Figures released today by New Zealand’s Department of Labour show that around 51,000 people were approved for permanent residence in 2005/06. The majority were approved as skilled or business migrants.

There was also a 21 percent rise in work permits issued compared with the previous year. 99,700 work permits were issued. This is a dramatic increase on the 35,000 work permits issued in 1999-2000.

In addition to granting work permits to regular workers, permits are also issued to:

  • young people on working holidays
  • partners of New Zealand citizens or residents
  • partners of work permit holders
  • people applying through Work to Residence

Immigration Minister David Cunliffe commented on the numbers, saying, “This is a reflection of employers’ continued need for overseas staff in an environment of low unemployment and shortages of Kiwi workers.

“It also demonstrates the changing nature of migration. People are becoming increasingly mobile in a competitive global environment, where there are more opportunities for people than ever before.”

Features Of Recent Immigration

  • The UK was the largest source of skilled immigration approvals, accounting for 41 percent of approvals overall – up 10 per cent on the previous year. South Africa is the next largest source country with 12 per cent of approvals, followed by China on 11 percent.
  • A growing number of Chinese students are applying for residence through the SMC after gaining New Zealand qualifications which are accepted more readily by employers than Chinese qualifications.
  • Of the 51,236 approvals in 2005/06, 29 per cent were from the UK (31 per cent in 2004/05), 13 per cent were from China (10 per cent), 8 per cent were from South Africa (7 per cent) and 7 per cent from India (7 per cent).
  • Nine out of 10 principal applicants approved for residence in 2005/06 had previous New Zealand work experience- accounted for by people moving from temporary to permanent permits. People in New Zealand on temporary permits are often well placed to become permanent residents. Those on work permits often have skills that are in demand.
  • A growing proportion of work and student permit holders have become permanent residents. Around 30 per cent of temporary workers gain permanent residence within five years. For students the comparable figure was around 20 per cent.