Tongans who want immigration advice to work, study or live in New Zealand are being encouraged to use a licensed or exempt immigration adviser by the New Zealand authorities.

Ms Catherine Albiston, Registrar of the New Zealand Immigration Advisers Authority will visit Tonga, Fiji and Samoa next week as part of a campaign to help communities understand the risks associated with using unlicensed immigration advisers.

She will promote the importance of using licensed or exempt immigration advisers for those who want immigration advice to work, study or live in New Zealand.

“Unfortunately, there are people who operate unlawfully and are unlicensed. With the amount of information available in today’s world, it can be difficult deciphering who to trust,” said Ms Albiston.

The IAA offers a free list of licensed advisers on their website for anyone looking for immigration advice in or outside New Zealand. Exempt immigration advisers include Immigration New Zealand, Citizens Advice Bureaux, Community Law Centres, and New Zealand lawyers.

“Licensed immigration advisers have specialist expertise and have met competency standards. They follow a code of conduct that requires them to be honest and respectful.“

“People who are not licensed or exempt can share publicly available information or help friends and family occasionally, but cannot provide immigration advice,” she said.

The IAA is responsible for issuing licences to advisers and handles complaints related to poor immigration advice. However, the IAA does not give immigration advice.

More information can be found on the IAA website [2].  A person’s immigration status will not be affected if they contact IAA.