敬爱的总理先生和移民部长：
我是一个来自台湾的移民。 New Zealand对我来说，她不只是国家和地名的称呼而已，她象征着一种感觉(feeling)、一种心绪(state of mind)。多年来，我经常告诉台湾的民众，纽西兰是一个健康、干净、安全、友善的国家，她是一块蒙上帝祝福的人间净土，也是地球上最后一个理想国。
在纽西兰住了十年，我非常努力地工作，安排了数以千计的国际学生来纽西兰的学校游学或长期留学。我不只期待自己的事业成功，更希望对纽西兰这个国家有所贡献。无奈的是，在事业上和工作上不断发生来自移民部的阻力(落伍的法规，加上学生签证的延迟或拒绝)，住家两次遭到小偷的严重入侵，看到多次欧美游客在纽西兰受到袭击、甚至命丧异鄕的新闻，其他的负面讯息也越来越多。那种美好的感觉(feeling)和心绪(state of mind)渐行渐远，我已经不敢再轻易向人诉说纽西兰是个安全、友善的国家。
纽西兰的好山好水依旧在，绝大部分纽西兰人仍然是勤奋、善良。只是，有些人、有些事情、有些法令或规定出了问题。为了维护纽西兰的美好声誉，为了让国际学生能贡献于纽西兰的经济和教育，盼望总理先生能够发挥哈佛的智慧，除弊兴利，让纽西兰的明天更美好！
纽西兰政府低估了国际留学生的贡献
在这全球经济危机的时刻，很多纽西兰人仍然坚守工作岗位。许多大学、中学或语言学校的市场推广人员仆仆风尘于世界各地，各国的Agents投入资金与人力宣传纽西兰的优质教育，希望能吸引更多留学生到纽西兰来学习，许多人正在为纽西兰的「教育出口」而努力。
一个国际学生来到纽西兰，就有一个纽西兰家庭多了一份「寄宿家庭」收入，就有一个学校多了平均$14000~25000的年收入。加上这些学生个人的零用金支出、回国度假机票费用、父母来纽探访的消费，一个国际学生一年可以为纽西兰平均增加$35000~45000的收入。纽西兰要振兴经济，奥克兰要成为超级都市，纽西兰要降低失业率，让更多国际学生前来纽西兰的「教育出口」是非常可行的「良方」。
移民部需要新的思维！需要改革！需要与其他部门配合！
谁在阻止「国际学生」前来纽西兰？谁把很多学校人员和Agents的努力抵销掉？绝大多数的学校人员和Agents都会说：「就是纽西兰政府本身，尤其是办理签证的移民部，以及不合理的法令和规定！」无法让台湾学生顺利来纽西兰留学，这是纽西兰的经济损失！当然，被移民部阻止来纽西兰留学的学生，不会是只有台湾的学生而已！
多年来有许多台湾学生因小小的健康问题被纽西兰拒绝签证，或以「案件需要转送威灵顿审核」为由拖延数月，大部分这样的学生都被澳洲接受并转往澳洲，纽西兰成为他们生命中的「拒绝往来户」！台湾人民享有全球最完善的强制性「全民医疗保险」，学生来纽西兰就学还会投保纽西兰的学生医疗险。纽西兰移民部拒绝国际学生的作为非常令人难以理解！
移民部设在其他国家的办公室应该获得更多的授权，不应该动辄将案件种送回纽西兰移民部审核，这些驻外单位似乎只是扮演移民部柜台(Reception)或秘书(Secretaries)的角色而已。如果许多申请件的个别状况都必须送到威灵顿审批，不但大大增加了移民部本部的工作负担，更抵销了贸易部推广海外贸易、推展外销的努力成果。这些申请不顺利的学生常常因此而改变主意，转而申请其他国家的签证。
纽西兰官方在台湾的办公室称为「纽西兰商工办事处」(New Zealand Commerce & Industry Office)，其功能类似大使馆。贸易组努力推展贸易，每年还协助许多纽西兰的学校在台湾举办招生说明会，签证组受理的案件却经常延迟获得签证。签证组表示：「这是移民部的规定！」。这不是非常矛盾吗！法规不合宜？签证官曲解法规？或移民部未能充分授权？
谁在打击纽西兰的经济？
谁在打击纽西兰的经济？谁在降低纽西兰的竞争力？政府自作孽，使纽西兰在实质利益上、形象上都受到了伤害！是纽西兰政府自己把应得的经济利益奉送给澳洲或其他国家。学生连轻微的感冒或小小的健康问题处置都能获得保险给付，这种小事情却剥夺了纽西兰重要的经济收入来源，真是不可思议！因为「短视」(Shortsight)，国际留学生对于纽西兰经济繁荣的贡献被低估了！
仅仅在6月份，我的公司就有两个学生以「案件需要转送威灵顿审核」遭到拖延(Client Number : 43994276和43027288)，其中一件牵涉到陪两个孩子来纽留学的母亲，一共有四个人正在等待威灵顿移民部的审批。他们循正常程序提出申请，在移民部指定的合格医院完成体检，取得学校入学许可并完成缴费。现在「案件需要转送威灵顿审核」，不合理、可笑至极的规定使他们面对不可知的未来。威灵顿移民部的审核通常要耗费2~3个月，如此冗长低落的行政效率实在不能令人接受！难怪很多学生宁愿撤销申请，并转往澳洲。这两个申请案件、四个人也可能步这个后尘。仅仅损失了这4个国际留学生，今后纽西兰每年可能少了20万纽币来自境外的收入。
移民部宁可相信「隔空抓药」？
这两个需要转送威灵顿审核的案件，一位是血液中胆固醇略偏高、另一位的心脏在十三年前开过刀。虽然体检的医生明确给予「健康情况尚称良好，旅游或出国读书无预期危险」的正面评估，这两个申请案件还是遭到拖延。对身体微恙者的「歧视」不应该是纽西兰人的待客之道！这些等待签证批下来的学生都拥有完全给付的医疗保险。更令人不解的是，移民部为什么强制需要由在纽西兰的医生做最终的判定？这些在纽西兰的医生从未真正面对送审的申请者，仅仅根据体检报告做纸上作业，这样的判断方式非常不合时宜(Well Outdated)！毫无疑问的，移民部在台湾的合约医院，国际学生与医生面对面的严格检查咨询较为实际可靠，移民部不必、也不应该怀疑合约医院医生的判断！不相信面对面的诊断，宁可相信「隔空抓药」，怪哉！提供这两位学生入学许可的学校，得知学生将延迟抵达的理由，生气愤慨之余，他们共同的反应是: “Stupid (愚蠢) ! Ridiculous (荒谬) !”。近日内这些学校将向移民部提出强烈抗议。
纽西兰的竞争力在哪里？
纽西兰这个国家以「知识经济」为其市场发展的导向之一。事实上，政府的有些部门却反其道而行！拒绝让更多国际学生来纽西兰受教育和消费，就是拒绝「教育出口」，「教育出口」可以视为一项重要且富有潜力的商品。 「教育出口」绝对可以为纽西兰带来重大的经济效益！
