The Productivity Commission will hold an inquiry into immigration settings.

This inquiry, the first under the new Productivity Commission chair, Dr Ganesh Nana, will focus on immigration policy as a means of improving productivity in a way that is directed to supporting the overall well-being of New Zealanders.

'The disruption caused by Covid-19 has provided us a rare and unique opportunity to focus an inquiry on an area that makes a significant contribution to New Zealand's labour market, culture and society,” says Robertson.

He points out that many migrants bring skills, talents, knowledge, experience, international connections, and financial social and cultural capital that is of benefit to themselves, their families and New Zealand.

'However, it is important that we better understand the economic and other impacts of New Zealand's immigration system,” Robertson says.

'For example, some firms, industries and regions rely heavily on migration to meet their skill and labour needs and there is concern that this has led to downward pressure on wages. Further, despite the large increase in net migration in the last decade, skill shortages remain in some industries.

'This inquiry will enable New Zealand to strategically optimise its immigration settings by taking a system-wide view, including the impact of immigration on the labour market, housing and associated infrastructure, and the natural environment.”

This inquiry will go alongside existing work being led by the Minister of Immigration, including the implementation of reforms to temporary work visas and a review of the Skilled Migrant Category visa.

'The Productivity Commission inquiry is a chance to take a longer term look at the immigration system. We will also be making changes to our immigration settings this year, as we prepare for the opening of our borders and continue to tilt the balance away from low-skilled work, by attracting high-skilled migrants and meeting genuine skills shortages,” says Faafoi.

'I expect to announce the direction of more immediate changes in the coming weeks,” he concludes.