High immigration levels will not affect New Zealand’s North Shore if high standards are maintained, says expert

Record immigration levels will not adversely affect New Zealand’s North Shore if the current high standards for entry are maintained, said Paul Spoonley, a professor at Massey University. He was quoted by the Stuff as saying that the contribution of immigrants is positive. In April, Statistics New Zealand revealed that the net rise in migrants was 71,900 in the 2016 – a record. For attracting migrants, the two crucial motivators are access to high-grade secondary schools and new housing projects. It is opined that the North Shore's workforce will increasingly comprise migrants and their children. Spoonley heads a research programme worth NZ$5 million entitled, ‘Capturing the Diversity Dividend of Aotearoa New Zealand’, the objective of which is to study how New Zealand is changing through diversity. Spoonley said that immigrants do not mean just Asians as the North Shore is an attraction for Britons and South Africans as well. They include everyone in the workforce, including dentists and mechanics. If migrant workers increase, then primary and secondary schools will need to enroll more students, he adds. Immigrants are said to be the key for Auckland’s economic growth. As skilled migrants account for 60 percent of all immigrants, their arrival heralds new investment, new business and new connections with major export markets. Spoonley added that they could estimate to what extent immigrants’ contribution was and then compare to understand the magnitude of benefits and healthcare they would need. He said that immigrants in Auckland contribute more to taxation and health benefits than the local population. If you are looking to migrate to New Zealand, get in touch with Y-Axis, a premier immigration consultancy company, to apply for a visa from one of its many offices.