January 08, 2016

Migrants should be enticed to live in New Zealand’s regions

New Zealand continues to attract record numbers of people from overseas as both permanent settlers and visitors. Nearly a third of the 3.09 million tourists who arrived in the year leading up to November 2015 were visiting friends or relatives.

China is the largest source of permanent migrants, with 70% settling in Auckland—where a quarter of New Zealand’s population is concentrated. The city is also the preferred residence of many other immigrant communities (e.g. 57% of Indian immigrants have also settled in Auckland). The larger their communities in Auckland grow, the easier it becomes for new arrivals from those countries to find a job or start a business—a spiralling demographic trend.

Tourism, an important economic by-product of immigration, sees visitors who come to see friends or family exploring more of the country. But while tourism booms nationwide, it is permanent residents that many regions need.

Whilst the New Zealand government awards more points for employment outside Auckland, the number of immigrants claiming those extra points is falling. The Christchurch rebuild—after the devastating earthquake of 2011—saw more immigrants briefly taking work in the regions, however the proportion is again in decline.

In his article about cross-border migration and travel for IZA World of Labor, Jacques Poot writes that “[g]reater mobility…demands reconsideration of policies and laws on immigrant settlement and integration.” He notes that “The presence of large numbers of temporary migrants calls for a fresh look at the meaning of citizenship and cultural identity and at policies to encourage immigrant integration. Increasingly, migrants may be recruited on a ‘trial’ basis, with temporary work or study permits providing a subsequent path to permanent residence.”

It is perhaps a challenge for each of New Zealand’s regions to ensure they provide a warm welcome and social supports for immigrants without an already established ethnic community if they wish to gain from the benefits of immigration.

Related articles:

Cross-border migration and travel: A virtuous relationship, by Jacques Poot

Skill-based immigration, economic integration, and economic performance, by Abdurrahman B. Aydemir

Should countries auction immigrant visas?, by Madeline Zavodny

Read more IZA World of Labor articles on Migration.