News Update S'poreans heeding call of NZ

By Melissa Kok
A campaign launched by New Zealand to get Singaporeans to move there to work, study or live has struck a chord here.

A CAMPAIGN launched by New Zealand to get Singaporeans to move there to work, study or live has struck a chord here.

The drive, a pilot project that will eventually be extended to other countries, has seen nearly 4,500 Singaporeans register their interest in applying for a work or study visa, or permanent residency, since it was launched in January.

This makes up 78 per cent of worldwide inquiries received by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) between Jan 15 and March 1.

INZ did not say how many of the inquiries from Singaporeans related to permanent immigration.

A spokesman for INZ said Singapore was chosen for the pilot project because of 'long-standing and friendly' relations between the two countries and a strong tradition of Singaporeans studying overseas.

He added that research had shown Singapore to be a good demographic 'match' for the campaign in terms of English language proficiency and education levels.