, the give way to the right rule should be used until power is restored.

Traffic lights were also reported to be out in St Helliers, Kohimarama and Mission Bay.

Police said too many sets of traffic lights were out to arrange officers on points duty.

At 1pm shops in Remuera closed doors and were in darkness.

Cameron Brewer, general manager of the Newmarket Business Association, said the power meltdown was a disaster for local business owners.

“Businesses in Newmarket have been without power since just after 1pm,” Mr Brewer said.

“With the sales and fine weather there were a lot of people in Newmarket and this couldn’t come have come at worst time for local businesses.”

He said some shopowners had closed, others were milling around hoping the power would return.

Newstalk ZB reported Sylvia Park shopping mall in Mount Wellington has been evacuated.

Staff at the deLongi premises in Mt Wellington were being sent home because of the outage.

Source: NZ Herald

Great getaways near Auckland

You’re back at work after a nice couple of weeks lazing around on the beach in the sun … you’re trapped indoors, the boss is making
unreasonable demands and your next holiday suddenly seems a long time away. The answer is make the most of your weekends and take short breaks that are right on your doorstep.

Here are some of the best destinations within easy reach of Auckland.

Waiwera
Where: 40 minutes north of Auckland on SH1.

Why: Its swisher, gentrified neighbour Matakana may hog the attention but there’s something to be said for parking up in seaside Waiwera for a few nights. It’s right on a safe swimming beach, as well as, of course, the famous Waiwera hot pools. The beautiful Wenderholm Regional Park, with its easy walks, great beaches, and abundant birdlife, is right
next door. Stunning Tawharanui and Mahurangi regional parks are an easy drive north, along with all the food, wine and snorkelling delights of
Leigh, Matakana and Goat Island. For accommodation, choose from classic Kiwi camping at the holiday park, or go upscale at Waiwera Infinity Spa
Thermal Resort.

 

Tranquil Kauritutahi Beach in the Awhitu Regional Park. Photo / ARC

Link: www.waiwera.co.nz

Devonport
Where: Auckland’s North Shore; about a 30-minute drive from the city, or a 20-minute ferry trip.

Why: If you’re an Aucklander it may seem odd to holiday in another
part of the city, but a trip to Devonport – particularly if you take the ferry from downtown – is an easy way to get away without really having to go anywhere. After all, in Auckland’s pre-motorway history this
seaside naval village, at the foot of North Head, was a popular holiday spot for citysiders. It might be easier to get to now but Devonport
still retains an air of isolation. Book yourself into one of the excellent B&Bs and spend the weekend mooching through the boutique shops, restaurants or around the harbour’s edge. Cheltenham Beach is
an easy 30-minute walk away or stroll up North Head for spectacular views and old military tunnels.

Link: www.devonport.co.nz

Awhitu Peninsula
Where: The peninsula stretches along the southwest shores of the
Manukau Harbour, about 45 minutes’ drive from the centre of Auckland.

Why: Why not? This seems an oft-forgotten stretch of Auckland region with many city holidaymakers generally headed north or west to more famous beaches. But Awhitu is a lovely spot for a summer getaway. There are stunning beaches, such as Brooks and Kauritutahi in Awhitu Regional Park, an abundance of coastal walks, as well as kayaking, birdwatching and mountain biking. The area is also a foodie haven, with all manner of growers and producers. There’s a country market on the fourth Sunday of every month and on long weekends, elsewhere there are winemakers, olive growers, citrus orchards, arts and crafts makers, plant nurseries and honey producers, so you won’t go hungry. There are several accommodation options, from camping in the regional park, to lodges and
B&Bs.

Link: www.awhitu.com

Orere Point
Where: About an hour’s drive east from the central city.

Why: Orere Point is a tranquil spot on the region’s far eastern shores, looking across the Firth of Thames towards Coromandel Peninsula. There’s a safe beach to suit all the family and   an abundance of fish
that keeps keen fisherman returning every weekend. Miranda hot pools are about an hour’s drive along the Seabird Coast, or head back towards Beachlands and Maraetai to Duders Regional Park. On the way to Orere Point, stop at Clevedon’s Italian Country Market, and on the way
home pick a designated driver and book into Vin Alto winery, near Clevedon for one of their legendary Sunday lunches. For accommodation, there’s a Top 10 Holiday Park at Orere Point or rent a bach.

