Migrant teens bored but glad they live here

By ELIZABETH BINNING

Young migrants think New Zealand's weather is too variable, the public transport is inefficient and the TV programmes and nightlife are boring - but most are glad to be here.

A six-month study by Massey University asked 157 young people from non-English-speaking countries how they had adjusted to New Zealand life. The migrants, split into two age groups (10-14 and 17-21), had all been in the country for a year and were asked about education, employment, friends, leisure and language.

All the migrants used their native language at times and sometimes found it difficult to communicate.

The younger group found it it easier to adapt to English. But while the 17- to 21-year-olds felt less confident, at least half said they could read, write and listen as well in English as in their native language.



They were most likely to have problems with English in the classroom, talking on the telephone or watching TV and had most difficulty in understanding New Zealand slang and speech, making sense of jokes, reading magazines or newspapers, speaking English and reading books.

Most young migrants said making friends here was important, but hard to do. The younger migrants were more likely to make New Zealand friends and visit them at their homes than the 17- to 21-year-olds. The older migrants were more likely to socialise with New Zealand friends on the weekends - possibly because they were more independent.

When asked what they liked and disliked about New Zealand, the older group said they found life boring - the nightclubs and television programmes were dull, shops closed too early and there were no night markets.

They were also concerned about finding a suitable job and coping with negative attitudes towards foreigners.

Many also found it difficult to find food they were used to and were disappointed by the lack of good shopping.

The migrants liked the stress-free, relaxed nature of New Zealand, which they perceived as clean, green and scenic.

In general, 84 per cent of them felt welcome in New Zealand and more than 70 per cent agreed that it was easy to fit in here.

While 85 per cent said they were glad they came to New Zealand - a safe place with good educational opportunities - fewer than half saw themselves living and working here in the future.

Little research has previously been carried out on how young migrants feel about life in New Zealand. The researchers hope the information will be useful in planning programmes to help migrants.

The study, which also questioned people who help migrant families, found young migrants made a considerable effort to fit into New Zealand life.

It concluded it was up to New Zealanders to make the transition easier by helping migrants cope with everyday demands and showing they were accepted and welcome.

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Positive impressions

"The people are friendly and I'm happy here, the rain makes me very happy too."

- 11-year-old from Saudi Arabia

"Most people in New Zealand are friendly, helpful. It is safe and quiet, not dusty. Clean country and lots of beautiful trees and new friends from other countries and everyone has the rights to their self. No forcing. The law is good."

- 19-year-old from Thailand

"I think I've done pretty well since I came here. I make lots of friends and they like me and it is very exciting that I can speak more than two languages."

- 14-year old from South Korea

"It would be really good if people don't estimate you by your nationality. Many people may think that if you are an Asian it means you can't speak English properly. That's wrong. I can speak good English too."

- 20-year-old from India

"I read books to try to improve my English and I push myself to talk in English with friends and try to make Kiwi friends."

- 14 year old from Taiwan)

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Herald feature: Immigration