Key Findings from the Migrant Survey -
2009 Migrants Survey (Pilot)
Immigration Survey Monitoring Programme
Conclusion
The key findings from the 2009 Migrants Survey (Pilot) paint a generally positive picture of migrant settlement in New Zealand. The results reinforce several trends that have emerged from earlier studies as well as illuminating several important aspects of migrants' settlement experiences.
The results show migrants bring skills and experience that allow them to connect in the labour market. There was a high rate of employment among respondents, and a good match between respondents' jobs and their skills and qualifications across most categories. However, the skill match was less positive for Family Partner Category migrants. Overall, migrants had a high degree of satisfaction with jobs and life in New Zealand, and most saw New Zealand as a safe and welcoming country.
This report also demonstrates the links between study, work, and permanent residence in New Zealand, with many temporary workers and students planning to live in New Zealand long term. The findings signal respondents' high level of commitment to New Zealand, with a large proportion of respondents planning to make New Zealand their permanent home and many wanting to gain citizenship.
This report shows migrants find New Zealand's environment, safety from crime, and quality of education better than they had expected, and over half found New Zealand was more welcoming than they thought it would be. Some migrants find the cost of living high in New Zealand, although previous research has shown migrant incomes to improve over time. Other migrants find some aspects of life in New Zealand worse than they had expected. This may reflect the quality of information migrants obtain about New Zealand before arriving or highlight the difficulties of adjusting to life in a new country
