Gain strategies, tips and traps for dealing with immigration clients with criminal charges, deportation notices, domestic violence and abuse histories.  Examine the key changes and challenges that arise for these clients. Learn to manage challenging conversations with difficult clients.  Navigate the compliance requirements and challenges in lodging partner, student and investor visas through a thorough examination of the law and practice together with essential case studies.

Presenters

Arunima Dhingra, CEO and Principal, Aims Global & Global Talent
The Founder & CEO at Aims Global, Arunima Dhingra, is a long-timer in NZ's immigration industry. She has been providing immigration advice and support to businesses and migrants for over 15 years. In 2017 she won NZAMI’s prestigious Immigration Adviser/Lawyer of the Year Award as well as the Community Outreach Award. Arunima is now serving as a Board Director for NZAMI - NZ’s largest association of immigration advisers and lawyers - for the fifth year in a row and is Chairing the Policy Committee for the association for the third year. She has witnessed governments come and go, and policy changes - both good and bad. She has also been a very active voice in lobbying for changes when policies were estranged from practicalities of real life. Her wealth of experience and vast knowledge as an immigration industry leader means her input is often sought on all aspects of immigration policy development, including submissions on pilot schemes. Arunima says there isn't a boring day at work because the immigration landscape in New Zealand cannot stand still. That's how you clock in so many years and still remain so vested!


Austin Lange, Associate, Young Hunter Lawyers
Austin is an Associate in Young Hunter’s litigation and dispute resolution team. His key area of focus is immigration litigation, and he regularly advises on refugee, deportation, and criminal matters. Despite only joining Young Hunter in 2020, Austin frequently appears before the Immigration and Protection Tribunal and District Court in immigration and criminal cases. Recently, he appeared in the Supreme Court on a discharge without conviction case based on immigration consequences. He also presents to stakeholders and other lawyers on immigration matters. Outside the office, Austin regularly volunteers with Community Law Canterbury and runs immigration clinics with the Citizens Advice Bureau.


Diana Bell, Senior Associate, Stace Hammond
Diana is a specialist immigration lawyer with over 14 years experience. Diana has successfully assisted employers (owner-operated and multinational companies) across a range of industries, and private clients from within New Zealand and overseas. Diana has extensive experience advising on a broad range of visa applications, including New Zealand citizenship applications. She is highly experienced in dealing with the often complex immigration issues including character and medical waivers, deportation liability proceedings, section 61 requests, ministerial intervention, appeals to the Immigration and Protection Tribunal, achieving successful results. In addition to being a mother, Diana enjoys volunteering as a key leader in a multicultural community.


Pooja Sundar, Partner, D&S Law
Pooja is an enthusiastic and friendly lawyer who enjoys getting to know her clients and advocating them. Pooja holds a Master of Law (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Auckland. She is a legal aid registered lawyer, with experience in advising in all aspects of immigration law, including visas, residence appeals, and refugee and protection claims. Pooja has significant experience in the Family Court. Pooja’s passion for legal representation is coupled with a deep interest in human rights legislature, international criminal law, and refugee case law. She has successfully been involved in many cases involving complex issues across domestic and international spheres. Pooja also advocates for victims of domestic violence in the immigration and family law fields.


Deborah Pollard-Manning, Barrister, Landmark Chambers
Deborah Manning is a New Zealand barrister specialising in human rights law including refugee and immigration law. From 2008-2011, she was a senior legal consultant to a Geneva human rights organisation which represents victims of grave human rights violations in the Arab region. She was co-counsel for the Algerian refugee Ahmed Zaoui, successfully representing him in the review of the first national security risk certificate issued in New Zealand from 2003- 2007. This was a landmark case which saw successful applications and appeals before the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court - with Rodney Harrison QC as lead counsel. Deborah is an Executive Member of the Human Rights Foundation (first holding this Membership in 2002), and has been an Executive Member of the Refugee Council of New Zealand from 2000. She is the current convener of the Auckland District Law Society Refugee and Immigration Committee. Deborah currently practices as a barrister in Auckland supported by a team of junior barristers.


Carol Nan Ma, Director, NZ Visa Wiz Ltd
Carol Ma migrated to NZ as an international student in 2003. She developed a keen interest in immigration matters in the spirit of helping others of similar background and began practising as a licensed immigration adviser since 2014. She focuses her practice areas on temporary and resident visas for skilled migrants. Carol also holds Master of Civil Engineering from the University of Auckland and Bachelor of Civil Engineering with honours from Canterbury University. She works in both transport engineering and immigration industries. Carol finds there are interesting similarities between the two professions, working with codes and standards, flexible and agile problem solving, and standing up to challenges with good communication skills.


Katy Armstrong, Principal, Into NZ
Katy Armstrong is a fully licensed New Zealand immigration adviser. Originally a Barrister in London followed by a stint as human rights lawyer in Guatemala, Katy made New Zealand her home from 1998. Katy has strong practical as well as legal advocacy skills. She is a frequent speaker on New Zealand immigration issues and acts as Consultant to the New Zealand Association of Migration & Investment ("NZAMI") on training for immigration practitioners. Katy is also a contributing author of the 2014 New Zealand Immigration & Refugee law textbook. In 2014, Katy was part of a working group whose advocacy led to the re-opening of over 450 partnership cases decided by the New Delhi Branch of Immigration New Zealand.


Harris Gu, Senior Lawyer, Queen City Law
Prior to joining Queen City Law, Harris used to work for a former Minister of Immigration as a licensed immigration adviser for 7 years. Harris has extensive experience in dealing with all types of visa applications, as well as appeals to the Immigration & Protection Tribunal (IPT), Section 61 requests, Ministerial special directions & Ombudsman complaints. Harris obtained his LLB and BCom degrees from the University of Auckland and was admitted to the High Court of New Zealand in October 2021. Harris is pleased to have joined Queen City Law’s large award winning Immigration Law team. Harris speaks fluent Mandarin. Harris currently serves on the Law Association (“TLA” previously known as ADLS) Immigration & Refugee Law Committee. He is also recently elected as a Director of NZAMI and appointed as the Chair of its Policy & Advocacy Committee.


Simon Laurent, Principal, Laurent Law
Simon Laurent has a strong reputation as a leader in the Immigration field. He has chaired and presented seminars for both lawyers and immigration advisers, and has been called upon to provide industry comment for the media. For several years Simon sat on the Council of the Auckland District Law Society. He was a founding member of the Society's Immigration and Refugee Committee and has been a past Convenor. From 2010 to 2012 he was Chairman of the New Zealand Association of Migration and Investment, and is Chair of the NZAMI for the 2024-2025 year. Laurent Law accepts instructions to solve complex immigration situations, including referrals from other lawyers and advisers.


Bradley So, Partner, Queen City Law
Bradley So is a Director at Queen City Law and he manages the immigration team. He specialises in business migration and foreign investments. He has represented significant employers and ultra-high net worth individuals. His clients have invested in excess of $500 million in New Zealand and he has assisted multinationals with their immigration requirements.