A security analyst says New Zealand's migrant screening is warding off threats from spies, extremists and drug smugglers, but national security checks take time.
Immigration figures show less than a third of Chinese applicants have had their 2021 residence applications decided in the last year, compared to half of Indian and UK migrants, and 60 percent of South Africans.
Gill Bonnett reports.
Immigration New Zealand refused to answer questions about visa processing times for different nationalities but says checks are essential to preventing people who may pose a risk to national security.
It says they can take up to six months, and occasionally longer.
