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Aiport arrivals - Source: ONE News -
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The Government is poised to tighten immigration policy in a bid to boost the economy.
"(The plan is) to ensure that those that are coming in can hold down a job and ensure that they perform in our economy. Hard working tax payers of New Zealand need to know that their money is being invested, not spent on benefits," Immigration Minister Nathan Guy told TV ONE's Breakfast on March 6.
While the move is aimed at driving down the cost of welfare, experts say it will do more harm than good.
The proposed changes will mean that it is likely to become more difficult for the extended family of immigrants to gain entry to New Zealand.
Parents of migrants will still be able to come into the country but only if their children can afford to sponsor them, or they have enough money to support themselves .
Those with higher incomes will jump to the front of the cue, and adult children and siblings of those already in New Zealand will have to apply, alongside everyone else, as skilled migrants.
However, even skilled migrants may find it tough to get into the country.
Premjeet Singh, a banker in India, struggled to find work in New Zealand and was told it was because he had no New Zealand experience.
"For the first time in my life I think I got about more than 500 rejection letters in one year," Singh told ONE News,
He said it was family support that helped him through, and experts say removing that could be costly.
"We don't always appreciate that the economic value of a migrant is also associated with their social wellbeing," said Professor Richard Bedford from University of Waikato.
Twelve member of the Singh family now live in New Zealand, 14 years after they first settled in Auckland.
"Everyone should be allowed to bring the parents or whoever he feels like for a great moral support which will boost the economy," Singh said.
Changes surrounding family immigration policy are expected later this year.