i've used up my bandwidth at my http://marikenyo.i.ph blog
i may be forced to close that blog and find a different host.

october30 = marikenyo.i.ph

marikenyo

I have been blogging since August 2003 under the name of October30. Why October 30? It is the day I first arrived in New Zealand.

On August 10, 2005 I have decided to assume a new identity as Marikenyo (owing to the Philippine city where I grew-up) and blogging using i.ph's service. If however, if I am not completely satisfied with i.ph's blogging service I will shift back to Google's Blogger. My October30 blogs are: My Life at Large and Letters from New Zealand.

I am trying to transfer most of my work on the blogs that I have created. I have been using the cumbersome and tiring 'copy-paste' method. So far I have transfered or rather 'copy-pasted' My Life at Large to marikenyo.i.ph. I think I have spent 12 hours online in creating, customizing and transfering to the other blogging service.

Details of immigration policy of the National Party

These are the highlights of the National Party's immigration policy. It will only take effect if they win the election in September 17 this year.

A focus on skilled immigrants and giving greater recognition to those with proven work experience.

Immigrants will have to satisfy a good conduct requirement for four years before they can qualify for permanent residence. Those who break the criminal law will be sent home immediately.

Immigrants will not be able to qualify for welfare benefits for four years.

People sponsoring family to come to New Zealand will have to prove they can support them for the four-year benefit stand-down period.

The refugee quotas will be cut to the United Nations approved quota of 750, and savings will be reallocated to help refugees improve their English.

Investor Category immigrants will have to invest their money for a minimum of four years.

Business immigrants will have to create at least two permanent full-time jobs for non-family members.

The Immigration Service and the Citizenship Office will be merged.
Source: Brash announces immigration policy 09/08/2005. National Party.

On a personal note, the proposal of National seems sensible but like what a friend had said it could confuse wannabe immigrants and go to other countries instead.

Links:
Nats tout immigrant benefit stand-down. 09/08/2005. Stuff.co.nz
National sets out 'disciplined' immigration plan. 09/08/2005. NZ Herald.
NZ Population close to static. 09/08/2005. NZ Herald.

Four year probation plan for would be NZ immigrants

If the National Party wins this election would be immigrants would be given four years probation before attaining permanent residency. Full information about the immigration policy will be released on Tuesday. (To gain New Zealand citizenship one must be a granted permanent residency for five years.)

Under the current policy eligible people are immediately granted permanent residency to live in New Zealand.

The National policy may be in response to a number of immigration blunders under the Labout government. One scandal was letting a former minister of Iraqi Dictator Saddam Hussein to live in New Zealand.

It may be understood that under a National or possibly in coalition with right-wing New Zealand First, immigration criteria will become tougher.

Sources:
Nats to launch immigration policy. 08/08/2005. TVNZ
National's probation plan for immigrants. 08/08/2005. NZ Herald
Nats pledge probation for immigrants. 08/08/2005. Stuff.co.nz

Links:
New Zealand First Party's Immigration Policy 2005

Election Time In New Zealand

New Zealanders will go to the polls on September 17 to elect their new Members of Parliament and a new government.

The current Labour Party government headed by incumbent Prime Minister Helen Clark is seen to have a very close fight to be government against the National Party headed by Don Brash. (Labour is a centre-left party and National is a centre-right party)

In the last opinion surveys National is up against Labour. The former's popularity may be due to the party's promise of tax cuts to individuals and corporation.

It is unclear yet to what will about immigration policy if National wins the election. However, if Labour will win another term it will likely be status quo.

I do miss New Zealand but I'm not coming back just yet

I have decided to stay in the Philippines because of the current political instability. This is why I could be back in New Zealand most likely next year.

I am definitely missing the thinks I like and left behind in New Zealand. I miss my flatmates and the house, street, suburb and city we lived. I miss the savoury mince and steak pies and quiche. I miss the low fat ice cream. I miss the public transport. I miss using my ATM/EFT-POS card to make cashless purchases from almost any store in New Zealand. I miss my cousin and my Pinoy friends. I also miss my New Zealand and international friends. I miss my former job and workmates.

By the way I made a new blog about my life in the Philippines. It's URL is http://lettersfromph.blogspot.com