11 June 2008

NZ’s migration myth dispelled

Immigration experts have told the New Zealand government that migrants are more valuable to the economy than New Zealand-born citizens. International and local researchers have gathered at yet another seminar to discuss the issue of immigration, reports the New Zealand Herald.

"Pathways, Circuits and Crossroads: New Research on Population, Migration and Community Dynamics" is a set of seminars running over a five year period, as part of the Integration of Immigrants Programme.  The seminars are designed to present the latest research on immigration to New Zealand and a range of international and local expert perspectives.  The programme is sponsored by the Department of Labour.

The latest seminar has revealed that, contrary to popular belief, migrants put more into the economy than they take out.  Immigrants to New Zealand have long been blamed for using too many health services, claiming too many benefits and largely contributing to rising house prices, but studies show otherwise. 

The recent report "Housing Markets and Migration: Evidence from New Zealand" shows there is no validity to the claim that immigrants are the driving force behind increased house prices.  The Immigration Minister, Mr Clayton Cosgrove, said in a press release the link between rising house prices and population lies with New Zealanders returning home. 

Rob Hodgson, from the Department of Labour, said first generation migrants contributed NZD$8.1 billion to the economy in 2006.  After using $4.81 billion in services and benefits, the net contribution to the economy was $3.29 billion.  In contrast, New Zealand-born citizens injected a net sum of $2.84 billion into their economy.  "The net impact for having an immigrant here is $3.29 billion, or $3547 per capita, while the net per capita contribution of a New Zealand-born is just $915," he said.

Popular belief amongst New Zealanders also maintains that migrants in New Zealand are responsible for an aging population and labour shortage, according to the New Zealand Herald.  Professor Ian Pool, from the Population Studies Centre at the University of Waikato, asserts migrants should not be held responsible for an aging population, as "immigration policies make migration highly selective by age", and the emigration of New Zealand-born citizens to places such as Australia and the UK is creating more of an effect on the labour shortage and a youthful population.

"We need to model our policies to meet two sets of competing demands, that of an ageing population and meeting the needs of the young ready to enter the workforce," he said. 

Professor Pool, along with other speakers at the seminar, strongly urges the Department of Labour to proactively encourage immigration to New Zealand, so that its economy will continue to flourish and the labour force can grow to meet market demands. 

New Zealand needs skilled workers: anyone interested in migrating to New Zealand should complete an online assessment to see if they qualify for skilled migration to New Zealand.