Is New Zealand’s ADEPT Immigration System Really as "Adept" as It Claims?

When Immigration New Zealand (INZ) introduced its amplified Immigration online system “ADEPT” it was pitched as the modern solution to an age-old problem- bureaucracy. With promises of automation, better customer service and less errors, ADEPT was supposed to accompany the new era of immigration process. But it's been nearly two years now and now we wonder who is really benefiting here?

ADEPT or INEPT?

1. Improved quality and consistency of decision-making - Great, but how? The plan mentions "less manual work" and "built-in assurance," yet Phase 2’s rollout in 2021 Resident Visa suggests otherwise. The applicants faced delays and confusion.

2. Better risk management - ADEPT claims to offer a "single source of truth," but does it? The AEWV (Accredited Employer Work Visa) process has been known to be a slowpoke and opaque. 

3. User-friendly tools - Still countless users face clunky interfaces and unexplained delays. "Timely service" sounds nice, but is there proof? 

   
   

The Strategic Goals

1. Puts customers first: Focuses on meeting customer needs.

2. Supports & values staff: Ensures employees are heard & growth.

3. Identifies & manages risks early: Protects national interests & individuals’ rights.

4. Makes processes simple: To keep immigration processes clear and easy.

5. Helps people follow rules: To make it easy for customers & business to understand their rights and obligations.

6. Reduces immigration harm: Maximising benefits to reduce immigration harm.

7. Work collectively: To build trust and confidence by working collectively for the integrity of the immigration system and better customer service.

   
   

Automation or Humanity

In almost all cases, both should exist as they are dependent on each other. ADEPT’s push is no doubt a necessary and bold undertaking, as automation aims to reduce manual tasks and improve efficiency, particularly in handling high volumes of applications. While this may streamline operations, it raises concerns about the potential loss of human oversight in complex or sensitive cases that require empathy and nuanced judgment. The shift toward automation prompts questions about whether the drive for efficiency and cost-cutting could compromise the fairness and quality of outcomes for migrants. Technology must not become a mask for impersonal bureaucracy. The real test of ADEPT is not how fast it processes visas, but how fairly and humanely it meets the requirements.