1. Introduction
Asian people are the fastest growing population in New Zealand. In the most recent Census
of Population and Dwellings, those who identified as Asian reached nearly 9% of the total
population, which surpassed those identifying as Pacific peoples (6.6%, Statistics New
Zealand, 2006). Migration from Asia has increased steadily since the change to a more
inclusive immigration policy in 1987 and to a skills-based immigration system in 1991
(Department of Labour, 2003).
These significant changes in migration trends and immigration policy have dramatically
altered the face of New Zealand. In 2001/2002, nearly 60% of residence approvals were
made for those entering NZ under the General Skills Category and approximately half of
them originated from Asian countries (Department of Labour, 2003). While these migrants
are recognised as being crucial for New Zealand’s economic development, migrants from
Asia are often not accepted by the wider NZ society and even struggle to find employment
after they have been granted residence based on their skills.
New Zealand is progressive in its policies towards diversity, migration and social inclusion. In
fact, in some ways we are doing better than other countries who are trying to achieve the
same goals for diversity. Nearly 90% of New Zealanders feel that it is a good thing for our
society to be made up of different races, religions and cultures, which is slightly higher than
Australians (85%; Dunn, 2003) and much more consensual than among Europeans (64%,
ranging from 36% in Greece to 77% in Sweden; European Commission, 2001). New
Zealanders think Asia is more important to New Zealand’s future than all other geographical
regions except Australia (Asia:NZ Foundation, 2009).
Source: Asia:NZ Foundation, 2009