[January 15, 2006] `SUCK IT AND SEE' MIGRATION ON THE RISE, STATISTICS SHOW Tweet (New Zealand Press Association Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)Wellington, Jan 16 NZPA - Latest migration statistics show the number of people coming to New Zealand on temporary permits and later taking residency is on the rise. The Immigration Service said the ``suck it and see'' approach was leading to more successful settlement, the New Zealand Herald reported tod ay. Temporary permits are ``a kind of suck it and see for both sides'', a Department of Labour spokeswoman said. ``It's an opportunity to assess the fit of the migrant, and it's an opportunity for them to assess New Zealand,'' said Lesley Haines, group manager of workforce policy for the department. The Department of Labour's report Migration Trends 2004-2005 said 88 per cent of the 48,815 people approved for residency in the last financial year had previously held a work, student or visitor permit. People from the United Kingdom made up the largest group of people converting in the last financial year (23 per cent), followed by citizens of China (8 per cent), Japan (8 per cent) and the United States (6 per cent). Much of the growth can be attributed to the partners of residents or work permit holders also applying for residency, the report said. The shortage of staff in a growing labour market is also driving the increase, Ms Haines said. There are no particular policies influencing the trend, but Ms Haines said the working holiday scheme for 18 to 30-year-old foreign nationals of 23 countries has been gradually expanding. In the year to June 2005 there were 31,000 places available. There are 36,000 places available in the current year, and that will increase to 40,000 the year after. People who want to convert their temporary permit into residency have to follow the same criteria as would-be permanent residents applying from outside. NZPA WGT cw kk [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]