Executive Summary

This report presents findings from the Longitudinal Immigration Survey: New Zealand, which interviewed migrants six months after gaining permanent residence in New Zealand. The survey included over 7,100 migrants approved for residence between November 2004 and October 2005.

Migrants choose New Zealand for lifestyle, environment, and their children's future

The three most common reasons migrants chose New Zealand were the relaxed pace of life or lifestyle (44 percent), the climate or clean, green environment (40 percent) and to provide a better future for their children (39 percent). Eighty-eight percent of migrants intended to stay in New Zealand for over five years.

Migrants connect with New Zealand before migrating

Most migrants had been to New Zealand before gaining residence (86 percent) and over half of all migrants had worked in New Zealand before. Two-thirds of migrants had contacts in New Zealand before migrating. These contacts were migrants' main source of information about New Zealand and many migrants stayed with family on arrival.

Migrants bring valuable skills and experience to New Zealand

Migrants are generally well educated. Sixty-seven percent of all migrants held a post-school qualification and nearly half of all migrants (47 percent) held an advanced vocational qualification or university degree. Over half of all migrants had more than 10 years work experience.

Migrants' partners bring valuable skills and experience to New Zealand

Most migrants (88 percent) were living with family members, and most of these migrants were living as a couple, with or without dependant children. Forty-two percent of Skilled secondary migrants held an advanced vocational qualification or a university degree.^[1]

Migrants use their skills in New Zealand

Skilled principal migrants had the highest employment and labour force participation rates and the lowest seeking work rates of all migrant groups. They were more likely to be working at the same or higher skill level as they did in their previous country (83 percent) compared with other migrant groups (61 percent) and were more likely to work in an area of absolute skills shortage.

Migrants participate in the labour force

Seventy percent of all migrants were employed and 4 percent were looking for work. Four out of five were satisfied or very satisfied with their job. One in four was out of the labour force and a large proportion of these were caring for dependants or studying. The median annual income of migrants was $36,000.^[2] Skilled principal migrants, with a median annual income of $48,100, earned significantly more than other migrants. Migrants living outside the larger cities reported some of the highest median annual earnings.

Migrants' New Zealand experience influences settlement

Migrants who had worked in New Zealand before residence had substantially higher employment rates than those who had not. Migrants who were approved for residence offshore took longer to find work than those approved onshore and were less likely to be employed six months after gaining residence. Migrants who had spent two or more years in the country before gaining residence were more settled than those who had never visited.

Migrants' English language skills matter, economically and socially

English language ability was high among migrants. Most spoke English as a main language (59 percent), while 27 percent of those who spoke English as a second language had good or very good English and 13 percent had moderate or poor English.

Migrants who spoke English as a main language had higher employment rates than migrants who did not. Migrants with good English language skills were more likely to make new friends than those with moderate or poor English language skills and more likely to make friends with people of a different ethnicity to themselves.

Connecting with New Zealand communities is important for settlement

Almost all migrants (96 percent) had established new friendships since their arrival in New Zealand. Fifty percent of migrants reported that all or most of their friends were of the same ethnic origin as themselves. Fifty percent of migrants had joined a club or group, most commonly religious groups (22 percent), and sports clubs (20 percent).

Maintaining family and cultural connections is important for settlement

Sixty-four percent of migrants said it was important or very important to carry on the values or traditions of their ethnic group. This was particularly important to Pacific and South Asian migrants. Seventeen percent of migrants reported sending money overseas to family, friends, churches, or other community groups since gaining residence.

Some migrants face social difficulties

Around one in four migrants reported at least one incident where they felt discriminated against. These incidents were most likely to occur in a public place or at work, and migrants from North Asia and South East Asia reported a higher incidence of feeling discriminated against. North Asian migrants were less likely than other migrants to report feeling very safe in New Zealand.

Migrants enjoy living in New Zealand

Ninety-three percent of migrants reported that they were satisfied or very satisfied with life in New Zealand, while 1 percent of migrants were dissatisfied. Eighty-seven percent of migrants felt settled or very settled in New Zealand. Migrants are most happy with New Zealand's climate and natural beauty, which are two of the main reasons for choosing New Zealand.

Importance of understanding what contributes to successful settlement

Migrants who have made this country home are important to New Zealand's heritage, culture, and economy. Migrants' initial experiences in New Zealand and during their first few years have a significant impact on their longer-term settlement outcomes.

These first years, during which migrants orient themselves to their new country, find housing, employment, and new friends and settle into neighbourhoods and schools, are often the most challenging. Understanding the factors that contribute to successful settlement will contribute to the development of effective immigration policy and settlement services for migrants.

The results from this survey lend strong support to immigration selection policies that value migrants with the language, skills, and qualifications that complement the needs of the New Zealand labour force.

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