Introduction

This report details the findings from the 2007 Settlement Experience Feedback Survey (SEFS) of migrants who took up residence in New Zealand from January 2006 to June 2006.

The Settlement Experiences Feedback Survey (SEFS) was designed to monitor and provide a detailed picture of early settlement outcomes (i.e. the first year of settlement) for Skilled/Business Stream migrants who have taken up residence in New Zealand.
The SEFS collects information regarding specific aspects of migrants' settlement outcomes in New Zealand, including employment and income, satisfaction with housing and children's schooling, and access to core services, as well as likes, dislikes and satisfaction with living in New Zealand.

Report Structure

This report is structured as follows:

• Section 1 provides an introduction and background to the survey and immigration policies.
• Section 2 outlines the survey methodology and the statistical analysis undertaken.
• Section 3 presents the descriptive results of the SEFS and, where relevant, highlights differences between principal and secondary applicants, and between migrants’ region of origin, as well as comparisons with the findings from the 2005 and 2006 surveys.
• Section 4 summarises the main results and provides a brief discussion and conclusions.

Immigration Policy – Skilled/Business Stream

The Skilled/Business Stream policies include the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC), the predecessors to the SMC – the General Skills Category (GSC) and Interim General Skills Category (IGSC) [2], the Work to Residence categories and the Business categories.

Skilled Migrant Category

A person who is interested in applying for residence under the SMC must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). Points are awarded for employability and capacity-building factors, including skilled employment, work experience, qualifications and age. An EOI is entered into a pool if the application meets prerequisites for health, character and English language skills and has a point score of 100 or more.

EOIs are ranked on the basis of their point scores, and the Department of Labour then determines the number of EOIs to be selected from the pool, and a selection point is set. EOIs that meet or exceed the selection point may be invited to apply for residence through the SMC.

Applicants may be granted residence if they can demonstrate the ability to settle and contribute to New Zealand. This includes evidence of skilled employment in New Zealand (or an offer of skilled employment) or New Zealand recognised qualifications that are either to a specified level, in an area of identified growth, or relevant to an occupation that is in absolute shortage. As noted above, applicants are also required to meet relevant health, character and English language skills requirements.

Business categories

The Business categories include the Investor Category, Entrepreneur Category and Employees of Relocating Business Category [3]. The Long Term Business Visa (LTBV) allows an applicant to establish a business in New Zealand before applying for residence through the Entrepreneur Category. The Investor Category aims to provide targeted use of investor funds and attract skilled business people to New Zealand. The Investor Category operates in a similar manner to the SMC, where applicants must first submit an EOI, after which the applicant may be invited to apply for residence.

Work to Residence

Work to Residence policies grant residence subject to certain conditions being met, including a sustained period of work in a skilled occupation in New Zealand. The Work to Residence policies include the Talent Visa (Accredited Employers), the Talent Visa (Arts, Culture and Sports) and the Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL). The Work to Residence policies were introduced on 29 April 2002. After holding one of these work permits for two years, applicants are eligible for permanent residence, provided they have met the conditions of their permit, will continue to work in New Zealand, and meet the English language, health and character requirements.

---