International Migration Outlook - New Zealand 2007/08
7. Policies and Measures Aimed at the Integration of Children of Migrants into the Labour Market or Society
7.1. Introduction
In April 2006, the New Zealand Government established three priorities under the themes of Economic Transformation, Families - young and old and National Identity.[41] Government departments are charged with taking these themes into account in their planning and business alignment processes. Immigration is an essential element in achieving the government's three priorities.
Economic Transformation: Immigration is a key source of labour and skills. Immigration can attract entrepreneurs, investors and business travellers who contribute to the development of New Zealand businesses, and can increase corporate capacity through bringing migrants who have new ways of doing things.
National Identity: Immigration contributes to developing New Zealand's culturally rich and diverse communities. New Zealand's population has been shaped by immigration. Immigration also contributes to fostering good relationships with other nations and shapes how New Zealand is seen by the world.
Families - Young and Old: Immigration strengthens families through enabling family reunification. Building strong families can also play a role in promoting positive outcomes for second generation migrants. Family reunification migrants also make a positive contribution themselves, through supporting family members to work (e.g. through childcare) and/or working themselves (approximately half are employed). Immigration can also protect families and communities by preventing those who would threaten our health or safety from entering New Zealand.
Healthy, Confident Kids is a sub-theme of Families - Young and Old and the objective of this is that all children participate in a range of life contexts and are equipped to contribute to the future well-being of New Zealand socially, culturally, economically and environmentally. This work considers families with distinct needs, including refugee and migrant families.
7.1.1. United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCROC)
New Zealand's being party to the UNCROC is a core international human rights instrument. Its articles require that adults respect and provide for the best interests and welfare of the children in their care, and that society as a whole recognise that children should be active participants in decision-making, as opposed to simply being recipients of services or beneficiaries of protective measures.
New Zealand will be compliant in regard to detention of minors for immigration purposes upon passing the Immigration Bill. For purposes of immigration detention, the Bill will raise the age of a minor from 17 years or under, to 18 years or under. The Bill's definition of "minor" will be consistent with the definition in UNCROC and ensure that any special immigration detention provisions for minors apply.
The Bill will also clarify that non-citizen children may access compulsory education consistent with the Education Act 1989. This change will be managed by the Department of Labour and the Ministry of Education.
7.1.2. Immigration New Zealand
Children approved for residence in New Zealand are immediately given full access to government subsidies with respect to early childhood, primary, secondary and tertiary education fees. Students are ineligible for student allowances until they have held residence in New Zealand for two years. Those approved for residence are given full access to the labour market and to apprenticeships in New Zealand. In the financial year 2007/08 a total of 11,517 children were approved for residence in New Zealand (0-4: 2,655, 5-18: 8,862).
Under temporary work policy, dependent children of work permit holders are regarded as domestic students for the purpose of all course fees at primary and secondary schools. This applies for the period of the parent's work permit.[42] In 2007/08, there were 12,193 dependent children granted a student permit on this basis.
If a child of a temporary worker wanted to work or undertake an apprenticeship in New Zealand they would be required to apply for a work permit on their own merit.
No policies give any specific groups of the children of immigrants special access to the New Zealand labour market. The exception is that all Australian citizens, citizens from eligible Pacific states, and permanent residents are given full access to the New Zealand education system and labour market.
7.1.3. Career services
Career Services (a Crown Entity of New Zealand) provides career planning services tailored for the needs of migrants and refugees. While 'immigrant children' are not a specific target group of this programme, they can utilise its services and therefore be supported to make good career choices and successfully enter the labour market.
7.1.4. "English for Speakers of other Languages" (ESOL) in schools
The Ministry of Education provides funding for schools to provide English language support for students who are recent migrants, refugees, or first generation children of migrants or refugees. Outcomes for children will be improved through raising their level of achievement in speaking English. Increased English language capacity can contribute to positive settlement and labour market outcome.
The package of funding and support includes:
- support materials for teachers and students;
- resources for school principals and boards of trustees;
- professional development programmes to improve the quality of teaching;
- information technology, workplace and tertiary learning opportunities for secondary level students;
- intensive ESOL provision for children with very high language learning needs;
- programmes and materials designed to involve families and communities in their children's learning;
- ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and research.
7.1.5. Research
The Department of Labour is undertaking a programme of research on migrant and refugee youth settlement and social inclusion. This programme aims to build a picture of migrant and refugee youth in New Zealand and to identify factors which facilitate or act as barriers to settlement and social inclusion.
Two projects in this programme of research have been released this year. The first is an Annotated bibliography of New Zealand literature on migrant and refugee youth.[43] The bibliography is structured around five main sections: Family and Social Networks; Education and Employment; Health and Social Services; Identity and Participation; and Research Methods. The report also summarises the themes emerging from the research and identifies main gaps.
The second completed report is entitled 'The Experiences of Migrant Youth: A Generational Analysis'.[44] The research is part of a larger international project, the International Comparative Study of Ethno-cultural Youth, a project involving 20 researchers in 13 countries with almost 8,000 adolescents and young adults. This research is published in the book Immigrant youth in cultural transition: Acculturation, identity and adaptation across national contexts.[45] This present report is based on a subset of the New Zealand data and provides a generational analysis of the experiences of migrant youth[46], and, where appropriate, comparisons between migrant and national youth.
Other research underway includes a statistical profile of migrant and refugee youth and interviews with service providers and field experts.
Footnotes
[41] Source and for more information please see website of Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet www.dpmc.govt.nz
[42] Under this policy a child is defined as dependent in the following circumstances:
- they are aged 17 to 19, with no child(ren) of their own, and
- they are single with no child(ren) of their own, and
- they are totally or substantially reliant on that work visa or permit holder for financial support; or
- they are aged 16 or younger, and
- they are single, and
- they are totally or substantially reliant on that work visa or permit holder for financial support.
[43] http://www.immigration.govt.nz/
[45] Berry, JW., Phinney, J., Sam, DL., & Vedder P. (2006) (Eds). Immigrant youth in cultural transition: Acculturation, identity and adaptation across national contexts.
[46] Migrant youth includes the first generation (immigrant youth who were born overseas and arrived in New Zealand after the age of 12), the 1.5 generation (immigrant youth who were born overseas and arrived in New Zealand by the age of 12) and the second generation (New Zealand-born youth with both parents born overseas).