Background Characteristics

Who was interviewed? Where did they come from? Where do they live now?

2.1 Introduction

This section describes some of the demographic and immigration-related characteristics for the weighted population of migrants in the LisNZ approved for residence between November 2004 and October 2005. Some characteristics, including the number of migrants in each immigration approval category^[13] as well as their age and English language skills, are directly related to immigration policy settings, while other demographics such as sex or religion are not related to policy. Many of the key characteristics described in this chapter are used as key analysis variables in other sections of this report.

2.2 Demographic characteristics

2.2.1 Immigration approval category and applicant type

The largest group of migrants approved for residence was approved through skilled migration categories (58 percent of all migrants).^[14] For the purpose of this analysis, migrants approved through the Skilled categories have been separated into two subgroups: Skilled principal (35 percent) and Skilled secondary (23 percent). Those approved through the Family Partner Category (19 percent) were the next largest group, followed by the Family Parent Category (6 percent). Seventeen percent of migrants were approved through other categories: Business (6 percent), Pacific (5 percent), and Other (6 percent). (See Figure 2.1.)^[15]

Figure 2.1: Immigration approval category of migrants

Data table for Figure 2.1

2.2.2 Region of origin^[16] and location of residence approval

Migrants from the UK/Irish Republic made up the largest proportion of migrants (32 percent), followed by those from North Asia (18 percent) and the Pacific (12 percent) (see Figure 2.2). Almost three-quarters (72 percent) of all migrants were in New Zealand on temporary permits when they were approved for permanent residence. The remainder were approved for residence offshore (28 percent). Pacific migrants were most likely to be approved offshore (47 percent) compared with other migrants. The source countries of migrants in the survey are representative of trends in New Zealand's source countries in recent years.

Since the 1980s, the general trend for migration to New Zealand has been an increase in the number of migrants coming from Europe and Asia and a decrease in the number coming from the Oceania region. Since the introduction of stricter language requirements in 2002 and the Skilled Migrant Category in 2003, a greater number of migrants have come from the UK/Irish Republic, the Rest of Europe, and South Africa and a smaller proportion from Asia. However, migration from Asia is expected to remain steady as many international students gain permanent residence in New Zealand. Over the past decade, the proportion of migrants granted residence while in New Zealand (onshore) has increased to about 75 percent of all approvals.^[17] The increase reflects the growing number of migrants working or studying in New Zealand before applying for residence, and the immigration policies that support these transitions.

Figure 2.2: Region of origin of migrants

Data table for Figure 2.2

A large proportion of skilled migrants were from the UK/Irish Republic (42 percent), followed by North Asia (13 percent) and South Africa (12 percent). Business migrants were predominantly from North Asia (63 percent). Family migration was more diverse in respect of source countries. The largest regions of origin of Family Partner migrants were the UK/Irish Republic (28 percent) and North Asia (21 percent). The main regions of Family Parent migrants were North Asia (29 percent), the Pacific (20 percent), and South Asia (16 percent). A large proportion of Other category migrants were from the Pacific (36 percent).

2.2.3 Age and sex

Most migrants were aged under 45, with 36 percent aged 25-34 and 30 percent aged 35-44 (see Figure 2.3). The mean age was 36.1 (median 34) for all migrants with little difference between males (mean 36.6, median 35) and females (mean 35.6, median 34).

It should be noted that there are age restrictions on applicants through residence categories such as the Skilled Migrant Category, Pacific Access Category, and Samoan Quota.

Figure 2.3: Age and sex of migrants

Data table for Figure 2.3

Table 2.1 shows the distribution of migrant age groups by immigration approval category.

Overall, female migrants slightly outnumbered male migrants (52 percent compared with 48 percent), but this result varied by immigration approval category. While the proportion of females was higher for Skilled secondary (70 percent), Family Partner (64 percent), and Family Parent (57 percent) migrants, Skilled principal migrants were more likely to be male (67 percent). (See Figure 2.4.)

Figure 2.4: Migrants by immigration approval category and sex

Data table for Figure 2.4

2.2.4 Ethnicity and religion

Figure 2.5 shows the ethnic groups reported by migrants.^[18] The four main ethnic groups of migrants were European (42 percent), Chinese (15 percent), South African (9 percent), and Indian (8 percent).

The ethnic composition of certain approval categories varied, reflecting the dominant source countries of different categories. Skilled migrants were more likely to be of European and South African origin than other categories, while Business migrants were more likely to be Chinese. Family Parent migrants were more likely to be Indian.

Figure 2.5: Ethnicity of migrants

Data table for Figure 2.5

Note: Respondents could specify more than one ethnicity, so the percentages may add to more than 100.

About half (52 percent) of all migrants were Christian, 29 percent reported having no religion, while the remaining 19 percent reported various other religions. (See Figure 2.6.)

Figure 2.6: Religion of migrants

Note: Respondents could specify more than one religion, so the percentages may add to more than 100.

Data table for Figure 2.6

2.2.5 Previous time in New Zealand

Over half (53 percent) of all migrants had spent more than 12 months in New Zealand before gaining permanent residence, and almost a third (32 percent) of all migrants had spent more than two years here. (See Figure 2.8.)

