Transcript of interview with Commissioner, Mr Nick Bridge, by Kit Cummings for the 'Hong Kong Today' radio programme on 7 September 1988
KC
The New Zealand High Commissioner, Mr Nick Bridge, has denied а recent report in the London Times newspaper that a senior immigration officer has been brought to Hong Kong to persuade Chinese businessmen to emigrate to New Zealand. However, he says that an Immigration Officer has been taken to help process the growing number of immigration applications the Commission's receiving, and Mr Bridge is on the line now. Good morning to you Mr Bridge.
on
NWB
Good morning.
KC
There's a fairly subtle distinction there in that intro- duction as to whether its a positive thing,
a positive thing, the immigration official coming here to encourage or whether simply you're reacting to an increase in the number of applications. Are you saying that in fact you are not encouraging people to go to New Zealand but you're having so many applications that you've got to have more help?
NWB
That's exactly the case Kit. There's been no change in Our policy and no change in our approach. The official has been posted here, he's the first immigration official in my office to be based out of Wellington but he's come here in response, as you suggested, to the increase in applications that we're receiving and I feel here we had a need to handle these applications as professionally and as well as we could and so Wellington have sent him to join my staff.
KC
Can you quantify that increasing number of applications?
NWB
Last year we approved about 300 families from Hong Kong. And this year we expect to approve about 450.
KC
Are they mainly family reunion?
NWB
No no these are professional people, not family reunion.. (oh yes, I see...) but I call them, you know, they're just 500 applications, 450 applications.
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