Adon Kumar says skilled migrants have much to offer but often feel duped because their qualifications aren't recognised. Picture / Fotopress

Adon Kumar says skilled migrants have much to offer but often feel duped because their qualifications aren't recognised. Picture / Fotopress

When university graduate Adon Kumar came to New Zealand from Malaysia in the 70s, the only job he could get was in a rubbish-bag factory. Today, Kumar, a tertiary Esol lecturer, says little has changed for professional migrants - something Government, employers and migrants are equally responsible for.

"The Government's policy in opening avenues for the migration of skilled workers is laudable but many skilled migrants feel duped into coming here," says Kumar.

He says when skilled migrants qualify under the immigration system, have their professional qualifications validated by NZQA, and their skills matched to New Zealand's skills shortages list, they feel assured of being able to continue their careers.

After arrival, some instead discover they need to gain New Zealand registration or re-qualification, an expensive, time-consuming and stressful process where migrants pay to study skills they know backwards.

This problem creates resentment and contributes to the infamous truth of migrant nurses, teachers and engineers driving taxis or stacking supermarket shelves.

"Wouldn't it be great if the Immigration Service highlighted the risks migrants take by packing up and coming here? Then only the migrants would be to blame for their decisions," says Kumar.

The Immigration Service would argue it does. And why can't migrants tell each other about the realities? Kumar says it is possible they deliberately gloss over the truth.

"I have a Malaysian Indian friend with a British accountancy qualification who is driving a bus. Another is a parking warden. I am certain they don't write home about it," says Kumar.

Now 55, Kumar has lived and worked in New Zealand for 32 years and moved from the IT sector to Esol teaching through a desire to help. He learned from his own experience that succeeding as a migrant means climbing down from cloud nine to ground zero.

"Many professional migrants need to work harder at their English and develop a Kiwi social network. You can adapt, adopt and assimilate into the New Zealand culture while maintaining a unique ethnic identity," he says.

He says professional pride and the associated incredulity migrants feel when they can't get work in their area of proficiency can be off-putting for New Zealand employers, who tend to respect people for the way they present themselves rather than for their career background.