Researching characteristics of people moving into and out of the Western Bay of Plenty and Tauranga districts: Some methodological issues

The Western Bay of Plenty (WBOP), has one of the fastest growing populations in New Zealand. This Discussion Paper details a methodology that has been used to conduct a survey of people moving into and out of the Western Bay of Plenty between October 2000 and September 2001

International migration in New Zealand: Context, components and policy issues

This paper explores Aotearoa/New Zealand’s distinctive heritage as both a ‘traditional land of immigration’ as well as a ‘country of emigration’, with particular reference to contemporary policy issues and research initiatives. An underlying theme of the argument is the need for an approach which takes account of all types of movement into and out of the country when researching immigration, both as a process and as a policy domain

Rural trajectories: Diversification and farm-community linkages in Whakatane District, 1999-2003

In New Zealand and elsewhere the interdependence of development in farming and the broader rural community can no longer be taken for granted. Five years ago we conducted a comparative analysis of the interrelated dynamics of change in agriculture and rural communities in the Central North Island. The observed trends from this research suggested that: (i) long and short cycles of change affecting the rural sector are promoting greater diversity in agriculture-community relations; (ii) adjustment processes are ongoing; and (iii) current evidence does not point unambiguously to either the decoupling or re-linking of agriculture and the broader rural community. This paper explores further the ambiguity encountered in the earlier research through a follow-up case study grounded in Whakatane District. The key finding is that as a result of individual effort and the will to diversify, the rural economy of Whakatane District is buoyant and farming remains the major economic activity. However, despite the apparent persistence of strong and pervasive agriculture-community linkages, the district remains vulnerable to forces embedded in short and long cycles of change. In terms of short-cycle change, the pressure on dairy farming from price fluctuation and the increasing attractiveness of conversion to horticulture is affecting the agricultural side of the equation, while the proliferation of lifestyle blocks is notable on the community side. In terms of long-cycle change, the influence of a renaissance of Maori rural living is beginning to be felt on the community side, while the effect of climate change and associated weather extremes is beginning to impact on agriculture

Demographic change and employment in the Central North Island, 1986-1996

This paper examines some dimensions of demographic and economic change in a region which is generally considered to be one of the most productive and affluent parts of New Zealand’s “heartland”. The paper highlights considerable demographic and economic diversity within the Central North Island. This is a complex region in terms of its population composition, its mix of rural and urban places and industries, and its linkages to other parts of New Zealand’s society and economy. The consistently poorer performance found in a wide range of indices of social and economic change in this part of New Zealand is very sobering

International Migration and Population Change in the 1990s: A New Regime?

Late in 1994 the Government announced a review of immigration policy, especially the operation of the points system which was introduced in November 1991. International migration has increased rapidly since the Immigration Policy Review in 1986, and there have been net migration gains to New Zealand's population in every year since 31 March 1990. During 1994 numbers of prospective immigrants admitted under the points system exceeded 40,000. There is an expectation that the net migration gain for the year ending 31 March 1995 could reach 30,000. This is approaching the peak annual net gains of the early 1990s. Given that there will be considerable debate about immigration if such a high net gain is recorded, it seemed appropriate to assess more closely the impact which international migration in the 1990s has had on the size and age composition of New Zealand's population. This paper presents some summary findings from this analysis with particular reference to the period 1 April1990 and 31 March 1994

Northeast Asian migration: recent change in New Zealand’s international migration system

