Expo focus on self-help for migrants

An annual event which helps immigrants settle and find jobs in New Zealand will this year be looking instead at self-employment and assistance with money management.

Migrant Expo organiser Mel Fernandez said the change in focus was a sign of the times and that usually the only way a new migrant could find employment in New Zealand was "to buy themselves a job".

"New Zealand has been successful in attracting many skilled migrants, but they are usually the last on the block to be employed by Kiwi bosses."

He said the economic climate and the high level of unemployment among locals would make it "near impossible" for new migrants to find jobs. In Auckland, 510,000 people are jobless, and the unemployment rate has climbed from 5.1 per cent last March to 7.3 per cent this March.

Asian unemployment is even higher, at 9.8 per cent - more than 22,000 unemployed.

Government labour market information shows the largest employment decline in Auckland has been in manufacturing, retail and construction, and also in the financial and insurance service industry.

"Having a job is key to successful settlement, and a surer way to find one in New Zealand is through self-employment," Mr Fernandez said.

The Migrant Expo, now in its eighth year, is New Zealand's only annual exhibition for migrants, refugees and international students seeking information to settle here.

Participants in the free event can attend seminars on entrepreneurship, money management, career planning and workers' rights.

But Agnes Granada of Migrant Action Trust said although her organisation had been invited, it would not be taking part in the expo because of the change in focus.

"Immigration New Zealand does not recognise self-employment as a way for migrants to move to New Zealand, so we really don't see what good the seminars will bring," she said.

"The real problem we need to resolve is with New Zealand employers and their unwillingness to employ immigrants who bring skills we need in New Zealand."