Introduction

New Zealand is considered as a unique country which allows migration and refugees on its territory. In most cases, the country allows skilled migrants who meet their visa requirements and health standards. A study conducted by OECD (2020) indicated that immigrants n New Zealand are associated with improved productivity and GDP per capita. Allowing immigrants in the country without controls make it difficult for a country to plan for its resources. Therefore, it is necessary for New Zealand to work effectively in understanding the exact numbers of migrants within its territory. In ensuring effective output from the immigrants, it is always essential to consider the satisfaction level of the new immigrants. The New Zealand migrant’s consultancy department always carries out analysis to determine the quality of life in New Zealand, especially for the New Migrants, thus making it easy to work towards improving their performance (Boxall et al., 2003). In collecting the information about the migrants, the consultancy firm operates independently then a report is submitted to the immigration ministry in New Zealand for necessary actions. This makes it easy for New Zealand to set both short- and long-term strategies to ensure quality lives for new immigrants. This paper provided a critical analysis of New Zealand immigrants and what satisfies them in current lives. Besides, the report provides the major differences in satisfaction level between different age groups, gender, and ethnicity.

What makes migrants satisfied with their current lives?

A study conducted by Ward, and Masgoret (2004) defined migration as the process through which individuals belonging to other country moves to a new country and establish their settlement in such areas. The movement involves migrants who move because of different factors such as education, war, and fights, among other factors. In New Zealand, the majority of the migrants are considered students who opt to carry out their academics on other levels. According to the finding from the Ministry of Business and Employment, New Zealand experiences increased migrants because of different factors such as reuniting with family and look from new opportunities as well as new opportunities. The findings indicate that majority of New Zealand migrants are comfortable and willing to remain in their current status of life although there exist differences on the satisfaction level.

New Zealand is categorized under the umbrella of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. These countries value and accepts migrants from other countries to ensure increased productivity for their country. Despite allowing the migration to their country, it is always crucial to acquire current information about the migrants, thus making it easy during resource distribution as well as making such migrants satisfied. According to the findings from the OECD (2020), New Zealand has been considered a better place for migrants because of different factors. For instance, New Zealand provides a relatively better-quality life to migrants compared to the other OECD countries, thus making the migrants more satisfied with their current lives. In relation to poverty, employment, freedom, and educational opportunities, the New Zealand government has prioritized the elements, thus leading in the list of best OECD countries.

A study conducted by OECD (2020) indicated that New Zealand operates differently from other OECD countries in relation to migrant’s treatment. Unlike other OECD countries, New Zealand prioritizes the well-being of migrants. For instance, the country set relatively the same measures to native citizens in ensuring their well-being. This motive by the New Zealand government makes the majority to feel satisfied with their current life. The New Zealand government have provided tight security and safety measure to migrants. A study conducted by MBIE (2020) argued that human creatures are always satisfied if the hierarchical needs are followed. Safety and security needs are the second important need in Maslow’s hierarchical needs. New Zealand has been able to provide effective safety and security to migrants, thus making them be satisfied with their current lives.

Ward and Masgoret (2004) indicated that New Zealand is characterized by high-quality tertiary institutions, thus providing high-quality education to native citizens and migrants. The majority of the migrants in New Zealand are either in higher tertiary of completed. Besides, the majority of the migrants are employed within the country, and their occupations meet their qualifications. The fact that the qualification leads to increased satisfaction to the migrants. Despite been employed at jobs which matches their qualification, the migrants are characterized by lesser pay compared to the native. This is just minor factors in lowering the satisfaction level of migrants since they are satisfied in their jobs. Within New Zealand territory, migrants have less social role compared to native citizens, but they are fairly treated by their employers (Pernice et al., 2000). These experience in New Zealand makes the migrants remain satisfied with their current life. Unlike most countries whereby migrants remain unemployed for long, the New Zealand government has proved its support towards the migrants by setting an effective structure, which leads to increased employment opportunities. Generally, the majority of migrants looking for a job have increased chances of getting jobs which satisfy and matches their expectation, thus making them satisfied with the current life in New Zealand. According to the report conducted by Bedford, and Ho (2006) indicated that a few portions of migrants in New Zealand have been treated unfairly or discriminated by the native citizens.

In determining the level of satisfaction of the individual, it is essential to consider their sense of belonging. A study conducted by Wiles (2008) stated that the majority of the migrant in New Zealand feel a sense of belonging. Generally, the migrants in New Zealand always feel free to make friends with native citizens with minimal discrimination, therefore, making them settle easily. The fact that the migrants could easily interact and socialize with native Americans makes them feel like they are still in-home country, thus increasing their satisfaction level. This fair treatment from the native citizens has made the majority of migrants to be willing to denounce the original citizenship and live in New Zealand permanently. Although some migrant comes to New Zealand for trial with no option to permanently stay there because of a clean, and conducive environment, good economy and high standards on social factors makes them change their mind thus opting to permanently stay in New Zealand.

Lastly, the migrant satisfaction level is determined by the settlement process. A study conducted by Boxall et al. (2003) defined settlement as a multidimensional process which involves the different aspect of the migrants. Generally, the impression created to migrants on the first day always determines the level of satisfaction. In hosting, the migrants are always exposed to new factors such as social and economic factors. In New Zealand, the economy usually affects the lives of the migrants negatively since it is associated with the increased cost of living. In most cases, migrants are accompanied by their families; therefore, settling is considered a crucial factor. The country has improved its settlement plans, therefore, making it relatively easy for the migrants to settle in new life, thus increasing their satisfaction level.

