'Suck it and see' migration growing

The number of people coming to New Zealand on temporary permits and later taking residency is on the rise, according to latest migration statistics. The "suck it and see" approach is leading to more successful settlement, says the Immigration Service.

The Department of Labour's report Migration Trends 2004-2005 says that 88 per cent of the 48,815 people approved for residency in the last financial year had previously held a work, student or visitor permit. That's a leap on the 1997-98 year - just 37 per cent of those on a temporary work permit had gained residency as of June last year. For students, the comparable figure was 21 per cent.

Temporary permits are "a kind of suck it and see for both sides", says Lesley Haines, group manager of workforce policy for the Department of Labour. "It's an opportunity to assess the fit of the migrant, and it's an opportunity for them to assess New Zealand."

People from the United Kingdom made up the largest group of people converting in the last financial year (23 per cent), followed by citizens of China (8 per cent), Japan (8 per cent) and the United States (6 per cent).

The report says that much of the growth can be attributed to the partners of residents or work permit holders also applying for residency. The shortage of staff in a growing labour market is also driving the increase, says Ms Haines.

There are no particular policies influencing the trend, she adds, but notes that the working holiday scheme for the 18 to 30-year-old foreign nationals of 23 countries has been gradually expanding. In the year to June 2005 there were 31,000 places available. There are 36,000 places available in the current year, and that will increase to 40,000 the year after.

People who want to convert their temporary permit into residency have to jump the same hurdles as would-be permanent residents applying from outside.