Righteous Law - Alastair McClymont

11/06/2026

In this week’s blog I examine whether recent immigration policy proposals and enforcement measures signal a shift towards a more punitive approach to immigration in New Zealand. I discuss the risks of adopting policies driven by fear and political rhetoric, and what this could mean for migrants and New Zealand’s long-standing values of fairness and inclusion.

Read more in the link below.

A closer look at New Zealand immigration policy, enforcement powers, and growing concerns about migrant rights.

06/06/2026

n this week’s blog I examine how New Zealand’s immigration system has become increasingly reliant on temporary migrant labour, creating conditions that can leave migrants vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. I discuss how policies that promise opportunity can, in practice, place migrants in precarious situations while benefiting employers and the wider economy.

Read more in the link below.

Explore how the New Zealand Immigration System creates vulnerability for temporary migrants and the long-term impact on workers, families, and society.

27/05/2026

In this week’s blog I discuss the recent changes to New Zealand’s Skilled Migrant Residence policies and how they may allow some migrants to qualify for residence sooner than expected. I also examine what these changes reveal about the wider direction of New Zealand’s immigration system and the ongoing challenges many migrants still face on the pathway to permanent residency.

For more info read below

Learn how the August 2026 residence changes could help skilled migrants qualify for New Zealand residence sooner than expected.

15/05/2026

In this week’s blog I discuss how getting a visa is often only the beginning of a migrant’s journey in New Zealand, with immigration issues frequently overlapping with employment, business, family, and property matters. I also highlight why having the right legal support across these areas can make a significant difference as migrants build their lives in New Zealand.

Read more below

Immigration legal services New Zealand clients trust often involve more than visas, including employment, family, business, and property matters.

11/05/2026

In this week’s blog I examine the government’s claim that employers should hire New Zealanders first before turning to migrant labour, and whether the current immigration system can realistically verify that this is genuinely happening in practice. I discuss the gap between political rhetoric and the practical realities of a labour market that has become increasingly reliant on temporary migrant workers.

Read more in the link below.

A closer look at the Accredited Employer Work Visa system, migrant labour dependence, and labour market verification in New Zealand.

08/05/2026

In this week’s blog I highlight the issue of migrant worker exploitation in New Zealand and the systemic gaps that continue to leave migrants vulnerable to abuse, including wage theft, excessive hours, and threats linked to visa status. I also discuss why current protections are falling short and what needs to change to better safeguard migrant workers.

Read more in the link below.

Is exploitation really about bad employers? Discover how New Zealand’s immigration system creates vulnerability for migrant workers.

08/05/2026

In this week’s blog I highlight the concerning expansion of immigration powers in New Zealand and the lack of proper scrutiny these changes have received, both in public discourse and through legislative processes. I discuss how misleading narratives and insufficient oversight risk normalising powers that may undermine fundamental rights and disproportionately impact migrant communities.

I also examine why robust scrutiny and accountability are essential when such significant powers are proposed, and the broader implications of failing to properly question these changes.

Read more in the link below.

Did immigration law changes expand enforcement powers? Learn how new rules impact visa holders and public accountability in New Zealand.

16/04/2026

In this weeks blog I highlight the dangers to the migrant community of this government's proposed amendment to the Immigration Act which will give powers to Immigration officers to demand identification from migrants in workplaces, homes and other public places. These amendments have similarities to many of the Immigration enforcement actions we see on the TV news in the USA with ICE agents arresting people who look like migrants and are not carrying citizenship ID.

Read more here
https://amlaw.co.nz/erica-stanford-wants-to-flush-out-overstayers-political-thinkers-have-long-warned-about-this-playbook/

08/04/2026

In this weeks blog my colleague Jo Haria has written about the recent Open Work Visa changes. Click her to read her post and feel free to contact me with any question:
https://righteouslaw.com/open-work-visa-new-zealand-2026/

02/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1B4M9ijA7T/

In this week's blog I explain why both Visitor Visa decisions and enforcement action against migrants targets discriminates based on the country that you're from. Read more here:
https://amlaw.co.nz/the-colour-of-risk-new-zealands-immigration-system-and-the-ethnic-logic-it-wont-name/