In late 1999 NZ First defector Tuariki Delamere had managed to get himself removed from his post as Immigration Minister through pushing through an exception to immigration policy.

The exception to policy concerned substantially lowering the amount of money an overseas investor needed to invest in New Zealand to gain residency. No doubt this move would have caused apoplexy from his old New Zealand First chums residing across the benches in Opposition.

It also caused apoplexy to the Prime Minister of the time - Jenny Shipley - who had specifically instructed Delamere not to go ahead with pushing through this policy exception.

The ripples from this immigration depth charge also spread to the ACT party when it was discovered on 25 November 1999 (two days before the General Election) that Donna Awatere- Huata’s husband Wi Huata, was one of the principal movers behind the deal involving the foreign investors (and residency seekers).



It turned out that phone calls had been made to the Minister’s office on behalf of her husband after Donna Awatere-Huata was aware that Wi Huata was asking for an exception to immigration policy.

Because Wi Huata’s cellphone was not working. Wi Huata was in fact in an orchard. An orchard on his property that he shared with Donna. Wi could not call the Minister’s office because he was not in the house and his cellphone was not working. Donna Awatere- Huata was in the house and the landline was working.

Presumably bellowing at the top of his lungs whilst pruning his fruit he attracted his wife’s attention. Maybe using a mixture of loud yelling and expressive body gestures he intimated what he wanted. He wanted his wife to ring and discuss only matters of process relating to a letter.

He did not want his wife to act as an MP on his behalf. He wanted his wife to ring regarding the process of a letter. A letter requesting the Minister make an exception to immigration policy. A letter involving 21 Chinese investors being able to gain residency for investing $400,000 instead of a million dollars. So long as they invested in Maori land.

As pointed out these phone calls needed to be made because of fruit pruning and cellular phone difficulties. And Donna Awatere-Huata did not use her position as an MP to lobby on her husbands behalf. Wyatt Creech discovered this in his inquiry. An exhaustive inquiry. Indeed an inquiry that may have lasted at least a few hours.

And what became of Delamere?

Former Immigration Minister Tuariki Delamere became involved in the Immigration consultancy business after leaving Parliament - like a large number of his predecessors - but ran foul of the rules again mid 2003.

Delamere then came under fire from then Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel for running what she called a 'scam'. Mr Delamere's scheme involved migrants paying themselves rather than setting up legitimate businesses according to Dalziel. It is understood Mr Delamere's business has since folded.

Meanwhile former Deputy Prime Minister (and briefly Immigration Minister) Wyatt Creech retains an interest in immigration matters, having gone into the immigration consultancy business with Pansy Wong’s husband, Sammy Wong, and former Prime Minister Rt Hon Jenny Shipley.

Specifically, it emerged that Delamere had approved permanent residency for a group of Chinese businessmen provided they invested generously in various Māori development schemes. Delamere was widely criticised for using his authority to ensure that money was given to certain groups. Delamere himself claimed that his actions were a perfectly reasonable method of addressing Māori development needs. Although he lost the immigration portfolio, he retained his other roles.[1]

Since leaving Parliament, Delamere has established himself as an immigration consultant, founding the company of Tuariki Delamere & Associates. He also owns a successful cabaret restaurant in Auckland.

In 2000 Delamere rejoined the New Zealand National Party, the party he had started his political career with. However he ruled out a return to Parliament to concentrate on his business concerns.[2]

In March and November 2005, Delamere appeared in court on charges of fraud; the trial began in the High Court in Auckland on 7 February 2007.[3] After a 4 week trial, which cost him $1m to clear his name, it took the jury only 2 hours to find him innocent of all charges on 2 March 2007.[4]

Chamber to promote contribution of Chinese business in New Zealand
Posted On: Wednesday, 10 December 2003

The launch of the New Zealand Chinese Business Association is to be celebrated this Thursday, December 11 th at a gala cocktail function at Auckland's Carlton Hotel.

Guests at the launch will be addressed by Ethnic Affairs Minister Chris Carter, National Leader Don Brash, Auckland Mayor John Banks, the Chamber's Patron and former Prime Minister, Jenny Shipley, and chief executive of the Employers & Manufacturers Association, Alasdair Thompson.

President of the organisation, Jesse Nguy, said the NZ Chinese Business Chamber was being formed to accelerate the development of business links between Chinese business people and other New Zealand businesses.

"Our purpose is to facilitate the assimilation of Chinese business into the New Zealand business environment," Mr Nguy said.

"The objectives of the Chamber are to help New Zealand build stronger trade links with South East Asia, and to lobby Government on areas of law that are unjust. For example, the recent changes to New Zealand's immigration laws have increased the requirement for English language to an unnecessary extent.

"We will also be working to ensure Kiwis recognise the substantial contribution that Chinese business makes to New Zealand.

"We intend promoting the success of Chinese businesses in New Zealand and for this purpose we will be establishing Chinese Business Awards early in 2004 to be presented at an annual prestigious event later in the year.

"The Chamber will be affiliated to the Employers & Manufacturers Association to benefit from the business advice, especially the employment and tax advice offered by EMA in the Chinese language.

"EMA is assisting the establishment of the Chinese Business Chamber and hosting the inaugural event. Its aims are to extend EMA member contacts and networks to the Chinese business community in New Zealand.

"The NZCBC acknowledges and congratulates the many Chinese associations in the community for their good work. We want to work alongside and with them to better serve the Chinese people in New Zealand."

For further comments contact: Jesse Nguy tel 09 302 2345

The Board of Directors of the NZ Chinese Business Chamber are:

President:
Jesse Nguy LL.B., Principal, Jesse & Associates, Barristers & Solicitors

V. President:
Sammy Wong, Company Director.

V. President:
Kit Wong, AREINZ, SNZPI., Prinicpal, Kit Wong Consultants Ltd

Chief Executive:
Jill Shih M.Comm. Director, Sunrise City Investments Ltd & Suncern Properties Ltd.

Treasurer:
Jason Chooi, B.Comm. Dip. Comm., Partner, J&E Associates

Ricky Leung: Founder VST (NZ) Ltd, and Computer Express
Stoney Xie: Founder DigiCom computer retail shops.
Wei Gao: Founder Alpha Healthcare Ltd, and Mushrooms R&D Ltd

News courtesy of the Employers and Manufacturers Association.


Sammy Wong – Vice-President
Sammy Wong is an accounting graduate of the University of Canterbury with extensive experience in international trade and consultancy, high-tech investment and marketing. Sammy holds directorships with a number of New Zealand-based companies including Sampan Enterprises and Shipley, Creech and Wong; he is also active in numerous community organizations and is Chairman of the Chinese Division of the Canterbury Employer’s Chamber of Commerce.
Sammy is an avid golfer and enjoys wine and food appreciation, he is married to Pansy Wong, New Zealand’s first MP of Asian ethnic origin.

http://www.nzcbc.co.nz/index.php?view=page&id=1&PHPSESSID=5873b4626ecb1a3f62dc90be15877983



Source: Scoop 2004