New deal to entice more migrants

By GRAHAM REID and BRONWYN SELL

A sharp fall in the numbers of Asian immigrants has driven the Government to introduce a better deal for business migrants.

Business leaders say the drop has damaged the economy and property market, especially in Auckland.

There are concerns that migrants are going back to Asia or to Australia because of a cold welcome here.

The Minister of Immigration, Lianne Dalziel, is worried that too many skilled immigrants are not getting the work they deserve, and cannot penetrate business networks.

In four years, approvals for migrants from Taiwan have plunged from 12,325 to 344, and Chinese migrants have fallen from 5444 to 2118.

Numbers arriving from Hong Kong last year were exactly 10 per cent of what they were in 1995-96, and approvals for residency from South Korea fell to 666, from a high of 4554 in 1994-95.

A spokesman for the minister said some migrants had left New Zealand for Asia or Australia because they were so isolated here.

Ms Dalziel has announced a $500,000 pilot scheme in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch to assist Asian business and professional migrants, part of a Government move to improve settlement.

She said she wanted to ensure the migrants connected with local business and professional networks.

"There are too many skilled people coming to this country and not getting the work they deserve.

"I personally know of highly skilled professional migrants who are still driving taxis. I know of business migrants who feel they cannot penetrate the business networks that exist in our main cities."

The details of the pilot have not been worked out, but she hopes the scheme, to be funded from a migrant levy, will start within three months.

Michael Barnett, chief executive of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, which is driving the Auckland pilot, said migrants from many countries were not fitting into the local business community and faced daunting paperwork and compliance requirements and language difficulties.

Research showed that recent migration had increased levels of business activity and entrepreneurship.

"Any fall-off in our immigration is a fall-off in economic activity. The problem is, we've failed to extend a welcoming mat."

A Taiwanese doctor turned Henderson feijoa orchardist, Dr Ming-teh Cheng, confirmed that there was little assistance offered to immigrant business people, and said the pilot sounded like a good idea.

He came to New Zealand five years ago under the false impression that he could work as a doctor, and ended up buying the orchard for a new challenge.

"I am a newcomer, a new immigrant, so I have to start at the beginning.

"Everything to me is new and I have to find a way to live comfortably in New Zealand."

The editor of the Chinese Independence Daily, Hsichen Hsieh, said immigrants were often given a false impression of the work they were allowed to do here.

The national president of the Real Estate Institute, Max Oliver, said the immigration slump had been felt throughout the economy, especially in Auckland's property market.

"There are places where I think it would be fair to say there are a few empty houses sitting around."

He said the median house price had been static for four years, after an immigration boost pushed up property values before that.

University of Auckland senior lecturer Dr Manying Ip said Asians noted a number of good points in conducting business here, including honest people, but they could not offset economic realities.

The immigrants - a Herald series

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