New Zealand (see also Saudi Arabia)

Growing number of Asian immigrants

According to New Zealand’s Culture and Identity report, based on the 2006 census, although Europeans are the largest migrant group in New Zealand, the latest census figures show the country’s changing face in terms of ethnicity, languages and religions. The 2006 census put the New Zealand population at 4,181,060. Europeans account for 67.6 percent of the population, followed by Maoris, with 14.6 percent, and Asians, with 9.2 percent, and Pacific Islanders, with 6.9 percent. Asians are the fastest growing ethnic group.

The major groups in New Zealand comprise the following: Chinese, 147,570; Indians, 104,583; Koreans, 30,792; Filipinos, 16,938; Japanese, 11,910; Sri Lankans, 8,310; and Cambodians, 6,918. Two-thirds of the Asian population lived in Auckland.

English remains the most common tongue, spoken by some 96 percent of the population. The 2006 census, however, registered more people who could speak two or more languages, 17.6 percent, up from 13.6 in the 1996 census. The number of Hindi, Mandarin and Afrikaans speakers increased in the last census. Christianity showed signs of decline while the ranks of fundamentalist Christians, Hindus and Muslims increased.

Skilled migrants are fine in New Zealand

The recently released government report shows that 90 percent of skilled migrants were satisfied or very satisfied with their life in the country a year after their arrival. Some 89 percent would recommend New Zealand to family and friends looking to relocate overseas. The survey conducted in 2005 covered 1,759 skilled migrants from over 60 nationalities who were asked about their experience after one year of residency in the country. The survey also indicates that the longer skilled migrants are living in New Zealand, the longer they plan to stay.

Pacific Islander work scheme hurried

Beginning the end of this month, approved employers are allowed to recruit workers from Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Tuvalu and Kiribati under the Recognized Seasonal Employer Scheme. Some 4,500 Tongans have already registered to work on a temporary basis. However, the Tongan Advisory Council expressed concerns that the scheme to bring Pacific Islanders for short-term horticultural and viticultural work has been rushed and the dialogue with the communities and overseas governments concerned in setting up the scheme has been inappropriate. Some details about the scheme need to be worked out.

Shortage of nurses is critical

Owing to an aging workforce and graduates looking for overseas job opportunities, the shortage of nurses in New Zealand is reaching crisis levels, a nursing workforce researcher says. In 2003, more than 900 nurses headed for Australia. Annette Huntington of Massey’s School of Health Sciences said that New Zealand will continuously lose its qualified nurses to countries with stronger economies and better pay and conditions.

Fewer immigrants need benefits

A strong economy and changes in the immigration policy have significantly reduced the number of immigrants receiving benefits from the government, said Immigration Minister David Cunliffe. Cunliffe named the Skilled Migration Category (SMC) introduced in 2003 as an example of policy changes that contributed to the downward trend in migrants in need of support. A report released by the Department of Labor shows that only 2.3 percent of immigrants received benefits in 2006, down from 6.7 percent in 2001. 

Foreign workers benefited company

Beca, the country’s biggest New Zealand-owned engineering consulting firm, has largely benefited from hiring foreign workers. Its technical director for transportation, Matthew Ensor, estimates that the company, grew from 1,091 staff in 2002 to 1,730 in 2006. During the same period, the company has earned NZ$20-30 million by employing workers from overseas. Ensor said a fifth to a third of his division’s Auckland-based projects overseas, thus having people from these countries in the team is beneficial.

Grants to migrant support groups

Groups working to assist new migrants and refugees to settle in New Zealand have earned extra financial support. ASB Community Trust granted NZ$105,000 to the Auckland Regional Migrant Services Charitable Trust (ARMS) to start ReactNow, program to provide employment assistance to people from refugee backgrounds. The Trust also awarded NZ$40,000 to another Auckland group, Migrant Support Services, which assists refugee and migrant communities to tap the expertise and skills which already exist in their communities.

New Zealand, an easy target for smugglers

According to a research conducted by criminologist and former Nelson policeman Andrew MacDonald, New Zealand is seen as an easy target by Asian crime syndicates engaged in smuggling irregular migrant workers. In particular, the orchards and vineyards of South Island and Hawkes Bay have become prime targets for syndicates smuggling in Chinese or Vietnamese workers.

Sources: Jarrod Booker, “Orchards a ‘soft touch’ for people smugglers," The New Zealand Herald, 17 April 2007; Martin Johnston, “Muslim, Hindu totals surge," The New Zealand Herald, 20 April 2007; Martin Johnston, “Growing focus on Asia shows in Census," The New Zealand Herald, 20 April 2007; IANS, “More Hindu temples to come up in New Zealand," New Kerala, 20 April 2007; “Number of Japanese living in NZ surges 19 percent in 5 years," Japan Today, 20 April 2007; Owen Hembry, “Low migration ‘good news’," The New Zealand Herald, 21 April 2007; “Pinoys 4^th largest Asian group in New Zealand," GMANews.TV, 21 April 2007; Simon Collins, “Migrants firm’s secret weapon," The New Zealand Herald, 24 April 2007; Angela Gregory, “Migrant Pacific Islander work scheme ‘rushed in’," The New Zealand Herald, 24 April 2007; NZPA, “Nursing levels near critical, researcher says," The New Zealand Herald, 24 April 2007; “Skilled migrants enjoy life in New Zealand," Workpermit.com, 24 April 2007; “Fewer migrants on benefits shows policy working," Press Release: New Zealand Government, 24 April 2007; “Migrant support groups gain funding," Scoop, 26 April 2007; “Immigrants thriving in New Zealand," Workpermit.com, 27 April 2007