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Newsletter #4

28 April 2008

We are now just one week away from the Authority opening for business, heralding a new era for immigration licensing in New Zealand. As we head towards our official first day of business, Monday, May 5, I would like to introduce initial team members at the Authority who will be managing the process.IAA team

Pictured at right are Registrar Barry Smedts, Melissa England, Andrew Holmes and Meredith Cook

Meredith Cook – Senior Adviser – Professional Standards

Meredith has recently returned from eight years in the United Kingdom where she worked at the BBC in London helping to implement the new UK Freedom of Information legislation. She has worked at the School of Public Policy at University College, London and travelled extensively around South America.

Melissa England – Team Leader – Licensing Assessment

Melissa worked for six years as the Operations Director for an immigration consultancy in London and brings to the IAA a very good understanding of the industry, having worked in a regulated immigration environment.

Jenny Lin – Administration Officer

Jenny is responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of the IAA office. She has been self-employed for five years, has a comprehensive background in office administration and is excited about the challenge of managing the office administration for a ‘start-up’ organisation.

Andrew Holmes – Secondment

Andrew, a qualified solicitor, is on secondment from the Department of Labour to help establish the complaints, investigation and offence procedures at the Authority.

Other news

We’re officially ‘at home’: the Authority has moved into offices on Level 2, 52 Symonds St, Hamburg Sud House, which is easily identified by the big blue Brother sign. The fit-out is now complete and we will be officially open for business next Monday.

Application Packs

Application packs for people wanting to become licensed, regulated professional immigration advisers will be available from Monday, 5th May. Please request a pack via the contact details at the foot of this newsletter. While we are keen to have applications sooner rather than later, there is a full year – until 4th May 2009 – to become licensed.

Contact us

As always, feel free to contact us at info@iaa.govt.nz, freephone 0508 IAA IAA (0508 422 422 — New Zealand only) or write to us at PO Box 6222, Wellesley St, Auckland, New Zealand.

Barry Smedts
Registrar of Immigration Advisers

Licensed professionals = Protected migrants