Business migrants had spent the most time in New Zealand, with 78 percent having spent over two years. This reflects the route to residence for Business migrants, many of whom followed a pathway from the Long Term Business Visa (a temporary work permit) to residence through the Entrepreneur Category.

Figure 2.8: Length of time migrants spent in New Zealand before gaining residence

Data table for Figure 2.8

2.2.6 English language skills

Most migrants who gain residence through skilled and business policies must have a minimum standard of English language.^[19] This requirement is reflected in the large proportion of migrants with strong English language skills (86 percent), with 59 percent of all migrants reporting English to be their main language or one of the languages they spoke best, and 27 percent reporting good to very good English language proficiency. Only 13 percent of all migrants reported their English language skills as moderate or poor.

As would be expected, Skilled migrants were most likely to report English as a language they spoke best (70 percent of Skilled principal and 71 percent of Skilled secondary migrants). This was followed by Family Partner (53 percent), Family Parent (38 percent), and Business (30 percent) migrants. Pacific category migrants were the least likely to report English as a language they spoke best (24 percent), although about half of this group (49 percent) reported their English language skills as good or very good. (See Figure 2.9.)

Only about 1 percent of Skilled principal migrants and 5 percent of Skilled secondary migrants rated their English language skills as moderate or poor, whereas almost half of the Family Parent migrants (49 percent) and 42 percent of Business migrants rated their English language skills as moderate or poor.

Figure 2.9: English language skills of migrants by immigration approval category

Data table for Figure 2.9

As would be expected, regional differences in English language skills were evident, with migrants from English-speaking countries reporting the highest proficiency. About a quarter of the European migrants (excluding UK/Irish Republic migrants) reported English as a language they spoke best and nearly 70 percent of this group reported having good or very good English language skills. Fifty-three percent of South Asian migrants reported English to be a language they spoke best. About half of the North Asian migrants and 44 percent of those from South East Asia reported speaking good to very good English. However, migrants from North Asia also reported the lowest levels of English language skills, followed by those from the Pacific, South East Asia, and South Asia. (See Figure 2.10.)

Figure 2.10: English language skills of migrants by region of origin

Data table for Figure 2.10

2.2.7 Languages spoken

Migrants were also asked about other languages they could speak.^[20] More than one-third (35 percent) of all migrants reported speaking only one language, while the remaining 65 percent said they spoke more than one language (see Figure 2.11). The 2006 Census of Population and Dwellings showed that around 81 percent of people in New Zealand speak only one language.^[21]

In terms of regional results, migrants from the UK/Irish Republic and North America were most likely to report speaking only one language, while more people from the Pacific, South Africa, North Asia, and South East Asia reported fluency in two languages. About half of the migrants from the Rest of Europe and South Asia reported speaking three or more languages.

Figure 2.11: Number of languages spoken by migrants by region of origin

Data table for Figure 2.11

After English, the most common languages spoken best by new migrants were Chinese dialects (Sinitic nfd), followed by Northern Chinese (including Mandarin), and Hindi. (See Table 2.2.)

2.2.8 Marital status

Three out of four migrants had a spouse or partner. One in 10 had a New Zealand-born spouse or partner. As expected, Family Partner migrants were most likely to have a New Zealand-born spouse or partner (45 percent) compared with other migrants. Skilled secondary migrants were the most likely to have a spouse or partner born outside of New Zealand (85 percent). Migrants classified in the Other category were the most likely to report not having a spouse or partner (51 percent),^[22] but this is likely to be because most migrants in this category were relatively young. (See Table 2.3.)

2.2.9 Living arrangements in New Zealand

Most migrants (88 percent) were living with other family members in New Zealand. Thirty-eight percent were living with a partner and dependant children, 23 percent lived with a partner only, while 17 percent lived in other family combinations. (See Figure 2.12.)^[23]

Migrants' living arrangements varied according to their immigration approval category. Skilled principal migrants were the most likely to live alone or with non-relatives. Migrants from the Family Partner category were most likely to live as a couple without children, whereas Skilled secondary migrants tended to live with their spouse or partner and dependant child/children. Pacific category migrants were most likely to live with their spouse or partner, dependant child/children, and members of their extended family; Other category migrants tended to live in other family combinations.

Figure 2.12: Living arrangements of migrants

Data table for Figure 2.12

2.2.10 Region of settlement in New Zealand

About half of all migrants were living in the Auckland region, followed by 13 percent in the Canterbury region, 11 percent in Wellington, and 6 percent in the Waikato (see Figure 2.13). The proportion of migrants living in the Auckland region was comparable with the proportion of the total overseas-born population living there. The 2006 Census of Population and Dwellings showed that 52 percent of overseas-born people in New Zealand lived in the Auckland region.^[24]

While most Business (73 percent), Family Parent (74 percent), and Pacific category (76 percent) migrants settled in Auckland, over a quarter of migrants from the Skilled and Family Partner categories settled in the Wellington and Canterbury regions.

Figure 2.13: Region in which migrants lived in New Zealand

Note: Excludes records where the New Zealand region was not recorded.

Data table for Figure 2.13

Overall, migrants were most likely to settle in Auckland regardless of country of origin. A notable proportion of migrants from the UK/Irish Republic (18 percent) and the Rest of Europe (18 percent) also tended to settle in Canterbury. A significant proportion of North Americans (21 percent) settled in Wellington.

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