Disharmony in paradise?

Mount Victoria View

THE UK's Mail Online has expanded on a story about NZ being the paradise-getaway for emigrating Brits and discovered moving across the world is not without its challenges.

Firstly the paper reported NZ was a paradise on Earth when a survey NatWest International personal banking, which conducted the survey of more than 2,000 Britons living in 12 countries

...expats in New Zealand who not only say they benefit from low property prices, a favourable taxation system and a healthy lifestyle but also the beauty of New Zealand's natural environment.

Then, a week later, in a coreographed-fickle editorial turnaround the paper reports NZ paradise lost to economic conditions.

The expats face losing their jobs and being kicked out of the country because of the credit crunch and what is said to be a major shift in policy by the New Zealand government.

With unemployment at a six-year high of 5% of the population of 4,300,000, tough economic times have led to jobs going to native New Zealanders first.

The original survey conducted for NatWest International Personal Banking by the Centre for Future Studies between 8th August and 27th October 2008, asked 2,034 expats about their reasons for leaving the UK and their thoughts since.

The resulting index -- in which NZ just pipped Canada to the top spot -- was based on rating expats’ lives abroad based on numerous lifestyle indicators, including housing, public services, weather, financial factors and the natural environment.

Of the 2,034 expats surveyed, many did not reply and NZ came top only by few percentage points, the equivalent of a handful of expats, a result unlikely to be statistically significant.

So the original source found New Zealand to be neither paradise nor hell, and however many immigrants you find that love it, you will always find a contrary view and expats experiencing bad-fortune; as in the second Mail story, taken largely from NZ's own Herald and move2NZ, an immigrant support group in Christchurch.

The truth is out there, but not always obvious despite the headlines.

Comments

[Alan]

Well I found it interesting reading the comments people left on the Mail website.
Folks from the UK seemed unanimously in favour of what NZ has done (in terms of not renewing temporary work visas for migrants, and give Native Kiwi's or those on PR the opportunity to fill the jobs), and that the UK Govt. should be doing the same.

[William Knight]

I'm not sure the Mail's contributors have an argument I can agree with, Alan.

If a country offers a work permit, and is happy to take the tax money as NZ is, then if there is redundancy through no fault of the person -- and arguably through the fault of the government-- then I think there is a moral duty to support the person and family.

At least for limited time, maybe repatriation expenses, or tax rebate.

It is not cheap moving to another country to work, and NZ bears some responsibility for attracting workers and offering permits in the first place.

[Juli Ryan]

Holders of a temporary work permits are probably entitled to tax refunds. I just don't understand why people who are filling skills shortages are not being offered residence permits (provided they meet the necessary criteria). Perhaps, however, they must bear some responsibility, as they took a (calculated) risk. A temporary work permit is simply not a guarantee of permanent residency.

[Avalon]

"So the original source found New Zealand to be neither paradise nor hell, and however many immigrants you find that love it, you will always find a contrary view and expats experiencing bad-fortune;"

So true :) There is also a third set who sit in the huge gap in between - and get grief from both camps :) It is often forgotten that although we all emigrated, and we all chose the same country to live in - we are very different people, and live in different parts of New Zealand. Funnily enough - we dont all have the same experiences of life here.

What I find disturbing is the number of migrants who seem to feel that having a different life to them is somehow a personal attack on thier choices and life.

"The truth is out there, but not always obvious despite the headlines."

Also - so true :)

[Alan]

To quote someone wiser than me "there is no one true path to emigrating".

I accept INZ should give people on a work permit a reasonable amount of time to find a new job if made redundant. As temporary residents there is no benefits or welfare offered. It's a risk people take, we just can't be responsible for everyone's unfortunate circumstances.
I do find it amazing the number of migrants who are here only on work visas - my heart goes out to them, I just don't understand why they've not applied for residency if they have points from work, education or experience.

I'm helping (in an entirely not an immigration advisor way) a few colleagues in exactly this predicament. It's always their choice to stay or not, I just wish that it were only their choice without being forced into leaving by INZ or their employers pulling the plug.

[Moon Over Martinborough]

My vote is for NZ as paradise. It's great.