Pacific Islanders hoping to flee the consequences of climate change and migrate to Aotearoa currently need to pay $1385 for the visa application, pass a health test, be under 45, and have a job offer.

And they must also be lucky enough to have their name drawn from a ballot.

World Vision advocacy and research advisor Dr Olivia Yates says Aotearoa's current immigration settings are not suitable for people migrating for climate-related reasons; termed "climate mobility."

In her work with World Vision, Yates believes New Zealand needs an official visa pathway for climate mobility that is "rights-based."

 

Read more at RNZ International.