Ethical Practice for a Licensed Immigration Adviser - My Views

In my opinion “ethics” is the conscious decision of an individual to adhere to universally accepted moral values. According to Liezl van Zuyl of the University of Waikato, these moral values pertain to truthfulness, respecting others, helping people in need, not harming anyone and doing what is just and fair. Somewhere in this description is also an inherent suggestion that all personally held beliefs however fair they may be in their own right may not necessarily transform into “universally accepted” moral values. And this is a perfectly good barometer to use when confounded with a thought that seems right to the individual but is not universally accepted. All citizens of a country may not like all laws that are in existence in that country, but once a law is passed all people have to abide by it or be known as “unlawful” or “illegal.” Similarly all widely accepted universal moral laws should prevail over personal beliefs lest the practitioners are termed “unethical”.

While it is not always easy to codify “ethics” I believe the Licensed Immigration Advisers Code of Conduct 2014 has done a rather comprehensive job of creating a working document that incorporates the key points where ethical and professional dilemmas may arise in the immigration advising process and how to deal with them. This document forms a solid basis for new entrants who do not have the advantage of a well-developed ethical and moral compass that normally aggregates after years of experience. Till such a point of unconscious competence is reached, the Code is the best lodestar by which to set the course in dealing with ethical and professional dilemmas. And hence at this point where I have embarked on the career as a LIA, the best possible way to act in a professional, ethical, socially responsible and culturally sensitive manner in relation to providing immigration advice is to make the Code the guiding document of my practice.

One other very important factor is going to be how I interact, collaborate and work with fellow LIAs who may have years of experience or specialise in areas in which I may not be particularly competent. I foresee the evolution of my career as a LIA also favouring certain areas and not necessarily touching upon all areas of the immigration umbrella. This is very akin to many other professions where specialities are specifically pursued and collaborations created to shore up in areas where one lacks in expertise. This would aptly fit the requirement of the Code to “work within limits of knowledge and skills.” A collective of like minded LIA’s who share thoughts and collaborate will create a better immigration system on the whole and give credence to the very basis of the Immigration Advisers’ Licensing Act of 2007.  

In summary, making the Code as the cornerstone of my practice and collaborating with my fellow LIAs will be the two key elements to adhere to the ethical and professional requirements of my chosen profession.

Nga Mihi (regards)

Arun 

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Which is better? Australia or New Zealand?

Some rivalries in the world are such that discussions will abound for centuries spanning generations. Australia versus New Zealand is one such, popularly known as the Trans-Tasman rivalry. From my own experience so far it is my conclusion that it is sibling rivalry that can sometimes get edgy but remains quite firmly within the bounds of decency. Having said that I am not from that generation which witnessed the infamous "underarm" which is considered the nadir in the relations between both countries. During the recent ICC world cup there was a really cool tongue in cheek ad for a popular brand of air-conditioner (called a heat pump here in New Zealand by the way) and the protagonists were Stephen Fleming and Nathan Astle with a not so subtle reference to "the underarm". And so the rivalry continues in sporting arenas predominantly and elsewhere from time to time. 

From a prospective immigrant perspective, I guess what is more important is the answer to the question, "Which is better? Australia or New Zealand?" In this Australia vs New Zealand debate/conundrum perhaps this recent news items will shed some light and possibly help those sitting on the wall to arrive at a decision about which country to migrate to. As for me I am firmly a Kiwi lover at heart and I am here to stay :)

Happy reading and make the right decision.
Revenge of the Kiwis: the tide turns in New Zealand’s favour

Other suggested reading:
Kiwis feeling the boomerang effect
Kiwi dollar peaks, nudging parity with Australian dollar

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New Zealand Maori Culture and Traditions

Hongi - The Traditional Maori Greeting

As a Licensed Immigration Adviser I want to be prepared to answer the potential question from my clients, “What is it like in New Zealand?” Being an immigrant myself, I understand the significance of introducing and encouraging my future clients to know about the 'essence' of New Zealand culture and society, including the customs and traditions (tikanga) of New Zealand’s Maori (the tangata whenua), and an appreciation of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. Hence as part of my New Zealand Culture and Traditions Resource Kit, I suggest the following reading to all my prospective clients and readers interested to know more about the absolutely beautiful and fascinating culture of the Maori. This will be continually updated through future blogs and my own experiences as a current student of a Level 4 course in Te Ara Reo Maori (the Maori language). So do stay tuned as I am very overwhelmed by the aroha (affection) and manakitanga (hospitality) of my Maori whanau (family) and will keep sharing these wonderful moments. Hopefully these anecdotes will strengthen your resolve to make Aotearoa New Zealand your home too and seek to make some friends among the tangata whenua when you arrive here.

   

About the Maori - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Considering most people anticipating being in New Zealand have little or no information about the Maori, this is my first suggested reading to get a broad insight into the world of the Maori. Getting a better understanding of the Maori is a vital step for anyone who are considering New Zealand as a destination. And hence this reading is strongly recommended.    

About the Maori - From The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

‘Te ara’ in Māori means ‘the pathway’. Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand offers many pathways to understanding New Zealand. It is a comprehensive guide to the country’s peoples, natural environment, history, culture, economy, institutions and society. The section on the Maori in this website gives a more precise insight and from a more New Zealand perspective as it is a government website. It is a good follow on to the broader reading from Wikipedia in step one above and hence I encourage you to read it.

