Immigration services needs to get better

According to Lockwood Smith, spokesperson of the national immigration, Immigration New Zealand has recently suffered further damage with more allegations of murk.

According to Lockwood Smith, spokesperson of the national immigration, Immigration New Zealand has recently suffered further damage with more allegations of murk. This comment of Mr. Smith came after the media reports that the executive assistant to the Service International Group Manager, Kerupi Tavita has been convicted due to a number of frauds, the amount of all totaling to $30,000.

Mary Anne Thompson had head-hunted Mr. Tavita from the Prime Minister’s Department. It was found by a Buddle Findlay investigation that soon after his appointment, Mr. Tavita sanctioned a gift worth $400 to himself. This was a clear breach of the policies of the department.

He later appointed Mai Malaulau to establish a Pacific Division within the same immigration service, although the pair had interest in the same private company. Buddle Findlay’s investigation found that although Ms Malaulau was signed for $1000 per day contract that included all expenses, Ms Malaulau was still sanctioned expense payments by Mr. Tavita.

According to the media reports, Mr. Tavita did not question the claims that were submitted by his executive assistant.

This clearly shows a casual use of taxpayer money by the senior officials. All the government departments should cautiously use the public’s money. This is a department that is plagued by scandals and corruptions. Last year’s Oughton inquiry also revealed the fact that staffs were unlawfully signing off applications that was clearly against the government’s policy.

Now, it is clear from the Oughton inquiry and the Mary Anne Thompson scandal that the immigration service is in need of a new management culture.