We're just another melting pot

Many New Zealanders are concerned about the impact of new migrants. In the first of a three-part series, immigration repoprter Angela Gregory answers some common questions.

Do we need immigrants?

Yes, because New Zealand has a low birth rate, ageing population and skills shortages. Businesses cite labour shortages as the main constraint of economic growth and worldwide there is strong competition for skilled migrants. Immigrants can also bring business opportunities and money for investment.

Why don't we train more New Zealanders to fill skills shortages instead?

The Government aims to do that with apprenticeship training but the shortages need to be filled now. Our yearly intake of skilled migrants equates to just over 1 per cent of the workforce.

How many New Zealanders have left to live overseas?

A recent Treasury report put our expatriate population at 460,000, just over one in six New Zealanders and about 14 per cent of the population. Nearly a quarter of all tertiary-educated New Zealanders live overseas. On the flipside about 20 per cent of New Zealanders living here are overseas-born.

We had a problem where immigrant doctors and engineers ended up driving taxis - what's changed?

In 2003 the Government scrapped the former general skills category which failed to assess actual job opportunities. The new skilled migrant category included an assessment of employability.

Do immigrants benefit the country in any other ways?

A Massey University study found 75 per cent of those surveyed thought our cuisine had improved from immigration, 60 per cent thought immigrants made New Zealanders more open to new ideas and cultures, and 55 per cent thought they were vital for the country's economic prosperity.

So why do people worry about immigration?

There are concerns that immigrants could take New Zealanders' jobs, push wages down and house prices up and that they may end up on welfare. Some ask what would happen if the economy tumbled and unemployment became a problem. Other fears include that New Zealand could end up overcrowded and that crime will increase, with racial conflict.

How can we stop everyone congregating in Auckland?

Auckland remains by far the most popular destination but the points system rewards migrants who get job offers elsewhere. In the 2004/05 year 62 per cent of skilled migrants who claimed points for a job offer got a bonus point for employment outside the Auckland region.

Are our perceptions of immigrants accurate?

In many cases no. For instance research has shown we tend to think immigrants are mostly from China or the Pacific and only a minority from Great Britain. In fact most long-term migrants come from Great Britain and those from all Pacific countries total under a fifth of migrants. Asian immigration has increased considerably but many of the young Asian faces on the streets of Auckland are here on temporary student visas.

Do immigrants from Pacific nations get special treatment?

Yes. New Zealand has a special relationship with its South Pacific neighbours, some of whom have automatic entry rights, such as Cook Islanders, Niueans and Tokelauans, because of historic connections. We also have an age-restricted Samoan quota of 1100, dependent on a job offer, and similarly take citizens of Fiji (250), Kiribati (75), Tuvalu (75) and Tonga (250). Do we still have a problem with overstayers?

The most recent estimate at April 28 this year put the number between 17,604 and 20,930. That is a 7.6 per cent decrease from November 2004. The overstayer estimate has remained between 18,000 to 21,000 for the past five years. The Government has quadrupled its spending on border security, which includes locating and removing overstayers, to $24.8 million.

Are some New Zealanders just racist?

We recoil from the label but there is considerable 'gut' discomfort about elements of immigration. Researchers spoken to by the Herald suggest this partly comes from low contact with new migrant groups, which contributes to misperceptions. A Massey University survey showed that 95 per cent of the respondents had heard people in New Zealand make racist comments. Research has also shown that we tend to favour immigrants who come from Australia or Great Britain.

PLANS FOR MIGRANTS

Labour

Review Immigration Act, regulate immigration advisers. Campaign launched to bring ex-pat New Zealanders home.

National

Cut refugee numbers to 750 a year and scrap intake of extra 300 taken under family reunification quota. Immigrants on four-year probation period for permanent residency and no welfare benefits for four years.

Greens

Generous family reunification provision. Increase refugee quota from 750 to 1000.

New Zealand First

Significantly reduce inflow of migrants. Create specialised "flying squad" to hunt out inconsistencies in visa applications. Introduce an undesirables category, change appeals process, and utilise fingerprinting and eye scanning. Clean five-year probationary period before citizenship granted. Review refugee obligations. United Future 10-year population strategy and maintain or increase net migration inflow of 10,000 people a year.

Progressive

Assist regional development through targeted immigration, boost resettlement programmes.

Maori

Review Immigration Act from a Treaty of Waitangi perspective.