Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse said New Zealand was not in a position to judge the 400 visas issued each year for women to enter the country for an arranged marriage. "Culturally arranged marriages are a normal part of many of the cultures that are deeply embedded in New Zealand culture now and we issue about 400 visas a year. Most of the 400 visas are for women from India to marry Indian men in New Zealand. He was responding to a question at the National Party conference in Christchurch from a delegate concerned at domestic violence cases within arranged marriages going through the Manukau Court. Mr Woodhouse said there were a number of programmes run through the Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Justice, Shakti and other NGOs to support women in violent relationships.

Source: New Zealand Herald July 02, 2016 07:30 UTC