The role of the Immigration and Refugee Committee encompasses watchdog, representative and educational.

As a watchdog, the Committee monitors and makes submissions where appropriate on proposed government legislation and/or policy relevant to our specialist field. Often the focus of these submissions is to contain the ever increasing and encroaching powers of government agents.

As a representative, the Committee has invested a lot of time building and enhancing bi-lateral communication between government agents and ADLS. This encompasses meetings with Senior Management from the New Zealand Immigration Service to ensure transparency in their dealings with applicants. At times it has been necessary to escalate issues to the Deputy Secretary - Department of Labour, particularly in relation to the Immigration Profiling Group. Tripartite meetings between ADLS, Refugee Status Branch and Legal Services Agency have occurred on an ‘as required basis’ to address refugee issues.

Finally, the Committee identifies CLE Seminars that would assist practitioners, focusing on either emerging areas of law or entry level seminars to assist new practitioners.

The Committee welcomes enquiries from new members through either the Convenor Peter Moses or Committee Secretary Gareth Heyns at ADLS.

Click here to view the Immigration and Refugee Law committee members.

Click here to view the Immigration and Refugee Law committee 2007/08 Annual Report