身为一个留学教育公司(Agent)的负责人，我尽心尽力为学生客户和我深爱的纽西兰而努力。我恳求总理先生和移民部长一定要立即、特别关注这个问题！严重的是，阻碍签证核发的不合理现象，已经对国际学生及其家长造成高度困扰，对受理学生入学的纽西兰学校、对提供学生食宿的寄宿家庭形成了财务上的压力。总理先生应该立即敦促移民部修改不合理且落伍的法规、对移民部驻外单位做合理的充分授权，同时要求移民部以更快速顺畅的方式审理签证申请。只有提升对国际学生的服务，才能与众多其他国家的国际教育提供者竞争。
在国际学生的市场上，越来越多的国家参与竞争。持台湾护照前往日本、英国、爱尔兰等国家，三个月或半年内免签证；前往澳洲的观光或学生签证也非常容易获准。目前全球有三十多个国家允许持台湾护照者以免签证或落地签证的方式入境。移民部受理签证申请的规定和行政效率，导致纽西兰严重缺乏「教育出口」的竞争力。
我的努力、疑惑和期盼
我一贯坚持对学生和纽西兰的合作学校提供优质的服务，十年努力的成果，目前有许多来自台湾和中国的国际学生就读于纽西兰的中学和大学。仅仅在Auckland Grammar School就有我的8个国际留学生。许多学校都支持我的看法和意见，他们非常愿意与移民部讨论遭遇到的问题和困难。
我衷心盼望最近两个悬而未决的申请案件(Client Number : 43994276和43027288)能迅速获得解决，以利继续为纽西兰的「教育出口」而努力并提供服务。
恳请总理先生、部长先生、新闻媒体的女士和先生们、纽西兰的人民共同来关注，为什么？为什么！同在纽西兰政府的两个部门，一个为纽西兰的利益和经济在努力，另一个却不断地把纽西兰的利益推向澳洲等国家？请问总理先生，在遥远的南半球，纽西兰凭什么有利条件去吸引国际学生？纽西兰的竞争力在哪里？ ！
敬祝总理和部长先生
身体健康！
Gordon CHANG敬上
张老师留学中心
Southern Cross International Education Services Ltd. (Taiwan)
NZ Rep. Office : 09-623 0366 630 9266
Mobile : 021 2888878 & 027 256 8882
诚挚感谢！
皇家律师事务所首席律师汪律师君尊
盛情关切本公开信
皇家律师事务所 Royal Reed & Associates
An Open Letter to
The Prime Minister and
The Minister of Immigration
30/Jun/2009
Honorable Prime Minister and The Minister of Immigration,
I am an immigrant from Taiwan. To me, New Zealand is not just the name of a country. It represents a feeling, a state of mind which had long been a sweet dream before I moved here. Since I settled in New Zealand, I have been telling people in Taiwan that New Zealand is a unique place on earth, truly a paradise guarded by God.
For the past ten years, I have been working very hard in my business as an educational agent providing study tours and long term study in New Zealand schools. I did not only aim for personal success, I also tried to make a contribution to my host country. However, my business was disrupted on many occasions by different unpleasant incidents I encountered. My family has been badly shattered by two instances of home intrusion. The news of tourists and visitors being attacked and assaulted are no longer isolated cases. More and more negative news gradually erodes the image of this country. It is sad to say, but I am not convinced that New Zealand is a safe and friendly country any more.
New Zealand is still voted as one of the best destinations for tourists because of its incredible scenery. Most New Zealanders are diligent and kind-hearted as usual. However, there are worries about the future of the country. If the country is determined to protect its good reputation, and to enjoy the benefits of the international students touring or studying in New Zealand, then something has to be done.
The Contribution of International Students
to New Zealand Economy
