Take refugees, North urged

Sophia Xiao-Colley

A Whangarei migrant centre co-ordinator wants more refugees as well as new migrants coming to Northland.

The Government recently announced measures to entice more migrants to New Zealand's regions. Skilled workers who take jobs or set up businesses in the regions will be given additional points which are calculated to see whether a residency request should be approved.

Whangarei Migrant Centre co-ordinator Sophia Xiao-Colley was keen to see more migrants, including refugees, come to Northland.

Calls for the Government to increase New Zealand's refugee quota had been a hot topic lately. Ms Xiao-Colley thought an increase would bring more people to the regions.

If the refugee quota was increased, the migrant centre would approach the Government to ask for a refugee settlement programme for Whangarei.

Population growth always benefited an economy, she said.

Ms Xiao-Colley believed migrants were already attracted to New Zealand for its clean, green environment. Some had told her they decided to move to New Zealand after holidaying here.

Northland's untouched native bush, low cost of living and warm weather attracted them.

Some were moving to Northland after living in other parts of New Zealand.

Ms Xiao-Colley believed Northland had potential as a destination for migrants and others in the information technology industry, who could work from home.

Statistics New Zealand data shows 1859 migrants arrived in Northland in the year to June 2015. Australia was their most common country of origin, with 928 from there. The next most common place of origin was the United Kingdom (222 new migrants). Third was America at 79.

In the year to June 2014, 1680 migrants arrived in Northland and in the year to June 2013, 1350 arrived.

The figures included overseas migrants who arrived in New Zealand intending to stay a year or more and New Zealand residents returning after an absence of 12 months or more.