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Further to Written Question 6242 (2026), what criteria, if any, distinguish “reasonable suspicion” from ordinary nervousness, reluctance to engage, language difficulties, or cultural differences during immigration compliance encounters? and 2 other questions

Answered 20116, 20169, 20170 (2026)
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Asked by

Ricardo Menéndez March

List MP · Green Party

Questions

  • 20116

    Further to Written Question 6242 (2026), what criteria, if any, distinguish “reasonable suspicion” from ordinary nervousness, reluctance to engage, language difficulties, or cultural differences during immigration compliance encounters?

  • 20169

    What guidance, if any, is provided to Immigration New Zealand officers to ensure that requests for identification or nationality information are exercised consistently with the New Zealand Human Rights Act 1993?

  • 20170

    What guidance, if any, is provided to Immigration New Zealand officers to ensure that requests for identification or nationality information are exercised consistently with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990?

Answered by

Hon Erica Stanford

Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Immigration

Answer

I am advised that all Compliance officers receive extensive training including on the powers they have under the Immigration Act 2009 what types of observations and behaviours may contribute to forming 'good cause to suspect' in the range of scenarios it applies.  This training also covers the rights and obligations that people have under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 and how to best engage with migrants - this includes different cultural perspectives of authority figures, which may influence how people interact with them.