Impact of immigrants on the New Zealand economy

[Mertz]

This report by the NZ department of labour. Will make interesting reading for the "they do not need us we need them" brigade.

Summary

Migrants are grouped into three categories by duration of residence: recent migrants are those who are overseas born and usually resident in New Zealand for less than five years; intermediate migrants are overseas born and usually resident in New Zealand for between five and 15 years; earlier migrants are overseas born and usually resident in New Zealand for longer than 15 years.

As at the census night in March 2006, New Zealand had a migrant population of approximately 927,000.  The study estimates that this migrant population had a positive net fiscal impact of $3,288m in the year to 30 June 2006. The net impact of migrants estimated in this study represents growth of approximately 15% per annum in real terms, compared to a similar study by Business and Economic Research Ltd (BERL) in 2003. The New Zealand-born population of 3.1m people had a lower net fiscal impact of $2,838m.

The net impact is made up of the difference between fiscal revenue and expenditure. The study estimated migrants contributed a total of $8,101m through income taxes, GST and excise duties. Estimated fiscal expenditure on the migrant population was $4,813m. This includes government spending on education, health, benefits/allowances and superannuation. In total migrants contributed 24.7% of government revenue and accounted for 18% of government expenditure. The overall magnitude of any effect will also be influenced by whether the current budget is in surplus or deficit.

The study shows that all sub-groups of the migrant population had positive net impacts, although these impacts differed by the duration of residence, region of birth and region of residence in New Zealand. The net fiscal impact of migrants climbs with duration of residence, although this is partly attributable to the age profile of these groups. The net fiscal impact per head was $2,680 for recent migrants, $3,470 for intermediate migrants and $4,280 for earlier migrants, while the comparable figure for the New Zealand-born population was $915 per head. The net fiscal impact of migrants grew 80% between 2002 and 2006 (in real terms). This change was driven by fiscal revenue growing more quickly than expenditure.

[LoveNZ]

so nice to know.

[SaKiwiBoer]

We all know migrants make a difference in NZ, what I'm interested in is a breakdown of those 927 000 migrants that are here, where are they all from??? Don't tell me only 40 000 are SA'ns.
Enjoy, SAKB.

[robcraignz]

Very interesting reading Mertz, thanks mate.  Yep, as per SAKB, would love to know how many are HESA's. Figures I've heard range from 40 000 to the staggering 500 000. The latter would mean we constitute close to 10% of the population, hard to believe on one hand, but highly possible on the other. Might just have a case like I suggested to a National Party candidate (now MP) prior to her election, that consideration needs to be given to Afrikaans being a thrid official langauge in New Zealand (I made it as a joke). Seems if the 500 k is the truth, Afrikaans might already be the third language by sheer numbers. Certainly the case in Porirua. Challenged the mayor that Saturday morning at mega centre, she would hear afrikaans spoken within 1 hour, I was right.

[magusta]

as expected, nice one Mertz

[ronaldd]

rob,  afrikaans might not be spoken in volumes, but there are alot fo folks who understand it.  English south africans just quietly listen in the queues while we rant on about nonsense in the pak and save queue

[SaKiwiBoer]

Yep, as per SAKB, would love to know how many are HESA's. Figures I've heard range from 40 000 to the staggering 500 000. The latter would mean we constitute close to 10% of the population, hard to believe on one hand, but highly possible on the other. Might just have a case like I suggested to a National Party candidate (now MP) prior to her election, that consideration needs to be given to Afrikaans being a third official language in New Zealand (I made it as a joke). Seems if the 500 k is the truth, Afrikaans might already be the third language by sheer numbers. Certainly the case in Porirua. Challenged the mayor that Saturday morning at mega centre, she would hear afrikaans spoken within 1 hour, I was right.

I doubt very much that we constitute 500K of the population, seeing that the UK and the Asians have been coming here in their droves. Say for instance, hypothetically, we could over time we have accumulated a third of those immigrants coming here then we could be in the region of 300K. Now with that, I wouldn't argue, because every city, town or even die kleinste dorpie in NZ have some SAn's in them. You just have to go and look and you will find them. Who would want Afrikaans to be an official language in NZ?? Not me. All I'm asking for is recognition that we as SA'ns in NZ do contribute to NZ and it's economy to better the life of all NZ'ers. If that happens then the Kiwi's, and the rest of the world, will realise that we don't post a threat to them and their place in society but that we better society for the benefit of all. Cheers, SAKB.

[thombatt]

I did a little calculation based on the EOI draws:

This is how I calculated it.