During the global economic turmoil, the majority of New Zealanders have been working very hard in every field. Many universities, colleges and language schools have put lots of energy into traveling around the world to promote New Zealand. Educational agents (like my company) have invested hugely on both capital funding and human resources to attract more and more international students to study in New Zealand. In a word, many New Zealanders are doing their best for our well-established and highly respected “Export Education” industry.
Once an international student arrives in New Zealand, he/she immediately provides an extra income for the host/home-stay family, and brings around $14,000-25,000 of annual income to the school he/she enrolls in. To add on other expenditure in New Zealand (such as living expenses, travel costs and visits from his/her family) the contribution from an international student to the New Zealand economy is on average $35,000-45,000 annually. I hope you agree with me when I say that revitalising New Zealand’s economy; making Auckland into a super city and reducing unemployment increasingly depends on the arrival of more and more high-calibre international students into the country.
Difficulties in the Export of Education
However, I am not convinced that the Government is on the right track in terms of attracting more international students. Sad to say, but many of the rules and regulations about applying for visas are not helping either schools or educational agents. On the contrary, they are damaging the once blooming industry. Many prospective international students from Taiwan are turned down by the Department of Immigration. Of course, it happens to students from other countries as well.
For many years there have been many international students from Taiwan (intending to study in New Zealand) who have been turned away because of minor health issues. Some applications were severely delayed (as long as several months) because these cases were transferred to the Wellington Office. Most of those rejected students were later accepted by the Australian government and went to study there. In Taiwan health insurance is compulsory. Besides, all international students from Taiwan take out student health insurance policies once they arrive in New Zealand. The refusal to accept these students in the country is widely unmotivated.
The New Zealand Immigration offices in other countries should be well authorized to handle applications. They should not just be secretaries to the Department of Immigration but empowered to handle cases directly. If many instances individual cases are passed on to the Wellington office, it not only increases the workload of the Department of Immigration, but it also causes considerable delay in processing the files. Consequently prospective students change their intentions and apply for student visas elsewhere.
