International Migration Outlook - New Zealand 2010/11
OECD Continuous Reporting System on Migration
Executive summary
In total, net inflows in 2010/11 equalled 3,900, down from 16,500 in the previous year. The drop in net migration was driven by more New Zealanders leaving and fewer returning. New Zealand citizens who had previously held off migrating during uncertain economic times and those leaving Christchurch after the 22 February 2011 earthquake contributed to the increase in departures in 2010/11. The former trend, which has had the greatest impact on net migration, is the result of an increase in New Zealanders leaving for Australia. The net loss of New Zealanders to Australia increased from 16,700 in 2009/10 to 30,500 in 2010/11.
Permanent residence approvals were lower than in the previous year, with 40,700 persons approved. A decrease in the number of skilled migrants contributed to the overall decrease in residence approvals in 2010/11. Since 2006/07, the planning level has remained unchanged at 45,000–50,000 approvals per year.
Immigration from the two largest source countries of permanent residents (the United Kingdom and China) declined by 16 percent and 11 percent, to 6,400 and 5,300 respectively. India, South Africa, and the Philippines are the following three major source countries. While immigration of South Africans and Filipinos has also decreased in number, immigration from India increased both in absolute and relative terms.
After an annual average growth of 9 percent in the decade to 2010/11, the growth in the immigration of temporary workers slowed from 2008/09 but increased 5 percent over the latest period, to 137,000 in 2010/11. Despite the overall increase, the number of people admitted under the Essential Skills Policy has continued to decrease, down 3 percent to 22,300. The Essential Skills Policy facilitates the entry of temporary workers to fill shortages where suitable New Zealand citizens or residents are not available for the work offered.
Admissions for seasonal work, which are subject to a labour market test, increased by 2 percent in 2010/11. Similarly, non–labour market tested categories also increased—by 8 percent for the Working Holiday Schemes and by 16 percent for the Study to Work Policy. This later programme allows applicants who completed a course or qualification in New Zealand that would qualify for points under the Skilled Migrant Category to obtain a work visa for 12 or 24 months. The growth in the Study to Work Policy reflects the increase in Indian international students, a group of students who typically have a high rate of transition to work post-study.
A new Immigration Act came into force in November 2010. It uses the single term ‘visa’ for both the authorisation to travel to and the authorisation to stay in New Zealand. The major policy developments over 2010/11 relate to the implementation of the Immigration Act, including the introduction of interim visas; establishment of the Immigration and Protection Tribunal; and strengthening of the sponsorship system.
In 2011, a visitor’s visa was introduced for visiting academics, as was a special policy for victims of people trafficking, and two new Working Holiday Schemes were established with Turkey and Slovakia. The Migrant Investment policies were reviewed (1 year after their implementation in 2009), resulting in a decrease to the residence requirement for Investor Plus migrants, a reduction to the extension allowable to Investor Category migrants to transfer funds, and additions to the list of acceptable investments.
The Student Policy was the subject of a large-scale review, culminating in the announcement of a series of changes in mid-2011. The Student Policy review was conducted in parallel with a review of the pathways to work and residence available to international students. Changes resulting from both reviews aim to improve the labour market outcomes and integration of former international students. These changes, to be implemented in April 2012, include targeting student work rights, both during their studies and post-study, to those studying higher level qualifications. The move to incentivise higher level qualifications will also be reflected in the award of points for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category.
For further information:
www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/general/generalinformation/immigrationact