Firstly based on the 2008 draws, which was a high for the ITA's issued, and for the number of South Africans offered ITA's

~200 ITA's offered to South Africans per month (from dept of immigration stats)
equates to ~2500 ITA's per annum
20 years equates to 50 000 applications to immigrate to NZ from South Africa
Average no per application 3
equates to 150 000  South Africans in NZ

Offical stats ~50 000

Propable correct number ~100 000 (half way between)

Not very scientific I know but I reckon as a guestimate it's pretty good

That would equate to 2.5% of the total population of NZ

In terms of any government policy I have no doubt the official numbers would be used, so 1.25% of the population

[tmprince]

PS: and thats only the "officia"l Saners that are applying how many are hoping to apply once they get enough money ,are more settled ,have enough Kiwi experience and a good paying permanent job in other words all them cowboys that are cruising under the radar

[Nolan]

and I think the Kiwis do know and appreciate, in general, that immigrants are a "requirement" to make NZ tick.

[SaKiwiBoer]

and I think the Kiwis do know and appreciate, in general, that immigrants are a "requirement" to make NZ tick.

I think there are a hell of a lot of them that don't want us here and at my wife's previous work 1 such "Lady" made it quite clear and voiced her opinion of "us" as immigrants. It was and still is very much at the top of their minds that we are "intruders" and that "we" do take their jobs. It was "obvious" with the recession. I know you guys will now tell me it isn't like that but believe me "out in the sticks", that is still a reality. Be very careful. Cheers, SAKB.

[Clarikdeens]

That's why it is up to us to not offend them.

There are times when we need to eat humble pie in order to change the situation around. I have eaten many a humble pie in my previous work in order for me to win an aggressive client around so that my firm would be paid the money owed them. Believe it or not but normally such a client had great respect of me later and would always keep in touch with me.

Because of this attitude my firm called me "Mr Fix-it" and it brought me many an overseas trip to sort out client relationships because some director did not know how to approach clients in the way they deserved to be approached.

King Solomon said, "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city."

Also, "Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud."

NEVER argue back - remember it takes 2 to make an argument. It all  boils down to correct conflict management.

[SaKiwiBoer]

     Mertz and I can agree on something      
WOW, that is a bit refreshing!!! Sorry Mertz but I had to do this!!!
Cheers, SAKB.

[Rockhopper]

Yes NZ definitely needs immigrants.  I don't think anybody disputes that.  I think most people will however agree that, if they don't pick Saffers, they can get them from somewhere else.  So I still count myself Blessed to be here.

Because of my obesity and "bokbaardjie" I could easily be stereotyped as a boer from the Vrystaat.  I recently walked into a barber shop in Wellington, a very crude (I believe the correct word is "Bogan") barber full of ugly navy tattoos (not Maori type tattoos which I can still appreciate to a certain extent) sat me down and asked me how I wanted my haircut - the moment I opened my mouth he replied in a very loud voice:

"J$%* (name of God)!!! The moment I saw you, I could tell you are a f@#$%n Yaaarpie!!"

I was quite taken back with this and needless to say the rest of the haircut process was a bit uncomfortable    Although he does a very good haircut, he unfortunately lost one patron!

When I got back to the office, I told my boss of the experience - and he responded with shock and horror, telling me that the barber was obviously a ***!  My boss thought it was very presumptuous of the barber to make such a conclusion, telling me that if I did not open my mouth, he would see me as just one of his Southland farming cousins (= Vrystaat boer?) who eat a lot of meat! (I took that as a huge compliment - if you understand the inclusiveness of the Southlanders!)  In other words I could just as well have been a Southlander!

So from my experience, you get the Bogans who complain about the immigrants taking their jobs, but those same bogans are not willing to actually work in those same said jobs.  And you get the kiwi who accepts you regardless.  And luckily I have met far more accepting kiwis as opposed to bogans.  I also found that hostility is generally directed more towards the Asians than the Europeans.

My experience could be totally different from others as I have lived in Wellington where the majority of people are not born here but merely "passing" through for experience in Government sector jobs.  That includes kiwis - so you tend to find a lot more tolerant people in this city.  I have heard of certain North Island kiwis who, after living in Christchurch for nearly eight years, still feel unwelcome there.  So it differs from city to city.

But one thing I did notice - As different as we are from the kiwis - We actually very similar - Just think about it!

You get the Auckland (Jo'burg?) "attitude" vs the possibly Wellington/Christchurch attitude (Cape Town/Durban?) .  There are jokes going around about the Southland/Taranaki farmers (Vrystaters?).  Think of the Speights advertisement on TV with the young city slicker boys meeting up with the rough silent farmer - that could just as well have been an add with Saffer city slickers and a Saffer farmer!  Right down to the point of opening the farm gates and chasing sheep!! (I opened plenty when I was a child and chased sheep!).  We are even similar to the point of complaining about immigrants!!  Maybe for opposite reasons, but complaining still.  Who works on the mines nowadays and who sits in the streets and complains?

I remember back in good old SA, when I worked with some NGO's in the townships, how I complained with the locals about the influx of Nigerians/Kenyans/Somalians and how I would be rude to them.  So maybe this whole rudeness thing is just karma hitting back at me? 

[SaKiwiBoer]

  Well said Schalk. Found a few "bogan's" of our own....  . Cheers, SAKB.