New starts in New Zealand turn sour for many

Many thousands of migrants with permanent residence in New Zealand are now packing up and leaving due to a lack of job opportunities and difficulties in integration.

Recently-released figures from Immigration New Zealand for the years between 2004 and 2011 show that over 40,000 immigrants who had been given permanent residency have left the country. The highest number of returnee migrants was from the UK, with 11,171 heading home, followed by 8,257 Chinese immigrants returning to their home country.

Of the 296,258 immigrants who arrived from 2004 to 2011, 14 per cent are now living overseas, and the figures do not include potential migrants who were granted permanent residency but did not take up the offer. Professor of Marketing at Massey University Dr Henry Chun believes that a study to help understand the ‘missing migrants’ motivation is necessary as those who have left were beneficial to the country’s economy.

Opinions vary as to reasons why so many immigrants have left, and include growth and improving conditions in their home countries, New Zealand’s low wages and high levels of taxation, a lack of suitable job opportunities, business failures, the need to take care of aged parents, or simple home-sickness. Whatever the reason, says Dr Chun, we need to understand as part of out commitment to New Zealand’s development and economy.