14 May 2015

Boost to immigration staff

12:20 pm on 14 May 2015

The Government says it will invest $33 million over the next four years to boost the number of immigration officers.

Michael Woodhouse

Michael Woodhouse Photo: RNZ / Jane Patterson

Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse made the pre-Budget announcement this morning, saying New Zealand had a record-breaking number of visitors and more resources were needed.

He said $25.1 million would come from the Crown and nearly $8 million from immigration fees.

Mr Woodhouse said the money would pay for an extra 36 immigration staff members, including border officers at Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown airports.

He said another $6.6 million would will go into strengthening border security systems.

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