The Settlement Experience Feedback Survey began in November 2004, and aims to collect the initial settlement experiences and outcomes of Skilled/Business Stream migrants, with a focus on the migrants after 12 months of residence in New Zealand.

This report provides a detailed picture of the first year of settlement for the Skilled/Business Stream migrants who took up residence in New Zealand between September and December 2007. Because the majority of migrants (93 percent) were approved for permanent residence through the Skilled Migrants Category, this report refers to all participants as ‘skilled migrants’.

In total, 715 skilled migrants participated in the 2008 survey. Of these, 64 percent were principal applicants, 50 percent were female and 67 percent were aged between 20 and 39 years. The 2008 survey collected a range of information relating to migrants’ initial settlement experiences in three major areas, which are outlined below.

Expectation of and satisfaction with life in New Zealand

Key findings:

• About nine in ten skilled migrants (89 percent) reported they were satisfied or very satisfied with life in New Zealand.
• 92 percent of skilled migrants reported they would recommend New Zealand to others as a place to come and live.
• The relaxed pace of life, and the clean and green environment were most likely to meet skilled migrants’ expectations.

Employment in New Zealand

Key findings:

• 92 percent of principal applicants were employed at the time of the survey.
• Nearly nine in ten employed principal applicants (88 percent) reported their qualifications and skills matched their current job.
• 76 percent of employed skilled migrants reported they were satisfied or very satisfied with their main occupation.

Living in New Zealand

Key findings:

• 45 percent of skilled migrants lived in the Auckland region.
• 73 percent of skilled migrants reported they were satisfied or very satisfied with the overall quality of their housing.
• More than one in four skilled migrants (29 percent) reported they had done further education in New Zealand since arriving here.

Life in New Zealand: Settlement Experiences of Skilled Migrants – Results from the 2008 Survey is available from the New Zealand Department of Labour’s website at http://dol.govt.nz/publications/research/life-in-nz/

For further information please contact research@dol.govt.nz, or visit www.immigration.govt.nz/research