Link: www.orerepointholidaypark.co.nz

BOOK IT
Renting a bach or holiday home is often a great way to get good accommodation, especially in smaller, less-developed locations. It’s also great if there’s a group and you can split costs.

Try these sites:
www.bookabach.co.nz
www.holidayhouses.co.nz
www.holidayhomes.co.nz
www.bluepenguin.co.nz

Where to go:
Here are the 10 most popular locations for baches booked through www.bookabach.co.nz, and the average cost per night.

Whangamata $222

Waihi Beach   $224

Mangawhai Heads $201

Raglan $181

Taupo Central $236

Whitianga$241

Pauanui $236

Waikanae Beach $165

Mt Maunganui $252

Tairua $228

Source: NZ Herald

Why we want to migrate to NZ?

Year 2003, nag-attempt kami mag-apply sa Canada. Nag-research lang kami sa internet at asked advise from some friends na nag-aaply din.  Almost complete na yung docs namin, kaya lang kulang na kulang pa yung “show-money”. That time less than P300k ata, hindi ko na masyadong matandaan. Try kami umutang, na hindi naman natuloy, so try na lang kami mag-ipon. Medyo ok naman yung work namin mag-asawa pero matatagalan pa talaga umabot sa requirement yung ipon namin. In short, never kami naka-abot sa required “show-money”.  On hold muna ang aming pangarap. Yung iba kong friends natuloy na, at ngayong 2008 ay maayos naman ang mga work nila at may mga sarili na ring bahay. Nahirapan sila nung una, meron din daw mga tao dun na nag-discriminate. Lahat naman ata ganun.

 

Year 2004, nag-apply ako ng IT work sa Singapore pero wala akong makuha, kung meron man, hindi kami magkasundo sa sweldo.

 

Year 2005, meron akong mga friends na nag-apply naman sa Australia. Ganun ulit, research muna kami. Kaya lang first step pa lang, medyo malaki na ang investment, eto nga yung application fees. At meron din silang parang NZQA, sa kanila naman yung organization na related sa work experience mo ang mag-assess. Meron ding babayaran. We have to pick, continue saving for Canada or use the money for Australia. We chose to continue saving for Canada. In short, hindi na namin itinuloy yung Australia.

 

Year 2006, both of us got a job in the US. Pumunta dito direct yung employer and hired kami mag-asawa, we’re both in IT. Ang kulang nalang ay H1B visa, that we have apply the following year. So nag-comply kami sa fees, medicals, docs. 

 

Year 2007, our employer sent the visa application but due to the large number of applicants that exceeded the quota, US had to do a lottery of the slots available. In short, pareho kaming hindi naka-sama ng asawa ko. Buti nalang na-renf namin yung fees. Syempre yung medicals no refund. Sayang talaga kase may work na kami at relocation assisstance pa yung company. They said that they will still offer a job and we can try again for the 2008 quota. Pero hindi pa rin sure yun, dahil baka madami ulit applicants, and US had to resort to lottery again.

 

Mid 2007, we discovered NZ thru my husband’s relative. Hindi daw ganun kalaki ang application fees, pero meron ding proof of funds sa dulo. Nag-kwento siya ng mga magagandang experience ng iba nyang officemates dati na nasa NZ na, at meron din daw mga not so good experiences, especially when looking for work. Nag-research kami ulit and then we decided to apply EOI online. Ang true enough, hindi naman sobrang laki ng fee sa EOI. Pero nagulat nalang kami ng i-require pa ako mag NZQA kahit nasa LRQ, because of claiming bonus points sa skills shortage. Sana nga hindi nalang ako nag claim ng bonus points, mahal ang QAR. Bale 2 kaming nagpa-QAR. Yung husband ko naman wala sa LRQ yung school nya.

 

Year 2008, lahat ng steps sa application pinag-pray namin. At sobrang tuwa namin, nakapag-pass na kami ng ITA. Naubos man ang bonus namin sa payment ng medicals, ang laki ng kita sa amin ng isang accredited clinic, konti nalang natitira sa savings.  Pero ok na rin kase staggard naman yung mga bayarin sa application. Waiting kami ngayon sa interview kay FW, so baka next year pa yun… hehehe…

 

