Survey: NZ migrants gradually less happy

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Migrants are less satisfied with their lives and more likely to feel unsafe after several years in New Zealand, a long-term survey has found.

But they are also more likely to be employed, earn more and have greater job satisfaction, the longitudinal immigration survey by the Department of Labour and Statistics New Zealand shows.

More than 5000 migrants were interviewed at six months, 18 months and three years since moving to New Zealand.

The results, released today, found 24.2 per cent of migrants were less satisfied with their lives at three years, compared with 14.1 per cent who were more satisfied.

While 92.3 per cent of migrants said they were satisfied or very satisfied at three years, the number who were very satisfied decreased over time, from 44.7 per cent at six months to 35.5 per cent at three years.

Migrants were also less likely to feel safe from crime, with 36.1 per cent saying they felt less safe at six months compared with 13.8 per cent who felt more safe at three years.

The number who felt unsafe or very unsafe increased from 3.2 per cent at six months to 7.5 per cent at three years, while the number who felt safe or very safe decreased from 85.5 per cent to 76 per cent.

Migrants were generally more satisfied at work, with many earning more and reporting greater job satisfaction.

The proportion of migrants in employment rose from 72.1 per cent at six months to 75.7 per cent at three years, while the proportion looking for work decreased from 3.1 per cent to 1.8 per cent.

Job satisfaction increased over the same period, from 80.8 per cent to 84.9 per cent.

Wages also increased, from an average hourly rate of $20.35 at six months to $23.49 at three years - a real wage increase of 15.4 per cent.

The average wage ranged from $14.95 for Pacific migrants to $28.09 for those who entered New Zealand as skilled migrants.

Despite earning more, the proportion of migrants who said their income was adequate remained level, with 70.6 per cent saying they earned enough or more than enough to meet their everyday needs.

Nearly three out of 10 said their income was inadequate to meet their needs.

The survey found more migrants now owned homes in New Zealand, with 30.6 per cent owning property at six months and 51.9 per cent at three years.

Britons were most likely to own property, with 76.7 per cent owning their homes, while Pacific migrants were most likely to be renting, at 69.7 per cent.

Almost half of all migrants lived in Auckland, at 49.3 per cent, with 31.5 per cent in the rest of the North Island and 19.3 per cent in the South Island.

Only a quarter remained in the house they originally lived in.

Most migrants intended to stay in New Zealand for three years or more, at 90.4 per cent, while 78.4 per cent had gained or intended to apply for citizenship.

The survey of 5144 migrants excluded those who were granted residency under special criteria, including refugees, Australians, Niueans, Cook Islanders and Tokelauans.

They were each interviewed three times, between November 2004 and October last year.

- NZPA