Letters from the Southern Man
Migrating is more than just filling in forms and submitting paperwork, its a complex process that will test even the most resilient of people.
Understanding New Zealand is paramount to your immigration survival and to give you a realistic view of the country, its people and how we see the world, read our weekly Southern Man blogs. Often humorous, sometimes challenging, but always food for thought.
<< View older Southern Man postsMalaysian Rubbish Tip
After working 15 days without a break I spent last weekend at the Tanjong Jara resort in north eastern Peninsula Malaysia. I needed to catch my breath, to catch up on some sleep and remind myself what it means to be a human again after two weeks in claustrophobic Singapore and chaotic Kuala Lumpur enduring 12 hour plus working days.
Ill Be Back...
Anyone remember Skynet?
For those of you out there who have no idea what I am talking about, Skynet was the global computer system in the movie franchise ‘Terminator’ that went rogue, creating a race of robots which it then sent out to destroy mankind.
It was and thankfully still is the stuff of sci-fi fantasy; however life may imitate the cinematic arts sooner than we think.
Is New Zealand A Racist Country?
Is New Zealand a racist country? That was the question put to viewers on a local TV show that aired the night I flew out of New Zealand last week. I didn’t get to watch the show but I read an online article the following day that suggested 76% of those that voted in their ‘poll’, said it was. I confess I was very surprised. My experience is my friends are not racist...
Work and Resident Visa Conflict
When I started out in this game 24 years ago my first Boss had until fairly recently been a senior Cabinet Minister who had held a number of portfolios including Immigration. He was quite fearsome, had an ego the size of Texas, detested the stupidity of bureaucracy and the way those rules were interpreted and implemented by state functionaries with little or no incentive to question them.
Farewell Maggie
As the world reflects on a life well lived with the passing of Baroness Margaret Thatcher I have this week paused to give thought to her legacy. Saviour or demon? Reformer or wrecker? Uncompromising and tough. She changed the landscape at home and abroad. Some say she saved the nation and others accuse her of economic sabotage...
