Learn about the many changes recently made by Immigration NZ. Hear from the Immigration and Protection Tribunal, review visa category updates and gain practical tips for developing character waivers in partnership cases. Explore Section 61 requests and dive into a practical session on client interviewing tips for intellectually diverse clients. Discover how to navigate statutory powers in the immigration context and learn how to best request files from INZ.

Presenters

Ms. Katy Armstrong, Owner and Principal Consultant, 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.


Ms. Rachael Mason, Partner, Lane Neave
Rachael is one of two Partners in the Immigration team. She is qualified in New Zealand and England & Wales and has practised exclusively in the area of immigration law for a number of years, both in the United Kingdom and in New Zealand. She is a trusted adviser to a diverse range of employer and corporate clients from start-up companies to global organisations and is highly regarded for her expertise in advising on both transactional and strategic immigration and visa requirements. Rachael also assists private clients with individual temporary and residence visa applications and works with high net worth clients, entrepreneurs and third party advisors in the private wealth industry in relation to complex immigration and citizenship applications. Rachael regularly presents to HR and other professionals regarding key immigration policy changes and issues related to recruiting and maintaining an immigration-compliant workforce. Her clients value her high quality technical expertise and practical solutions to immigration issues.


Aaron Martin, Principal Lawyer, New Zealand Immigration Law
Aaron Martin is one of New Zealand’s most highly regarded practitioners of immigration law. Holding a law degree from the University of Auckland, Aaron has decades of experience in assisting private individuals, SMBs, and corporate clients. He is a member of the New Zealand Association for Migration and Investment (NZAMI), a professional association for New Zealand migration advisors and those who use their services. Aaron’s early experience as an immigration consultant for Malcolm Pacific has given him considerable skill in evaluating complex cases, including those requiring ministerial intervention, appeals, and character or medical waivers. An immigration lawyer for 25 years, he has a sterling reputation and an excellent working relationship with Immigration New Zealand. Aaron is also well-versed in general legal practice and possesses a thorough working knowledge of relevant tax laws and commercial issues facing Investor Category applicants and migrants seeking to establish a business in New Zealand. While he specialises in commercial issues, Aaron takes great pleasure in reuniting families and helping international students transition to the workforce and onto residency.


Ms. Dilki Rajapakse, Barrister, DR Legal
Born and raised in Sri Lanka, Dilki Rajapakse, completed her LLB degree at the University of Colombo and was admitted to the Sri Lanka Bar in 1988. Dilki emigrated to NZ in 1989. She was employed as a manager for Workbridge, an employment agency which specialised in assisting people with disabilities to join the workforce. In 2001 Dilki joint Valant Hooker & Partners as a solicitor. In 2008, Dilki ventured out and started her own successful practice in South Auckland specialising in Family Law and Immigration Law.


Mr. Marcus Beveridge, Managing Director, Queen City Law NZ Limited
Marcus Beveridge is the Managing Director of Queen City Law NZ Limited. His main areas of practice are construction and property law, commercial law, foreign investment, real estate services and immigration. Marcus has developed expertise in business-based immigration and has acted on literally 100's of successful business-based immigration applications over the best part of 3 decades. Many of these clients have subsequently become major clients of his firm. The total amount of business immigration funds invested in NZ in the last decade is close to NZ$10 Billion. Marcus is a regular commentator on immigration based issues on national Radio & TV and has presented and chaired many NZ Immigration Law conferences over the years. Marcus has also recently been on several Working Groups and Immigration Reference Groups liaising with senior INZ management about assorted immigration issues. His firm comprises one of NZ’s largest immigration law teams. Marcus was formerly Chairman of NZAMI and Convenor of the New Zealand Law Society Immigration Committee.


Mr. Stewart Dalley, Partner, D&S Law
Stewart has experience in representing clients at the Immigration and Protection Tribunal, Family Court, District Court and High Court. Stewart is the Chair of the Auckland District Law Society’s Immigration and Refugee Law Committee. He is experienced in all aspects of immigration and refugee law, assisting clients with complex visa applications, deportations, humanitarian appeals, and refugee claims. His wealth of experience in the trade unions in the UK, coupled with his knowledge of immigration and employment matters saw him selected by the government to be a member of the Migrant Worker Exploitation Consultation Group which recommended various measures to protect migrant workers in the workplace.


Judge Martin Treadwell, Chairperson, Immigration and Protection Tribunal
Judge Treadwell was a barrister and solicitor of Auckland, who was sworn in in 2021 and is the Chairperson of the Immigration and Protection Tribunal. He started practice as a staff solicitor with Daniel, Overton and Goulding and then Haigh Lyon in Auckland before becoming a member of the Refugee Status Appeals Authority in 1995. He has since held appointment with a number of immigration tribunals and authorities and has been the Deputy Chair of the Immigration and Protection Tribunal since its establishment in 2010. He has extensive experience in immigration matters and is the present secretary of the International Association of Refugee and Migration Judges, having been a member and chapter president since 1998.


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.


Ms. 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


Mr. Richard Small, Director and Senior Lawyer, Pacific Legal Immigration Lawyers
Richard Small has over 22 years of specialist experience as a lawyer in his field. He is a member of the Auckland District Law Society Immigration and Refugee Law Committee. He has held various New Zealand Law Society Immigration Committee positions and is often quoted in national media as an immigration expert. He co-presented the New Zealand Law Society submission to Parliament on what became the Immigration Act 2009. Richard served on the Board of Directors of the New Zealand Association of Migration Investment (NZAMI) from 2015 to 2018, the largest peak body for immigration advisers in New Zealand. He was the Association's Policy Chair in 2017/18 and played a key role in submissions on a range of major changes to instructions and processes during that time. Pacific Legal ltd Richard's firm has offices in Auckland and Wellington and covers a wide range of immigration work. The firm is known both for its work individual cases but also in its reform work. The firm has won local and international recognition for its work. It covers the full ambit of immigration work from humanitarian to business and investment visas. Richard is now based in the Auckland office and leads of team of 5 staff who each have considerable experience in their own fields.