Immigration Solicitor

Why I Run People sometimes ask how I find time to run. I manage a law practice, appear in tribunals and courts, and have a family to run. I don’t find the time — I make it, because without running, I’d be a different kind of lawyer. I run about 75 kilometres a week, usually across nine sessions. Most are before the office opens or after work. Some are on the hills, run path or parks around…

Year-End Update on New Zealand’s Proposed Employment Leave Law What employers and workers should know before Christmas As the year comes to an end and businesses across New Zealand prepare for the Christmas and New Year shutdown period, many employers and employees are asking questions about annual leave, public holidays, and holiday pay. This year, those questions are heightened by the…

New Zealand Introduces Two New Pathways to Residence for Skilled Migrants Published: October 2025 | MK Law Barristers and Solicitors Immigration New Zealand announced substantial changes to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa on September 23, 2025. These reforms introduce two entirely new residence pathways and modify existing requirements, with implementation scheduled for August…

New Business Investor Visa: A Clear Pathway to Residence in New Zealand The New Zealand Government has announced one of the most significant changes to business migration policy in recent years. The Entrepreneur Work Visa is now closed to new applicants, and in its place the Business Investor Visa (BIV) will open in November 2025. This new visa is designed to attract experienced investors who are…

Big Changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) in 2025 – What You Need to Know The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) has undergone some big changes in 2025, making it easier for businesses to hire migrant workers while still protecting jobs for New Zealanders. If you’re an employer or a migrant worker, these updates will directly impact you.   Here’s a breakdown of what’s changing and…

Major Reforms to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV): What You Need to Know It’s been a while since our last update, but with significant changes to New Zealand’s immigration system announced, now is the perfect time to share the latest developments and their potential impact. The Government has introduced a series of reforms to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), aimed at addressing…

Navigating Potential Deportation Cases: Key Considerations and Success Stories Deportation cases are among the most challenging aspects of immigration law, requiring a nuanced understanding of both legal frameworks and the personal circumstances of those involved. At MK Law, we have successfully assisted clients in avoiding deportation, ensuring that their unique situations were carefully…

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has recently announced updates to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) program, which came into effect on April 7, 2024. These changes aim to strengthen the integrity of the program and ensure that accredited employers are meeting their obligations. As a specialist immigration firm, we want to provide an overview of these changes and discuss their potential…

Mariel is a 38-year-old Filipino who is currently working as a manager DHL Customer service centre based in Wellington. She has been in this job for the last two years after completing a business diploma at level 6. Mariel has been heartbroken since INZ recently declined her resident visa application under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) because INZ found her job did not match the ANZSCO…

Review on the New Residency Rules

INZ Statistics show nearly 50% drop in the number of the skilled migrants applying for residency in the last six months. Undoubtedly, the selection threshold of 160 points was the catalyst for the dramatic reduction. The former Minister of Immigration believed the new selection threshold might drop the numbers by 5%. No doubt the former Minister of Immigration couldn’t see this coming when he…

New Government’s Immigration Policy – the Director’s Cut

  New Government’s Immigration Policy – the Director’s Cut

The director’s cut usually refers to an edited version of a movie reproduced to show the movie director’s original intention. The Labour government is currently reproducing its director’s cut off the election version of its immigration policy.

Just like Trump’s election victory sent a shockwave through the migrant communities in the US,…

Labour’s Immigration Policy to Remain Intact 

Immigration practitioners and the migrant communities in NZ have been keeping a watching brief on the odds over the Immigration portfolio being yielded to the NZ First party. For this would have meant a de facto shutdown of the national Immigration portfolio.

Today,  the Labor-led coalition goverment has announced that the four cabinet portfolios allocated to NZ First include Foreign Affairs,…

Labour’s Immigration Policy to Remain Intact 

Immigration practitioners and the migrant communities in NZ have been keeping a watching brief on the odds over the Immigration portfolio being yielded to the NZ First party. For this would have meant a de facto shutdown of the national Immigration portfolio.

Today,  the Labor-led coalition goverment has announced that the four cabinet portfolios allocated to NZ First include Foreign Affairs,…

Deportation Liability upon Conviction of Crime

Joffrey Baratheon is a 18-year old citizen of the Crownlands. He came to New Zealand some two years ago with his mot1her, Cercei who remarried a long term expat and the first time lover Rhaegar. His best friend was an experienced immigration lawyer practising in Auckland.

While living in the Seven Kingdoms, Joffrey was unrelenting causes of trouble, who often became the subject of his mother’s…

Mr Yamada’s Succession Plan in New Zealand

Mr Yamada is a 58-year-old businessman from Japan. He has six Daiso franchise shops around the country. He has accumulated assets valued approximately at ¥900 million, including the commercial properties in which he operates the stores and the debenture stock in Daiso.

Despite never regretting the sacrifice he had to endure to become a successful businessman from a high school dropout, he doesn’t…

Satoshi is very excited to compete at the final battle in the Auckland City Gym, as the prize money will be whooping 5 million pokecoins.

Thousands of overseas Pokémon trainers and the spectators of Oceanian…