Filipino News 171

Immigration Matters:
ISSUE 171 | REUNION 2023 | www.filipinoheroes.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.filipinonews.nz | 13
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By Ricky Matthew
Citizenship pathway
opens for Kiwis
living in Australia
photo credit / Rew Shearer
SYDNEY – There are
many reasons for thinking
of making the move to
Australia – better climate,
better pay, tax breaks, the
affordability of living and
housing. But a thorny issue
for Kiwis living in
Australian has been the
lack of a direct pathway to
citizenship even after living
across the ditch for
years, paying taxes there
and for all intents and purposes
being no different
from other migrants to the
country.
Now Australia’s historic
decision to provide a new
direct pathway to citizenship
for New Zealanders
living in Australia will
bring the two countries
closer together, says Prime
Minister Chris Hipkins.
Australian Prime
Minister Albanese made
the announcement this
recently, in the 50th
anniversary year of the
trans-Tasman travel
arrangement, which allows
each country’s people to
live and work in the other
country.
“This is the biggest
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improvement in the rights
of New Zealanders living
in Australia in a generation
and restores most of
the rights Kiwis had in
Australia before they were
revoked in 2001,” Chris
Hipkins said.
“Successive New
Zealand Prime Ministers
have advocated for this
change for two decades.
It’s pleasing that the close
relationship between leaders
of two like-minded governments
was instrumental
in reaching this outcome.
“Today’s announcement
brings our nations closer
together. It underscores
the strength and breadth
of the bonds between our
countries ahead of my visit
this weekend.
“These changes will
make a real and meaningful
difference to the lives of
many New Zealanders and
their children by giving
those who decide to take
up Australian citizenship
similar rights to
Australians living in New
Zealand.
“Kiwis taking up
Australian citizenship will
still retain their New
Zealand citizenship. These
dual citizens are not lost to
New Zealand – but draw
us closer together.”
“It will apply to Kiwis on
temporary, special category,
visas who have arrived
since 2001 and lived in
Australia for four years
and meet the standard criteria
for citizenship including
character checks and
intention to reside in
Australia.
“Children born in
Australia
since 1
July 2022
to a New
Zealand
parent living
there
will also automatically be
entitled to citizenship. This
will make critical services
available to them.
“Most of us know someone
who’s moved across
the Tasman. They work
hard, pay taxes and
deserve a fair go. These
changes deliver that and
reverse erosions that have
taken place over 20 years.”
Boracay expects
over 2M tourist
arrivals this year
By Perla Lena, PNA
ILOILO CITY – Boracay Island has
already hit the 1-million mark in tourist
arrivals in the first semester of 2023 and is
optimistic that it can exceed the 1.8 million
target for this year.
“We meet the one million mark and we
are not expecting that much because the target
was 1.8 million. If this will be the trend,
we will exceed two million at the end of the
year,” said Mayor Frolibar Bautista in an
interview on Sunday at the sidelines of the
Central Philippines Tourism Expo held in
Iloilo City.
Data showed that from January to June
17, the island recorded 1,040,847 arrivals
consisting of 199,098 foreign visitors;
816,426 local tourists and 25,323 overseas
Filipino workers.
For the same period last year, around
850,047 guests visited the island.
Bautista attributed the high arrivals to
their hosting of meetings, incentives, conferences
and exhibits (MICE).
He said that from the 20 percent share of
foreign tourists, they expect it to increase to
30 percent once visitors from South Korea
and China start coming in next month.
For more travel news please check out:
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