Latest news with #SteveWatson
Scoop
08-07-2025
- Scoop
Immigration NZ Confirms Fraud In Samoa: Staff Bribed To Help Samoan Nationals Obtain Visas
Article – RNZ Immigration New Zealand says immigration workers helped the offender obtain paperwork or win favourable treatment in exchange for bribes. Kaya Selby, RNZ Pacific journalist Second Samoan national sentenced to six months home detention in New Zealand migrant exploitation case. Was it a case of corruption? 'Yes', an INZ spokesperson said. INZ found immigration workers in Samoa engaged in 'internal fraud'. Immigration NZ (INZ) says immigration workers in Samoa helped an individual obtain visas fraudulently between 2014 and 2021. INZ general manager of immigration investigations and compliance Steve Watson told RNZ Pacific that they were brought to New Zealand 'with a whole lot of fraud going on back in Samoa that we've addressed'. The revelation follows this week's sentencing of a Samoan national for their role in aiding other Samoans to work in New Zealand illegally between 2016 and 2021. They were a paid 'associate' of the primary offender, who was sentenced back in April for running a service setting Samoans up with fake working visas. The associate was sentenced to six months' home detention, while the primary offender was sentenced to four years' imprisonment and ordered to pay NZ$4000 in reparations. RNZ reported at the time that the two individuals employed Samoan nationals unlawfully in New Zealand and supported others to breach their visa conditions. INZ's acting general manager of immigration compliance & investigation Michael Carley said workers were lured to New Zealand under the offer to make money they can send to their families in Samoa. 'The individual would then either directly or indirectly, through extended family or friends, sponsor a worker's visitor visa and manage the process of applying for visas through Immigration New Zealand. Even paying for related visa fees and airfares.' Once in New Zealand, they were often employed for more than 40 hours a week and paid a daily rate of $100, below the adult minimum wage. A case of corruption Immigration workers helped the offender obtain paperwork or win favourable treatment, in exchange for bribes, INZ's Steve Watson explained. 'Back in Samoa this person took advantage of a contact they had…and they were able to fraudulently obtain visas for these people,' Watson said. 'It wasn't a significant amount [of visas] because we were quickly able to identify the gap, and we've made a number of changes to our security procedures in the office some time ago now, but it was quickly identified and these persons were arrested and charged.' When RNZ Pacific asked whether this was a case of corruption, Watson said it was. 'It was a case of internal fraud which we very quicky discovered, and the matter was resolved through an employment issue.' Watson said this was a one-off incident and the offenders are not tied to any wider networks. 'This is not very common, and we take this very very seriously when it comes to our attention,' Watson said. 'The fact that it was able to be discovered is actually a sign that the immigration system and the compliance and investigations aspect of it is working.' He said no recognised seasonal employers were involved in this case.
Scoop
08-07-2025
- Scoop
Immigration NZ Confirms Fraud In Samoa: Staff Bribed To Help Samoan Nationals Obtain Visas
Second Samoan national sentenced to six months home detention in New Zealand migrant exploitation case. Was it a case of corruption? ''Yes'', an INZ spokesperson said. INZ found immigration workers in Samoa engaged in ''internal fraud''. Immigration NZ (INZ) says immigration workers in Samoa helped an individual obtain visas fraudulently between 2014 and 2021. INZ general manager of immigration investigations and compliance Steve Watson told RNZ Pacific that they were brought to New Zealand "with a whole lot of fraud going on back in Samoa that we've addressed". The revelation follows this week's sentencing of a Samoan national for their role in aiding other Samoans to work in New Zealand illegally between 2016 and 2021. They were a paid "associate" of the primary offender, who was sentenced back in April for running a service setting Samoans up with fake working visas. The associate was sentenced to six months' home detention, while the primary offender was sentenced to four years' imprisonment and ordered to pay NZ$4000 in reparations. RNZ reported at the time that the two individuals employed Samoan nationals unlawfully in New Zealand and supported others to breach their visa conditions. INZ's acting general manager of immigration compliance & investigation Michael Carley said workers were lured to New Zealand under the offer to make money they can send to their families in Samoa. "The individual would then either directly or indirectly, through extended family or friends, sponsor a worker's visitor visa and manage the process of applying for visas through Immigration New Zealand. Even paying for related visa fees and airfares." Once in New Zealand, they were often employed for more than 40 hours a week and paid a daily rate of $100, below the adult minimum wage. A case of corruption Immigration workers helped the offender obtain paperwork or win favourable treatment, in exchange for bribes, INZ's Steve Watson explained. "Back in Samoa this person took advantage of a contact they they were able to fraudulently obtain visas for these people," Watson said. "It wasn't a significant amount [of visas] because we were quickly able to identify the gap, and we've made a number of changes to our security procedures in the office some time ago now, but it was quickly identified and these persons were arrested and charged." When RNZ Pacific asked whether this was a case of corruption, Watson said it was. "It was a case of internal fraud which we very quicky discovered, and the matter was resolved through an employment issue." Watson said this was a one-off incident and the offenders are not tied to any wider networks. "This is not very common, and we take this very very seriously when it comes to our attention," Watson said. "The fact that it was able to be discovered is actually a sign that the immigration system and the compliance and investigations aspect of it is working." He said no recognised seasonal employers were involved in this case.