New Zealand Commerce & Industry Office is the official place for the New Zealand government to promote mutual trading between New Zealand and Taiwan. Every year the Office has supported many New Zealand schools to recruit students. Ironically, the officials in charge of visa application have frequently turned down or postponed the applications. The common answer to the refusal or delay is:” It’s the rule and regulation of the Department of Immigration.” Is it because the regulation is outdated? Do the officials misinterpret the regulations? Or is the Office in Taiwan not well authorised by the Department of Immigration? It seems a strange anomaly and one that sadly only hurts this country.
The country is supposedly marketing itself as a ‘knowledge based economy’ – the reality is, however, different. We are turning down such precious commodities in the form of international students?
The export of our education sector undoubtedly contributes hugely to our economy. I can’t help but wonder who is sitting in that immigration office damaging the image of our country, and degrading our competitive edge? We are literally diverting our economic advantages to Australia. A slight cold or a minor health problem which are anyway covered by the health insurances are depriving New Zealand economy of a good source of income. There seems to be a certain shortsight in appreciating the contribution international students make to New Zealand economical prosperity.
Case Studies : Losses for New Zealand Economy
Just this month, I have had 2 applications transferred to the Wellington Office and I am still waiting for their decision (Client number:43994276 & 44027288). The 2 applicants have followed all the NZ regulations, provided health certificates issued by NZ certified hospitals. Their applications to the schools have been accepted, and they have paid school fees. Now these students face an uncertain future, and we don’t know how long it will take to have their cases assessed by our Department of Immigration in Wellington. Based on our experience, it usually takes 2 to 3 months for the Department to process the applications. Such a lengthy and inefficient process is not acceptable! No wonder many prospective international students would rather withdraw their applications and transfer to Australia. I probably would too!
Please allow me to give more details about the 2 cases. We were told that these cases were passed to the Wellington Office based on the following concerns: one had a slightly higher than normal cholesterol level, the other had a heart operation 13 years ago. These two cases have been assessed and commented on by doctors who unequivocally state that the subjects are not overly unhealthy; certainly it is nothing that could in anyway jeopardise overseas travel or study. Even taking into account the positive assessments from doctors, the process of these two cases has been delayed. Why?
The students who are still waiting for visas are fully covered by their insurances. Also, I find it quite strange for the requirements imposed by the Department of Immigration that students should be assessed by New Zealand doctors. In these cases the New Zealand doctors do not actually meet the students and base their reports on paper work which may be well out of date. There can be no doubt about the rigours of the consultation in Taiwan; the prospective New Zealand international students go to doctors of selected Taiwanese hospitals that have an agreement with New Zealand Immigration Service. Like this, all suspicions should be null and void.
The schools which have accepted the two students were angry when they heard about the reasons for the delay in their students’ arrival. Their responses were: “Stupid! Ridiculous! “
Competition with Other International Educational Market :
What Can Be Done to Make New Zealand Stronger ?
As an educational agent, I work very hard for my clients and for my host country (New Zealand). I sincerely ask the Prime Minister and the Minister of Immigration to pay attention to this matter. It is a serious matter which causes strain to parents and students and financial loss to the New Zealand schools ready to welcome these students. The offices in other countries should be well authorized to deal with cases faster, and in a more favorable manner. Services to international students should be more effective since we are competing against an important number of other international educational providers.
More and more countries are competing in the international student market. Anyone who holds a Taiwanese passport will automatically be issued a valid visa without any immigration processes for 3 months to half a year by Japan and Britain. It is comparatively easier to get either a tourist visa or a student visa from the Australian government. Where is New Zealand’s advantage in terms of attracting international students?
I have traditionally provided excellent service to international students and New Zealand schools. There are many international students who are studying in New Zealand as a result of my endeavours. Only at Auckland Grammar School there are 8 students. Many schools support my opinions and are ready to also talk to the Department of Immigration.
I sincerely hope that the case of my students (Client number:43994276 & 44027288). can be reviewed and that I can continue to provide good service to New Zealand.
Yours faithfully,
A New Zealander who is committed and devoted to the country
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I am respectfully thankful that lawyer Royal Reed, barrister and solicitor certified by New Zealand High Court, will represent me and act on my behalf.
Royal Reed & Associates
Website : www.royalreed.com Email : info@royalreed.com
