This article appears in the N Z Herald this morning, thoughts please?

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=10879156

Just my views: I think anyone immigrating should have at least 10 years of tax paying before they would be entitled to claim a pension.

And before the shrieks of ignorance, agree with Boopy all elderly immigrant British, European, Amercian, Asian, African, Australian, morlocks, reptilians, orks and trolls contribute 10 years of taxes before getting a pension?

If only we had the same luxury of being able to pick and choose the immigrants comming into the UK.

Interesting facts:

Percentage of the population of NZ born abroad (2011): 23%
Percentage of the population of England & Wales born abroad (2011): 13%

Sources:

http://www.dol.govt.nz/publications/...10-2011/06.asp
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census...-migrants.html

I think that many young, skilled immigrants simply won't move to NZ if they are not allowed to bring their parents. So aging parents are not a concern because they are the reason why many young talented and skilled migrants come, stay, work, and live in NZ.

Ageing parents are a concern lets not be naive about this. Yes it is important to encourage young talented individuals to NZ however there are loop holes and these are being exploited to the detriment of country. UK prime example!!!

At least they're bringing their money with them. What's the problem? Bring their money and spend it on the economy without obtaining government help. Oh and purchasing a nice house to live in.

They're not flying over to live with their son, daughter, grandson, grand-daughter, cousin, uncle, auntie, and any other family they have - within a 4 bedroom council house, scavving of the highly generous benefit system

Or what i'm seeing from london papers, bringing all their belongings and living outside shops on Park Lane and Marble Arch, making their monies by mugging people!

Why?

You do understand the concept of reciprocal pension rights?

Yes I do! My thoughts include UK!

Exactly

Far from wanting to uproot their whole social network (not a very easy concept for people approaching retirement) and take the easy life on what a couple of hundred dollars per week??

Only people concerned about this issue are those green with envy that others have worked hard and look forward to a retirement sunnier than themselves.

So whats your issue?

I have no issue! This poster asked for thoughts, this is a forum & that's what people do here.

Editorial: Playing field on migration too lopsided


......Something is awry when nearly 40 per cent of the migrants from China who gained permanent residence last year were aged 50 or over. And when the Government's attempt to address the problem seems only to have made it worse................

................Some of the young Chinese migrants have done their cause few favours. They have used this country as a stepping stone, especially to Australia, while leaving their parents here to enjoy superior welfare provisions. The current parent reunion rules continue to favour Chinese migrants to a degree that outweighs their valid need for special recognition.


http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/ne...ectid=10879763

In the US 75% of all immigrants are family members, not skilled migrants.