RNZ News
08-07-2025
- RNZ News
Immigration NZ confirms fraud in Samoa: Staff bribed to help Samoan nationals obtain visas
Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi Immigration NZ (INZ) says immigration workers in Samoa helped an individual obtain visas fraudulently between 2014 and 2021. INZ general manager of immigration investigations and compliance Steve Watson told RNZ Pacific that they were brought to New Zealand "with a whole lot of fraud going on back in Samoa that we've addressed". The revelation follows this week's sentencing of a Samoan national for their role in aiding other Samoans to work in New Zealand illegally between 2016 and 2021. They were a paid "associate" of the primary offender, who was sentenced back in April for running a service setting Samoans up with fake working visas. The associate was sentenced to six months' home detention, while the primary offender was sentenced to four years' imprisonment and ordered to pay NZ$4000 in reparations. RNZ reported at the time that the two individuals employed Samoan nationals unlawfully in New Zealand and supported others to breach their visa conditions. INZ's acting general manager of immigration compliance & investigation Michael Carley said workers were lured to New Zealand under the offer to make money they can send to their families in Samoa. "The individual would then either directly or indirectly, through extended family or friends, sponsor a worker's visitor visa and manage the process of applying for visas through Immigration New Zealand. Even paying for related visa fees and airfares." Once in New Zealand, they were often employed for more than 40 hours a week and paid a daily rate of $100, below the adult minimum wage. Immigration workers helped the offender obtain paperwork or win favourable treatment, in exchange for bribes, INZ's Steve Watson explained. "Back in Samoa this person took advantage of a contact they they were able to fraudulently obtain visas for these people," Watson said. "It wasn't a significant amount [of visas] because we were quickly able to identify the gap, and we've made a number of changes to our security procedures in the office some time ago now, but it was quickly identified and these persons were arrested and charged." When RNZ Pacific asked whether this was a case of corruption, Watson said it was. "It was a case of internal fraud which we very quicky discovered, and the matter was resolved through an employment issue." Watson said this was a one-off incident and the offenders are not tied to any wider networks. "This is not very common, and we take this very very seriously when it comes to our attention," Watson said. "The fact that it was able to be discovered is actually a sign that the immigration system and the compliance and investigations aspect of it is working." He said no recognised seasonal employers were involved in this case.
Scoop
07-07-2025
- Scoop
Second Samoan National Sentenced For Migrant Exploitation
A second individual involved in a long-running migrant exploitation case has now been sentenced at the Auckland District Court, marking another significant step in holding those responsible for serious immigration and labour violations to account. The associate of a previously sentenced Samoan national has been sentenced to six months home detention for their role in aiding and abetting people to breach a condition of their visas, this relates to a wider investigation into the exploitation of vulnerable migrant workers between 2016 and 2021. This sentencing follows the earlier conviction of the primary offender, who was sentenced to four years' imprisonment and ordered to pay $4,000 in reparations. The associate played a key role in facilitating the unlawful employment of Samoan nationals in New Zealand. They provided accommodation for many of the exploited workers and assisted in the visa application process, fully aware that the individuals were not permitted to work under the conditions of their visas. In addition, the associate received monetary compensation from the primary offender and was responsible for distributing wages to workers while the offender was overseas. These workers were often paid below minimum wage, denied basic employment rights, and worked long hours without proper documentation or protections. Steve Watson, General Manager Immigration Investigations and Compliance, recognises the importance of holding offenders to account to uphold the integrity of New Zealand's immigration system. 'This case highlights the consequences for those who choose to exploit migrants and undermine our immigration laws,' said Steve Watson. 'We are committed to working with our partners to ensure that those who engage in such unethical and illegal practices are brought to justice.' The case was the result of a five-year investigation initiated in 2020 following a tip-off to Crimestoppers. It involved close collaboration between several teams across the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to successfully bring these charges before the courts. MBIE continues to encourage anyone with information about immigration fraud or migrant exploitation to come forward. Reports can be made by calling 0800 200 088 or anonymously through Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Global dividend funds attract inflows on rate-cut hopes and market jitters
By Patturaja Murugaboopathy (Reuters) -Global funds that invest in dividend-paying stocks are drawing strong flows this year, following two years of tepid investor demand, as investors seek assets with a stable income while they navigate geopolitical and economic tensions. Higher dividend-yielding stocks have become popular as the technology sector, which was last year's standout performer, lags behind dividend-heavy sectors such as utilities and energy in 2025. Global dividend-focused exchange-traded funds attracted $23.7 billion in inflows in the first half of 2025, the most in three years, according to Lipper data from LSEG. "Consistent dividend growth signals a company's managers are disciplined at capital allocation and confident about future business prospects," said Steve Watson, an equity portfolio manager at Capital Group. "With tariff negotiations likely to linger for months, dividend growers could provide portfolios with a measure of stability when markets become volatile." Sector-wise, energy led the way with a global dividend yield of 4.75%, followed by real estate at 3.7%, utilities at 3.3%, and financials at 3%, according to LSEG data. By region, Europe had the highest dividend yield of 3%, while Asia-Pacific's dividend yield was 2.6% and the U.S. lagged with an average dividend yield of 1.4%. "With policymakers widely expected to trim rates later in the year, the bond side of the ledger could see coupons ratchet lower, while a broad swath of companies still have room to hold or even lift their dividends," said Chad Harmer, chief investment officer at Harmer Wealth Management. "If that script plays out, the income gap should tilt further in equities' favour." The iShares International Select Dividend ETF has gained nearly 26% this year, while the Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF and the Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF are up around 18% each. In comparison, the MSCI World Index has returned 8.5% year-to-date.
