The 2009 Migrants Survey (Pilot) of the Department of Labour’s Immigration Survey Monitoring Programme describes the short-term settlement outcomes of migrants granted permanent residence in New Zealand as well as the outcomes for temporary workers and international students.
From the 23,956 migrants in the target population, 8,594 migrants were selected to take part in the study. 36 percent (3,092 migrants) responded to the survey online or in a telephone interview.
The key findings were:
• Most respondents were satisfied with life in New Zealand (89 percent), and most felt safe from crime (78 percent). More than half (52 percent) felt more welcome in New Zealand than they had expected to feel.
• Thirty-seven percent of respondents found the cost of living in New Zealand was higher than they had expected it to be, and 37 percent felt their household income was not enough to support themselves and their family.
• Employment outcomes were positive across several indicators, particularly for skilled principal migrants and Essential Skills temporary workers:
a) Sixty-eight percent of principal migrants, 92 percent of skilled principal migrants, and 96 percent of essential skills workers were in paid employment.
b) Eighty-two percent of skilled principal migrants said their current job matched their skills and qualifications. Generally, the higher the skill level of the job, the greater the match to respondents’ skills and qualifications.
c) Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of respondents working in a skilled job earned $40,000 or more. Forty-three percent of skilled principal migrants earned $60,000 or more. The median income from wages and salaries for all New Zealanders is around $39,300 per year.
• More than half of the respondents lived in Auckland (53 percent). Most rented their accommodation (61 percent), but 7 percent owned their home without a mortgage.
• Most (87 percent) respondents planned to stay long term in New Zealand, and many wanted to gain New Zealand citizenship (73 percent of permanent residents).
• Just over one-third (35 percent) of respondents planned to sponsor family, in particular their parents.
References:
http://www.dol.govt.nz/publications/research/migrants-survey2009-key-findings/index.asp