What do the latest immigration law changes mean for your clients? How are policies shifting, and what challenges will you need to tackle? Gain valuable insights into skilled residence options, the digital nomad visa, and strategies for managing character and medical waiver challenges. Join leading experts as they break down policy changes, compliance complexities, high-risk cases, and alternative resolution strategies.

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. 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!


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. 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.


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.


Shi Sheng Cai (Shoosh), Senior Associate, Copeland Ashcroft
Shi Sheng Cai (Shoosh) is a Senior Associate at Copeland Ashcroft and regularly acts for employers to help with immigration matters. He has over 7 years of work experience in the immigration sector including experience in the areas of global mobility, corporate immigration, investor migration and expertise with complex New Zealand immigration matters. Shoosh is a member of the Law Association Immigration Committee and is an author for Thomson Reuters Human Rights Law resource. You will find Shoosh "a great guy to deal with". He enjoys working with government officers and is a critical thinker with an insightful legal mind.


Mahafrin Variava, Associate, McVeagh Fleming
Mahafrin has extensive experience and knowledge of immigration law. Her clients appreciate her dedication to solving complex immigration problems and winning difficult cases. Mahafrin joined Pitt & Moore in 2021. Mahafrin has a great appreciation for and insight into different cultures and is able to assist clients in Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi and Urdu. Mahafrin practices in all areas of immigration law and has more recently, branched out into the employment law space. Although Mahafrin’s clientele are a mixture of private and corporate – she finds it most fulfilling to reunite families and help new migrants blend into the fabric of Aotearoa. You can expect Mahafrin to provide you tailored and detailed immigration advice. She takes pride in her thorough submissions and her ability to seamlessly work her magic to get the best possible outcome for her clients.


Pooja Sundar, Partner, Dalley Sundar
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.


Austin Lange, Associate, Young Hunter Lawyers
Austin is an Associate in Young Hunter’s litigation and disputes resolution team. He advises and presents on all areas of immigration litigation, with a focus on refugee, deportation, and criminal matters. Austin regularly appears for clients in the Tribunal, District Court, and High Court. Recently, he was invited to consult on a Supreme Court case relating to the immigration consequences of criminal convictions. Austin is also involved with Community Law Canterbury and the Citizens Advice Bureau’s Christchurch immigration clinic as a volunteer lawyer.


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 Auckland District Law Society (“ADLS”) Immigration & Refugee Law Committee.


Lauren Qiu, Principal, Stay Legal
Lauren is the Principal at Stay Legal. She has presented at national seminars and conferences on immigration law. Lauren is an immigration law commentary author for Thomson Reuters. Lauren is currently a Committee Member of The Law Association’s (formerly Auckland District Law Society) Immigration & Refugee Law Committee, a Member of the Tauranga Migrant Settlement Network (an Immigration New Zealand led Welcoming Communities initiative), and a Volunteer Immigration Solicitor at the Citizens Advice Bureau (Tauranga). Previously, she was a guest lecturer, teaching aspiring immigration advisers at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology.


Jack Cheng, Partner, MC
Jack is a highly experienced and respected immigration lawyer with a deep understanding of New Zealand immigration laws and policies. Well known for his ability to handle complex immigration matters, Jack has successfully assisted hundreds of immigration clients who faced significant character, health, investment or humanitarian issues. He is a member of the Law Association Immigration & Refugee Law Committee and speaks regularly at immigration seminars and conferences across New Zealand. Before joining MC, Jack litigated in several high-profile trials involving organised crime, the importation and supply of drugs, money laundering and murder. He is fluent in English and Mandarin, conversational in two other Chinese dialects and understands basic Japanese.