9. Question No. 9—ImmigrationINGRID LEARY (Labour—Taieri) to the Minister of ImmigrationQuestion No. 9—Immigration9. INGRID LEARY (Labour—Taieri) to the Minister of Immigration: What recent announcement has he made regarding a residence pathway for Special Ukraine Visa holders who are settled in New Zealand?Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Immigration): On Saturday I announced a new residence pathway for Special Ukraine Visa holders. The Special Ukraine Visa originally allowed Ukrainians with close relatives who are New Zealand citizens or residents to come to New Zealand to shelter for two years. Latterly conditions were amended to allow non-family to sponsor Special Ukraine Visa holders. Most of the Ukrainians who took up the visa hoped they could return home quickly but that hasn't been possible with the ongoing war. Special Ukraine Visa holders in New Zealand up to 14 March 2024 will now be able to apply for residency. The Ukrainians who are coming here to New Zealand are contributing to our country. Their kids are becoming more Kiwi by the day and it's important that they have the security of certainty that they can stay and make New Zealand home.Ingrid Leary: What has been the uptake of the Special Ukraine Visa?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: As at 20 August 2023 around 1510 Special Ukraine Visas have been granted. Around 720 people have travelled to New Zealand on this visa including those who've left New Zealand and re-entered on one or more occasions. Right now around 340 special category visa holders are in New Zealand. The residence pathway announced on Saturday will be available to Special Ukraine Visa holders where the principal applicant was granted a visa and travelled to New Zealand before 15 March next year.Ingrid Leary: What will be the requirements for residents on the new pathway?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: We are striking a balance between making the pathway easy to access on one hand and prudent protection of our borders on the other. Normal character checks and identity requirements will apply however only a limited medical certificate will have to be provided. Applicants will not need a sponsor and do not have to sit English language tests. While a $1200 residence visa application fee will apply we have decided to waive the immigration levy.Ingrid Leary: What response has he seen to the announcement?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: I've seen feedback from the community advocacy group Mahi for Ukraine which along with Ukrainian associations and World Vision has done so much to raise the plight of Ukrainians seeking shelter in New Zealand. Mahi for Ukraine has said the new residence pathway provides much-needed certainty and is as they say a beacon of hope" and that "New Zealand's actions speak volumes about its commitment to humanitarian values and we are thankful to be a part of a nation that stands by those in need." Ingrid Leary: What else has the Government done to support Ukraine to defend itself against Russia's invasion?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: This Government has stood resolutely with Ukraine against Russia's illegal and immoral war. We provided more than $4 million of diplomatic support to the International Criminal Court the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and for nuclear safety and security. We've provided almost $20 million of economic and humanitarian assistance. And we've contributed more than $58 million of military assistance including deploying New Zealand Defence Force personnel to the UK to train Ukrainian troops. I can tell you that my colleague the Minister of Defence saw when he attended the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Ramstein in Germany that the democratic world is enormously grateful for the contributions New Zealand has made to the defence of a faraway democracy. Слава Україні!"