Pitt & Moore in the Media

Partner Nick Mason talks to the Nelson Mail about the new 2021 Resident Visa, stressing the devil is in the detail and that not all workers will benefit from the new policy

October 2021

Nelson Mail interviewed our employment and immigration law expert Nick Mason, in relation to the new 2021 Resident Visa.

Nick explained that the announcement ended uncertainty for people who had been waiting since last year for Government action. While many clients would benefit, others would not. Nick also noted that we have numerous clients who are separated from their family, and this new Resident Visa pathway doesn’t address their separation in the short-term and possibly not in the long-term either, given how stretched Immigration New Zealand’s resources are.

Partner Nick Mason talks to the Nelson Mail about the legal minefiled for employers when it comes to requiring staff to be Covid-19 vaccinations

September 2021

The Nelson Mail interviewed our employment law expert Nick Mason in relation to the legal minefield for employers when it comes to requiring staff to get Covid-19 vaccinations. Nick indicates that there had been little Government guidance, and generally businesses would have to be wary of any requirement that staff be vaccinated. He explained rather than requiring that people be vaccinated, employers should instead designate work that could only be undertaken by a vaccinated person – and there needed to be a strong business need to do so. “You designate work, not the person” – he said.

Partner Nick Mason talks to 1 NEWS about whether employers can make it a mandatory requirement for employees to be vaccinated

August 2021

1 NEWS interviewed our employment law expert Nick Mason, in relation to whether employers can make it a mandatory requirement for employees to be vaccinated.

Nick explained that work needs to be done to make it clearer for businesses. He pointed out that currently the principal area of confusion for employers is the threshold for deciding when work has to be done by a vaccinated person. He said that it would be helpful if the Government could provide some guidance on which roles can be considered high risk.

Senior Solicitor Elly Fleming discussed Immigration New Zealand’s announcement to scrap 50,000 visa applications

July 2021

Radio New Zealand interviewed Senior Solicitor Elly Fleming an expert in immigration law concerning the government’s decision to discard 50,000 temporary visa applications from offshore applicants and provide refunds. Elly Fleming expressed concern that the refund process would take too long and did not assist applicants who had paid for immigration advice or incurred other expenses. Elly also noted that many people wanted their visa applications to be processed and kept in the system for when the border reopened.

What is most concerning is that the government is currently considering whether to allow refunds for those who have applied for residence visas, leading to a suggestion that certain residence applications currently sitting in the queue may also be scrapped by the government.

Residence visa application refunds may be next – Immigration New Zealand

Partner Mike McMellon discusses deportation of illegal workers in New Zealand.

March 2021

Radio New Zealand interviewed Partner Mike McMellon an expert in immigration law concerning a group of men facing deportation for staying and working in New Zealand illegally. Mike McMellon stresses that it is critical for New Zealand employers to ensure that they only employ workers who have a right to work in New Zealand.

Employment and immigration lawyer Nick Mason comments on Immigration NZ’s decision to refuse work visa application for a skilled Chef

March 2021

The Nelson Mail interviewed our employment and immigration law expert Nick Mason in relation to Immigration NZ’s decision to refuse a Work Visa application for a skilled chef, based on not meeting the character requirements. Nick commented that Immigration NZ tended to apply a very rigid application of the rules when it comes to character requirements.

Immigration lawyer Elly Fleming discusses revamp of residence programme

February 2021

The immigration minister, Kris Faafoi, is considering a revamp of New Zealand’s largest residence programme. Faafoi says a review of the skilled migrant category is a priority. He says no decision has been made on whether to re-start the selection of expressions of interest for skilled workers after it was suspended last March. Immigration lawyer, Elly Fleming , discusses the review with RNZ reporter Gill Bonnett.

Partner Mike McMellon explains implications of Immigration NZ’s email error

January 2021

In this article Partner Mike McMellon an expert in immigration law is interviewed by Radio New Zealand about a serious administrative error made by Immigration NZ prior to Christmas. Mike McMellon explains the significant implications of this error and suggests a way forward for Immigration NZ to effectively and fairly address the administrative error.

Pitt & Moore donates to Rotoiti Lodge Outdoor Education Centre upgrade project

December 2020

Partner Geoff Caradus discusses foreign buyer ban on purchasing residential property

November 2020

In a recent episode of NZ Everyday Investor Podcast, confronting the question of whether foreign buyers are still active in the market and responsible for the current housing boom, our Overseas Investment Act expert Geoff Caradus, Partner discusses the foreign buyer ban on purchasing residential property in New Zealand and how effective it has been. He also explains in simple terms who is considered under Overseas Investment Act to be an ‘overseas person’ and thereby caught by the ban currently in place.

Covid-19 : Alert Level 2 – Our Nelson and Richmond offices have reopened for business. Please view our Appointment Guidelines.