Migrant Services

Such compensation, not to be confused with aid, could partly be used for the pro-
vision of services to Pacific Island migrants coming to New Zealand, including:

payment of their fares (if fares were properly organised they could at least be dramatically reduced from the present $329 return air fare from Tonga – compare this with the almost equidistant fare to Australia, particularly on charter flights, which is almost two thirds lower).

provision of reasonable accommodation at a reasoble cost.

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appointment of Pacific Islanders as Welfare and Lia+son Officers for migrants, who could assist in orientation courses (pre-arrival, post-arrival, and post-return), arrange the bureaucratic requirements, assist with remittance of funds, and look after the general interests of migrants during their stay.

provision of wider opportunities for Pacific Island migrants, to ensure that they do not continue to provide predominantly unskilled labour but can return home with experience that will be useful in their countries of origin and not only with money.

such provision should include opportunities for further education, particularly language classes, as well as training in skills.

The cost of these services, needless to say, ought to be predominantly borne by the employers of migrant labour, rather than the taxpayer through the Government.