WELLINGTON: The New Zealand Government has carried out a joint enforcement operation involving multiple agencies to protect the integrity of the country’s immigration system and safeguard migrant workers.
The operation, led by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)’s Immigration Compliance and Investigations teams, targeted high-risk employers and groups linked to organised criminal activity.
Working alongside various MBIE units, New Zealand Police, and other partner agencies, officials shared intelligence, conducted workplace inspections, and monitored suspicious activities. According to the government, the coordinated effort helped identify risks more quickly and enabled targeted enforcement action.
The operation produced significant results. Authorities found 98 individuals in breach of their visa conditions. In addition, 171 alerts were placed on individuals and companies for future visa applications or employer accreditation assessments.
The operation also resulted in 44 referrals and information-sharing cases with partner agencies for further investigation and possible enforcement action. Fourteen offshore visas were cancelled for individuals who no longer met immigration requirements, preventing them from travelling to New Zealand.
Furthermore, seven employers were referred for accreditation revocation, while seven Employer Infringement Notices were issued, resulting in a total of NZ$21,000 in fines for immigration-related offences.
The government said these actions help prevent abuse of the immigration system, ensure employers meet their legal obligations, and support migrant workers in accessing genuine employment opportunities.
According to MBIE, the operation also provided valuable insights into how some employers and workers interact with the immigration system, highlighting areas where stronger oversight, verification processes, and policy improvements may be needed.
Immigration New Zealand said the findings will be shared across government agencies to strengthen risk management and improve the effectiveness of future compliance efforts.
Officials emphasised that continued collaboration between government agencies is essential to maintaining a fair, transparent, and trusted immigration system that supports New Zealand’s economy, protects migrant workers, and reduces the risk of exploitation and immigration fraud.
