Raynardt van der Merwe and his family will board a plane in November and head back to South Africa, their dream of relocating to NZ eroded by the Government’s uncertain immigration policy.
A taxidermist and hunting guide based in Hawea, Central Otago, van der Merwe has been working in partnership with Glen Dene Hunting and Fishing since December 2019.
“I was reasonably confident I had a good opportunity by relocating to NZ and in fact getting a work visa and working towards residency.”
Even though he has an essential skills visa, the lack of certainty about the path to residency, meant they could not plan for a future.
“The pathway is just not there, there is no clear route.
“I wanted assurance but I just could not get any.”
The Government’s introduction this week of a special one-off residency visa for migrants, is a month too late for van der Merwe although he is pleased for those who will qualify.
“I’ve virtually sold everything I own, it’s dragged on for so long.”