Iniisip ko nga, bakit ba gusto pa namin mag migrate? Hindi naman kami kinakapos dito, dahil ok naman pareho work namin sa IT. Maraming bagay ang nag-convince sa akin sa NZ, lalo na ang subsidized education ng mga bata. Dito sa Pinas, kung gusto ko mag-aral sa exclusive school yung magiging anak namin, siguro more than P50k a year ang tuition, gradeschool pa lang yun, I’m not sure. Dito, ang laki ng income tax at VAT, pero nasaan yung mga ito? Yun nga simpleng bako-bakong daan hindi maayos, paano pa kaya yung mas malalaking issues, na ayoko na pong banggitin. Sa NZ, malaki din ang tax, may GST din, pero I still have yet to see kung saan napupunta. May iba pa kaming personal reasons why we want to migrate. At meron tayong lahat…

 

Meron akong mga kilalang (sa forum lang) Americans who are in NZ, yung iba naman still in the process. Pareho lang din ang reklamo nila sa process ng SMC, yung NZQA, yung medicals, yung police clearance nga nila parang 1 month bago makuha. At yung iba sa kanila, hirap din maghanap ng work. Yung iba naman may work agad. Yung iba WTR, yung iba straight PR din. Meron din naman after 2 yrs PR, he wants to go back sa US, ayaw na nya sa NZ. Andami nyang hinahanap na wala naman sa NZ.

 

Ang sa akin lang, mag-try lang kami sa NZ. Baka mas maging ok ang pamilya namin.  Since ako ang principal applicant, baka mauna ako para maghanap ng work na pang-PR. Kung papayag din ang current job ko na mag leave without pay, ganun lang muna. At syempre sa lahat ng panahon, ipinag-pray namin lahat at naniniwala ako dapat gawin ko din ang best ko.

 

Subok lang. Kung hindi matutuloy ito lahat, at least masasabi kong I did my best and there are things that are not meant to be. Hindi umubra ang Canada, Singapore, Australia at US sa akin, tignan natin kung magiging ok ang NZ.

New Zealand Employment: Don’t leave home if you don’t like commuting

New Zealanders heading to Australia for higher-paying jobs are likely to spend longer getting to them according to a trans-Tasman study of urban commuting habits.

The study by recruitment specialists Robert Half found that on average, urban Australians take much longer getting to work than do urban New Zealanders.

More than twice as many New Zealanders (11 per cent) as Australians (5 per cent) said they took less than 10 minutes to get to work. And more than three times as many Australians (22 per cent) as New Zealanders (7 per cent) said they took more than 50 minutes to get to work.

At the extreme end of commuting times, 2 per cent of Australians but no New Zealanders take 90 minutes or longer to get to work.

But Australian commuters rely more heavily on public transport than do New Zealanders. While 81 per cent of Kiwis regularly travel to work by car or motorcycle, only 50 per cent of Australians do, with 45 per cent of them regularly using trains (NZ 8 per cent), 17 per cent using buses (NZ 23 per cent) and 11 per cent using trams (NZ 0). And with 14 per cent of Australians regularly walking or biking to work, they are more likely to combine travel with exercise than are Kiwis (9 per cent).Reflecting their preferred travel method, urban Kiwi commuters (66 per cent) are more likely to listen to the radio than their Australian counterparts (43 per cent), but only half as many Kiwis (19 per cent) as Australians (40 per cent) listen to music or a podcast on an MP3 player to pass the time.

Australian commuters are a better-read bunch than their New Zealand counterparts, with 43 per cent of them regularly reading a newspaper or magazine on their way to and from work (NZ 12 per cent) and another 30 per cent regularly reading a book (NZ 11 per cent).

Kiwi commuters are, however, a friendly bunch, with 11 per cent of them regularly talking to fellow passengers during their daily commute, compared with just 7 per cent of Australians who pass the time in conversation.

However many more Australians (18 per cent) than Kiwis (12 per cent) risk annoying fellow commuters by talking on their mobile phones during their daily commute.

The Robert Half study asked finance and accounting professionals last year about their commuting habits. The almost 300 New Zealand respondents came from Auckland, while the 385 Australian respondents came from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

Robert Half senior manager Megan Alexander said the survey showed New Zealanders had more to consider than just salary when thinking about moving to Australia.

“In most of our surveys over the past two years, Kiwis have rated work-life balance, including shorter commuting times as a vital factor in their job choices.

“In our Auckland Salary Survey early in 2008, 44 per cent of accounting and finance professionals said they would be willing to trade a lower salary for a more convenient work location – meaning a shorter commute.”

While there might be increased job opportunities available in Australia’s larger cities, Kiwis were likely to find they came with longer commuting times, and so they had to weigh up what was important before deciding to move, Alexander said.

Source: NZ Herald