Immigration Act 2009
Immigration Bill Passes
The Immigration Bill received Royal Assent on 16 November 2009, becoming the Immigration Act 2009.
NOTE: The provisions of the Immigration Act 2009 are not yet in force. The majority of the provisions will come into effect on 29 November 2010. Until then the provisions of the Immigration Act 1987 apply.
A short summary of the key changes that will be introduced by the Act is provided below, along with fact sheets containing more details about specific areas of change.
If you have any queries, please email actreview@dol.govt.nz.
Overview
In April 2006 the Government announced the most comprehensive review of immigration legislation in 20 years. A discussion paper was released for public consultation and nearly 4000 submissions from individuals and organisations were received.
A package of proposals for new immigration legislation was agreed by Cabinet following the public consultation. A summary of the decisions is available via a link on this page. An Immigration Bill to replace the existing Act was tabled in the House on 8 August 2007. The Bill was referred to the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee for its consideration. The Committee undertook further public consultation in 2007 and 2008 and reported on the Bill to Parliament. A number of changes were recommended by the Committee.
Public consultation phase – 2006
Public consultation documents:
Summary of submissions:
Cabinet decisions for the Immigration Bill – 2006
Early decisions on classified information and review of Part 4A – 2007
- Immigration Act Review: Further discussions on classified information and managing security
- Immigration Act Review: Part 4A report back
- Immigration Act Review: Final issues
Decisions to support introduction of the Immigration Bill – 2007
- Immigration Act Review: Further decisions for the Immigration Bill
- Immigration Bill: Approval for introduction
- Immigration Act Review: Final issues
Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee phase – 2007-2008
- Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committe [external link]
- Immigration Bill: Recommendations for the Refugee and Protection System
- Decisions for the Immigration Bill