Iain MacLeod

director & adviser

Iain has been working as an Immigration Adviser since 1988 and has been running his own practice since 1990. In 1998 he merged his practice with Myer Lipschitz leading to the creation of Protea Pacific Limited which was rebranded in 2008 to IMMagine New Zealand Limited. A former Vice Chairman and Director of the New Zealand Association for Migration and Investment and also the New Zealand Immigration institute, Iain’s experience and understanding of the migration process led to his being appointed to the Government’s Working Group that established the Immigration Advisers Licensing Authority (IAA). In its first year of operation Iain was appointed as an Industry Representative to the IAA reference group. Iain holds a B.Sc from Auckland University and holds a full licence with the IAA.

Below you can find his weekly blog on all things migration is read by thousands under the pseudonym Southern Man

Posts by Iain MacLeod

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The Value of a Good Strategy

I have always thought that the role of a good immigration adviser is to save...
November 24, 2023
Iain MacLeod
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Work Visa Processing Times Balloon

Three weeks after election day in New Zealand we are still waiting the outcome of...
November 10, 2023
Iain MacLeod
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New Government, New Immigration Settings

On October 14 New Zealanders voted to change the government. The incumbent Labour Party, all...
October 27, 2023
Iain MacLeod
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What Is A Medical Waiver?

In order to secure most visas for New Zealand an applicant must be of an...
October 13, 2023
Iain MacLeod
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Green List Expansion

It is becoming increasingly clear that the current Government intends to use the Green List...
September 29, 2023
Iain MacLeod
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The Failed NZ Accredited Employer Policy

Migrant exploitation is not something you’d generally associate with New Zealand but it has hit...
September 1, 2023
Iain MacLeod
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New Zealand A Snapshot For Prospective Migrants

Last week my business partner Myer offered an objective statistical view of Australia. Swimming as...
August 18, 2023
Iain MacLeod
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Perils of Partially Correct Immigration Advice

A few days ago I had a consultation with a family of four – I’ll...
August 4, 2023
Iain MacLeod
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Immigration Wish List For This Year’s Election

We are less than 90 days out from our three yearly national elections and neither...
July 21, 2023
Iain MacLeod
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Q&A On The New Points System

I have been asked by many prospective and existing clients in recent weeks a number...
July 7, 2023
Iain MacLeod
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New Skilled Migrant Changes (NZ) – Lift Off!

The Government confirmed that the new 6 point pathway to residence for highly skilled migrants...
June 21, 2023
Iain MacLeod
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Visa Settings Creating Migrant Exploitation Fears

You might think after 33 years in this profession, helping tens of thousands of people...
June 16, 2023
Iain MacLeod
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When Is a Migrant Not Really a Migrant

Interpreting statistics can be like reading tea leaves – you sometimes see what you want...
June 2, 2023
Iain MacLeod
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Minister Teases On New Policy Date

I will hand it to the New Zealand Minister of Immigration, Michael Wood, he’s a...
April 21, 2023
Iain MacLeod
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Why Is It So Hard To Get A Job?

In a snapshot of the tightness of the New Zealand labour market a few days...
March 31, 2023
Iain MacLeod
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Threading the Salary Needle

New Zealand is a great little country if you are good enough to pass the...
March 17, 2023
Iain MacLeod