Video will play in Play now Don't auto playNever auto playMigrants will need to earn more than $49,000 to qualify for a highly-skilled worker visa under changes slammed as tinkering by New Zealand First and Labour. Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse announced the changes today, saying they are aimed at increasing the quality of people coming to New Zealand. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters immediately attacked the policy as "tinkering" and "just a dog whistle to show they're doing something". Labour leader Andrew Little also labelled the changes tinkering, and said public services, housing and infrastructure couldn't keep up with record migration levels. Under the changes, partners and children will be classified as visitors and only gain a work visa if they meet visa requirements in their own right.

Source: New Zealand Herald April 18, 2017 23:04 UTC