Major differences in satisfaction between different ethnic, gender or age groups

Human beings are characterized by different personalities and tastes, therefore, making their level of satisfaction differ. According to the socialreport.msd.govt.nz (2020), both males and females’ migrants in New Zealand experiences the same satisfaction level. The findings indicate that approximately 83.8% of the male migrants were satisfied with the lives in their current lives, while approximately 81.8% of females were satisfied with the new life in New Zealand. From these results, it is clear that the level of satisfaction between males and females is minimal as female’s satisfaction level is slightly lower compared to counterparts. According to the statistics obtained, migrants aged 65 years and above are considered as the most satisfied population with approximately 85.9%. The migrant population aged between 45 to 54 years is considered as the category with the lowest satisfaction level with 80.2%. According to the information acquired, 31.5% of the individuals aged 65 years and above rated their satisfaction level 10/10, while only 13.1% of individuals aged between 45 and 54 years rated 10/10 as their satisfaction level.

Figure 1:Age Difference in Satisfaction level (Source: socialreport.msd.govt.nz, 2020)

A study conducted by Bedford and Ho (2006) argued that ethics differences lead to differences in the level of satisfaction. For instance, in New Zealand, ethical differences led to different satisfaction levels, whereby the European/Other recorded the highest satisfaction level of approximately 84%. Asian ethnic groups followed closely with approximately 81.6%, while Maori and Pacific’s people gained 77.8% and 78.1 %, respectively. From the findings, 25.9 % of the Pacific people rated 10/10 for the overall satisfaction level compared to 16.9% from Asian and ethnic groups as well as European/ Other.

Figure 2: Ethnic Differences (Source: socialreport.msd.govt.nz, 2020)

Conclusion

From the above discussion, it is clear the new migrant satisfaction level is generally high compared to other OECD countries. Majority of the migrants are satisfied with their current lives because of different factors such as fair treatment, security, and safety, increased sense of belonging, job opportunities which meet their meets expectation. Generally, these factors are considered crucial in ensuring the satisfaction level for the new migrants and their lives in New Zealand. From the report, the satisfaction levels always differ depending on the age, gender, and ethnic differences. For instance, In New Zealand, the satisfaction level is the same for both males and females. In relation to age, the migrants with 65 years and above have the highest level of satisfaction, while migrants aged between 45 to 54 years have the lowest satisfaction level. Lastly, the difference in ethnic groups leads to a difference in the level of satisfaction with European/Other having the highest satisfaction level, and Pacific people have the lowest satisfaction level.

Recommendations

Although the country has set effective settlement strategies, there are several loopholes associated with the whole process; therefore, it is essential to set short- and long-term strategies to improve the settlement strategy. I, therefore recommend the New Zealand government to adopt the following recommendation;

I recommend the immigration department in New Zealand to effectively carry out an analysis of the exact population of both migrants and native citizens. This makes it easy to ensure the effective allocation of resources, thus promoting sustainable settlement. Generally, the move creates a positive impression on the new migrants, thus increasing their level of satisfaction.
In ensuring the improved level of satisfaction to new migrants, it is essential to understand their moves, likes, and desires. The New Zealand immigration department is supposed to create a system or program which helps in determining the level of satisfaction for the new migrant. The move will help the department to set different strategies to satisfy the new migrant who have less feeling of sufficient satisfaction.
Although the new migrants feel a sense of belongings, there are few instances of discrimination and high living costs that lower the satisfaction level. The New Zealand government is supposed to set strict policies that hinder any form of discrimination. Besides, the New Zealand government and the economy are supposed to set equal opportunities to avoid discrimination issues. Also, I recommend the employers to introduce employee’s compensation schemes as well as setting up platforms for migrants to nurture their talents since it could motivate them to remain committed in their work. Generally, this move results in an increased level of satisfaction.
In improving the satisfaction level of the new immigrants, I recommend that New Zealand’s immigration should have a collaborative partnership with other agencies from the government, thus helping in ensuring effective settling and monitoring of the new migrants. Although partnership could lead to role conflicts, any further way to agree on ad hoc helps the immigration to have a clear understanding of the migrants, thus making every department to perform effectively without any sabotage. Clearly, roles and responsibility lead to increased effectiveness on the migrant welfare since there are minimal conflicts.

References

Bedford, R., & Ho, E. (2006). Immigration futures: New Zealand in a global context.

Boxall, P., Macky, K., & Rasmussen, E. (2003). Labour turnover and retention in New Zealand: The causes and consequences of leaving and staying with employers. Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, 41(2), 196-214.

MBIE. (2020). Retrieved 20 May 2020, from https://www.mbie.govt.nz/dmsdocument/2724-predictive-models-based-on-regional-characteristics-pdf

OECD (2020). Retrieved 20 May 2020, from https://www.oecd.org/newzealand/Better-Life-Initiative-country-note-New-Zealand.pdf

Overall life satisfaction: The Social Report 2016 – Te pūrongo oranga Tangata. (2020). Retrieved 20 May 2020, from http://socialreport.msd.govt.nz/life-satisfaction/overall-life-satisfaction.html#age-and-sex-differences

Pernice, R., Trlin, A., Henderson, A., & North, N. (2000). Employment and mental health of three groups of immigrants to New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Psychology, 29(1), 24.

Ward, C., & Masgoret, A. M. (2004). The experiences of international students in New Zealand. Report on the Results of a National Survey. Wellington: Ministry of Education.

Wiles, J. (2008). Sense of home in transnational social space: New Zealanders in London. Global networks, 8(1), 116-137.

New Zealand’s Quality of Life for The New Migrants

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