This thesis examines the development of international migration from countries in Northeast Asia to New Zealand between 1986 and 1996 in the context of the restructuring of global capitalism. A part of the Fourth Labour Government’s economic restructuring programme was a change in New Zealand’s immigration policy. In 1986 New Zealand followed the example of the other three traditional countries of settlement, Canada, the United States and Australia, in trying to use immigration policy to attract skilled and wealthy immigrants to the country. Using world-systems analysis to illustrate the linkage between movements of people and periodic cycles of crisis and development, this thesis sources data from arrivals and departures records; census data from 1991 and 1996; and survey data from interviews. Statistical analysis is confined to the nationals of four Northeast Asian countries: the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea. Survey data draws on insights provided by 42 interviews with participants from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea. The findings show that a new international migration sub-system had developed in New Zealand by the end of the 1980s aligning the country with Asia and the countries of the Pacific rim more than with its historical sources of migrants in Europe. Population flows from Northeast Asia grew rapidly after the introduction of a points system in 1991. By 1995 a non-traditional source of immigrants, Taiwan, contributed the largest number of new settlers to New Zealand. Nationality rather than country of last or next permanent residence was used to define the population flows. The research revealed significant inaccuracies using the latter classification for net migration. The nature of population flows to New Zealand differed between source countries. Labour force participation rates varied with self-employment higher for the Chinese and Korean immigrants than for New Zealand’s population as a whole. Census and survey data confirmed a considerable number of skilled immigrants were under- and unemployed. The analysis emphasised the need for caution when generalising about the impact of net migration gains and their impact on New Zealand’s population structure and labour force. These results suggest New Zealand needs flexible immigration policy more attuned to the needs of citizens who are part of a transnational circulatory migration process. Stronger government commitment to funding is necessary for informed policy development. As 1998 begins Northeast Asian migration to New Zealand is either at the end of a short-lived “age” or at the beginning of a new “era”. Regardless of short-term fluctuations New Zealand's migration system is firmly embedded in cycles of global capitalism

International Migration, Population Change and the Labour Force, 1991-1996: An Overview

Between March 1991 and March 1996 the de facto population of New Zealand increased by around 225,000, the largest intercensal increase since the early 1970s. A short-lived surge in levels of natural increase in the early 1990s, coupled with some of the highest annual net migration gains since 1975, account for this substantial population growth. While there has been considerable comment in the media about the impact of this growth on the Auckland region in particular, the impacts which it has had on New Zealand's Labour force are less well known. This paper examines the components of change in labour force age groups between 1991 and 1996, isolating the impacts of immigration from those of structural change. The contrasting contributions to particular labour force age groups made by emigration of New Zealanders on the one hand, and immigration of citizens from other countries on the other, are then discussed. It is clear from the analysis that emigration and immigration are impacting quite differentially on the younger and older workforces. Some of the implications of these changes are explored with reference to the ageing labour force

Give Us A Chance: The Employment Experiences of New Settlers From East Asia

Our research on new settlers from Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea has revealed a general unhappiness with the lack of government planning and preparation to meet the needs of migrants who had been actively encouraged to come to New Zealand to help establish links with Asia. Over half had no paid employment in New Zealand. Among those who were currently employed, less than half had been able to obtain jobs related to their previous work experience and skills. Those who wished to do business were dissatisfied with the lack of information about business investment opportunities and the tax system. When it proved impossible to find appropriate employment or set up business in New Zealand in an effort to remain self-reliant, some immigrants chose to leave the family in New Zealand and return to work in their country of origin

Home to Work? The Employment Experiences of Return Migrants

This paper commences with an Australian perspective on the operation of the points system in the context of provision of skilled labour, a perspective which has relevance for the debate about the labour market in New Zealand. The discussion then focuses on a group of international migrants who are beyond the control of points systems and immigration policy in general – New Zealanders returning after a lengthy absence overseas. Their employment experiences in New Zealand are considered and, towards the end of the paper, reference is made to their attitudes towards current immigration

International Migration and Population Change in the 1990s: A New Regime?

Late in 1994 the Government announced a review of immigration policy, especially the operation of the points system which was introduced in November 1991. International migration has increased rapidly since the Immigration Policy Review in 1986, and there have been net migration gains to New Zealand's population in every year since 31 March 1990. During 1994 numbers of prospective immigrants admitted under the points system exceeded 40,000. There is an expectation that the net migration gain for the year ending 31 March 1995 could reach 30,000. This is approaching the peak annual net gains of the early 1990s. Given that there will be considerable debate about immigration if such a high net gain is recorded, it seemed appropriate to assess more closely the impact which international migration in the 1990s has had on the size and age composition of New Zealand's population. This paper presents some summary findings from this analysis with particular reference to the period 1 April1990 and 31 March 1994