An independent review of New Zealand’s detention regime for asylum seekers has found arbitrary and abusive practices in Aotearoa’s immigration law, policy, and practice.

After weeks of advocacy by Green MPs, Immigration New Zealand has given assurances that West Papuan students whose scholarships were cancelled by the Indonesian Government will not be deported - and that a team will now be formed to assess the future needs of the students.

“The Green Party has been advocating consistently for pathways for family reunification and visa waiver status and we welcome today’s announcement on the 2022 Special Ukraine Policy,” says Ricardo Menéndez March, Green Party spokesperson for immigration.

The Green Party urges the Government to offer to resettle and support Ukrainian refugees fleeing Russian violence and persecution.

Now the Government has decided on a date to reopen the border, the Green Party says additional steps should be taken to keep everyone safe.

The Green Party says the Government needs to extend the one-off residency scheme to all workers, instead of keeping them in limbo with visa extensions every 6 months.

A one-off broad residency pathway will ensure tens of thousands of migrants who have made Aotearoa New Zealand their home can settle here and thrive into the future.

The Green Party will deliver its open letter asking the Minister for Immigration to fix the broken immigration system next week.

The Green Party is calling on the Government to create a broad amnesty programme for people who overstay their visa, and for temporary visa holders to be granted residency in an open letter to the Minister for Immigration.

The Green Party is deeply disappointed but unsurprised at National resorting to the politics of division in its new border policy, showing a complete lack of regard for New Zealanders overseas.