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Numbers of Brits deciding on emigration to New Zealand seems to be on the increase as a recent study into emigration has shown. One of the major reasons behind this unprecedented increase in migrants is largely thanks to the work of the New Zealand Immigration Service in attracting workers to the country. For a number of years now, the government of New Zealand has been working towards filling gaps within the country’s workforce. As the figures clearly show, this process of migrant attraction has been an unmitigated success.

The most recent immigration figures show that emigration levels to New Zealand are at an all time high. Naturally the government’s main concern has to be to solve the deficits in the current workforce by attracting skilled migrants. Maybe it is the healthy outdoor way of life, the large emphasis on sport or simply the clean air and beauty of the land that is attracting migrants in a global emigration climate that is becoming increasingly competitive.

The Minister in charge is ultimately happy that this process of migrant attraction has been successful. In the past there may have been fears that the New Zealand economy could have stagnated, with the high emigration levels from other countries these fears have been quelled as the workforce becomes a young dynamic attribute in the country’s society. These skilled migrants not only enrich the society but through the skills they bring, expand a population of professionals that any country would be proud of.

The emigration figures of British citizens making the move down under are definitely on the increase. It is believed that in the last twelve months the increase may have been as much as twenty percent. Reasons for this are unclear but undoubtedly the derision that many Brits are holding against their own country has to have played a part, in addition to rising prices and in general a poorer way of life. Understandably as Britain becomes more expensive people will look for other places in the world to live, New Zealand is a prime candidate for many.

Last year the Immigration Service of New Zealand issued around one hundred thousand work permits to those undergoing emigration. Those wishing to emigrate come from all manner of jobs and industries from workers in gardening and wine production, to those in the world of computers and information technology. As the economy of New Zealand expands and becomes evermore diverse it is unsurprising that so many have been granted access to fulfil the needs of this burgeoning country.

It is not just those planning to work in New Zealand however, many are wishing to change their nationality and become permanent residents. Of the applications made around sixty percent were accepted, but this does in no way mean that entry into New Zealand as a migrant is easy. There are a variety of stringent criteria that must be met in order for the Immigration Service to accept your application; ultimately you must be able to prove good health and character as well as a means of working to be accepted as a migrant.

These figures are apparently continuing to increase; evermore numbers of skilled migrants are entering the country making its economy increasingly diverse and powerful. The only question that we need to ask in this country is that if all our skilled workers decide to abandon ship, who will be left to ensure the strength of our economy?

Cultural affairs expert Thomas Pretty looks into how New Zealand emigration levels are changing.

Tags : New Zealand emigration, New Zealand Immigration