Coming to New Zealand as a migrant is a very exciting new challenge, but also a very brave move as you step into a new country with its own unique culture.  You bring with you your own cultural nuances, values and language.  The norms you have known all of your life need adjustment to assimilate into your new homeland, so change is inevitable, otherwise why have you come to this country?

Just because you have stepped into New Zealand, you are entering a new education college without exams.  Unfortunately, until recently insufficient assistance has been available for migrants to understand the changes you need to make so that you can feel at home and welcomed.

Whilst New Zealand is globally voted as the least corrupt country in the world, there will always be people who can identify your vulnerability, so it is important that you go to the right sources of authority for information and not just  listen to well-meaning migrants from your own culture.

Make sense of the information you are given.

The start of your journey to New Zealand will have been to meet the New Zealand Immigration requirements and to achieve your ultimate goal takes time, and it is imperative that you deal with a qualified authorised Immigration specialist to help. Do your homework to ensure you engage with the right people to trust. 

A good reference point to help you identity who can help, is the NZ Association for Migration and Investment also known as NZAMI a professional Immigration industry body recognised as the chosen collaborative partner with Immigration NZ.  

Immigration licensed advisors and immigration lawyers who display the NZAMI logo being a member, this tells you that they are serious about continued up-skilling on Immigration policy and interpretation - we protect your interests and are judged by our peers.

Key things to look for in selecting your immigration specialist:

1. Are they holding a current Immigration Licence from the IAA Licensing Authority ? or

2. An immigration lawyer, exempt from immigration licence holding?

3. A member of NZAMI

Do your homework/research, by finding the right help and have your stress levels reduced with the confidence that you are dealing with the right people.

- by June Ranson, Chairperson, NZAMI

The New Zealand Association for Migration and Investment Inc. is a not-for-profit incorporated society established in 1989. It works closely with Immigration New Zealand and the Immigration Advisers Authority in its commitment to playing a major role in building the professionalism of the immigration industry in New Zealand.

The association is governed by a Board of Directors who are elected annually by the NZAMI membership and are bound to the NZAMI Code of Ethics for the protection and care of migrants to New Zealand.

Its membership consists of a diverse group of immigration advisers and lawyers who are committed to giving the best service possible to their clients, as well as a range of service providers who help migrants with important settlement matters such as finding a job, banking, housing, relocation, education.

The 2018 NZAMI Annual Conference will be held on August 17, at Eden Park, Auckland. The registration of the conference are open.

For more information, go to www.nzami.org.nz

Important things to note when you seek immigration advice:

The Immigration Advisers Authority keeps an online register for licensed immigration advisers at www.iaa.govt.nz. It helps in:

• searching for a licensed immigration adviser

• viewing an adviser's contact details

• viewing an adviser's license history

New Zealand lawyers can give immigration advice without a license providing they hold a current practising certificate from the New Zealand Law Society. Their website has all the details at www.nzls.org.nz.

A licensed immigration adviser must set fees that are fair and reasonable in the circumstances. Since the advisers vary in expertise, the fees they charge and the level of service they offer.

Stay away from anyone who:

• refuses to put their name on your visa application

• claims to have personal contacts at INZ

• asks you to sign a visa application before it has been filled

Complaints against licensed immigration advisers can be made on a number of grounds including dishonest or misleading behaviour, negligence incompetence, incapacity breaching the Code of Conduct.