A traditional Maori welcome at the Auckland Airport

Since most new people arriving into New Zealand will be coming in through the Auckland Airport, they are bound to experience their first physical interaction with Maori culture and tradition when they approach and walk under the beautifully carved Tomokanga (gateway) and listen to the Karanga. Most people will not understand the significance of the welcome and to me this is a wasted opportunity not to immerse themselves into the ‘essence of New Zealand’ right at the entry point. So I will encourage all those considering an entry into New Zealand to read about this traveller’s experience. While all people may not come through Auckland Airport this reading will still serve as a good insight into what a traditional Maori welcome will be. To lend a fun element I also encourage you to listen to the ‘Haere mai song.’   

Te Reo Maori - The basics of the Maori language

Since basic Maori words are such an embedded part and parcel of being in New Zealand, I encourage all those considering an entry into New Zealand to read about the basics of the Maori language. Anyone who does this will have a better understanding of the plaque embedded into the tomokanga at the Auckland Airport and also commonly found at many other places in the country. This will also serve you well later as Maori terms like ‘Aotearoa’, ‘Nau mai’, ‘Haere mai’, ‘Kia ora’ are so intrinsic to a life in New Zealand. From my own experience (prior to becoming a tauira ie a student of Te Reo Maori) I always wondered about what ‘Haere mai’ posted at the start of each city limit meant and ‘Haere ra’ when leaving a city. So if you are planning to be in New Zealand, I encourage you to read the basic Maori words which will prepare and enable you to appreciate more the overall New Zealand experience starting with the welcome. 

The Treaty of Waitangi

The Treaty of Waitangi remains one of the cornerstones of New Zealand of the past as well as the present and future. Because this is such a significant document, I encourage all prospects planning to migrate to New Zealand to read about it and get a better understanding and what it means to all those who consider New Zealand as a destination.

While the five resources mentioned above are a good starting point to acclimatise and sensitise you to New Zealand culture and traditions, I will continually update the resources and share them right here in this blog. So do stay tuned.

Ngā mihi mō te pānui i tēnei (Thanks for reading this)

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Picture explanation courtesy Wikipedia: A hongi is a traditional Māori greeting in New Zealand. It is done by pressing one's nose and forehead (at the same time) to another person at an encounter.It is used at traditional meetings among Māori people and on major ceremonies. It serves a similar purpose to a formal handshake in western culture, and indeed a hongi is often used in conjunction with one. In the hongi, the ha (or breath of life), is exchanged and intermingled. The breath of life can also be interpreted as the sharing of both party's souls.

Picture courtesy: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/271035/hongi  

Life in New Zealand - Working as a volunteer at the ICC cricket world cup

When the ICC cricket world cup ended on Sunday last I was personally sad about two things. 1) That New Zealand could not make a better fight of it after reaching the finals for the first time ever and 2) My stint as a volunteer came to an end and I actually felt a bit sad about it. I have been an avid cricket fan and also a player of some repute in my younger days. So when they advertised for volunteers for the world cup I applied immediately for Hamilton. After a round of documentation and a personal interview, I was lucky to be selected as the only Broadcast Assistant for the three matches played at Hamilton. My past experience in India as a radio broadcaster and sports commentator for television apparently worked in my favour. 

During the course of my duties I got to carry the actual world cup itself and take a nice picture with it to show my grand kids at some point hopefully :) But the icing on the cake was that in my role I was also allowed access to the field of play and all the commentary boxes. So I had an unforgettable time rubbing shoulders in the commentary box with the greats of the game like Matthew Hayden, Dean Jones (had a very humorous chat with him), Russell Arnold, Saurav Ganguly, Sunil Gavaskar, Shaun Pollock, Scott Styris, Simon Doull, Sanjay Manjrekar, Pommie Mbangwa and pretty much walk alongside all the players while they went on and off the field. A really good moment to cherish indeed and something I could possibly experience only in New Zealand.

But the real reason I am sharing this is that it is such a great learning experience to be a volunteer. It gives you the opportunity to meet a lot of like minded people and friendships are made very easily. By virtue of wearing the same uniform and doing similar work as everyone else there is a sense of oneness and belonging. This quickly breaks down the barriers that exist between people of different races, backgrounds, etc. A volunteering stint could also lead to interesting opportunities including possibly even landing that much needed job. I must have done a good job because I was promptly invited to play a role in the FIFA under 20 world cup that is starting soon. Admittedly this is also a volunteering job but the fact is people are gauging you and could lead to opportunities. One co-volunteer is now about to introduce me to a friend who has been seeking immigration advice and so I might land a potential client too. I met quite a few international students who were volunteers too and I spoke to them and commended them for their initiative. It shows they are willing to go the extra mile to make their New Zealand experience better and possibly even create opportunities for themselves. 

So I strongly encourage anyone who is new in New Zealand to consider volunteering. It is very fulfilling at a personal level and could possibly also create a network of friends and opportunities. Not to mention the nice goodies that you get to keep as mementos :) Best wishes. And do join my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/NZOptions

Nga mihi (regards)

With the "actual" ICC World Cup...a proud moment indeed.

A replica of the world cup given to all volunteers as a memento along with a certificate of appreciation.

      

Experience of international student in New Zealand - No job and visa was about to expire!

This is the true story of one of my earlier clients. It gives a good insight into the "Experience of an international student in New Zealand - No job and visa was about to expire!" Quite a scary situation after investing a lot of time, money and effort to come to New Zealand to study.  Hear the rest of this real story to see what happened. This story is also a good indicator of how a good and committed school will support its international students.

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Nga mihi (regards)