jubjub
16th February 2006, 06:58 AM
Driving, costs shock migrants
16.02.06
By Julie Middleton
Immigrants don't like our driving habits and cannot believe the cost of living.
But nearly all new immigrants would tell others to join them in New Zealand, saying the country's natural beauty, relaxed pace of life and friendly people made their Kiwi experience special.
The insight comes from Skilled Migrants: A Study of Settlement Outcomes, by Ruth Wallis, a Department of Labour senior research analyst. The survey encompasses 2060 skilled and business immigrants, who were polled three to 12 months after their arrival.
A total of 93 per cent were satisfied with their lives in New Zealand.
Most immigrants - 79 per cent - were "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with their jobs, and 81 per cent were happy with their housing.
But of the 94 per cent who would recommend a move here, just 55 per cent would do so "with enthusiasm", 39 per cent attaching "reservations".
Although the study did not outline what those reservations would be, immigrants listed the high cost of housing, living and healthcare among "their shocks and surprises".
Englishwoman Jennifer Barnes, who arrived in Auckland on January 3, says she can relate to the survey's main findings.
Aged 25, in New Zealand on a talent visa, flatting in Parnell and working as a product development technician for manufacturer Tasti, she has found people friendly and helpful and the environment attractive, but was "shocked" by the cost of doctors' visits.
In England, doctors' appointments are free, and although she knew medical visits here attracted costs, she had never got around to finding out what they were before arriving.
She has also found driver behaviour alarming: "They are terrible! Cutting people up, driving slowly in the fast lane and not indicating."
Rita Zhang, from China, has been in New Zealand for the past year and a half. She likes the natural beauty, the environment and the relaxed life style, enough to want to have a career here.
New Zealand - Pros and cons
Likes
* Climate, natural beauty, clean environment (selected by 85 per cent).
* Friendly people and relaxed lifestyle (79 per cent).
* Recreation and leisure activities (65 per cent).
* Safety from crime and violence (59 per cent).
* Low population density (54 per cent).
Dislikes
* Distance from home (40 per cent).
* Bad driving/lack of road safety (35 per cent).
* Poor public transport (32 per cent).
* Poor quality of housing (22 per cent).
* High cost of living (22 per cent).
* Complicated tax system (19 per cent).
16.02.06
By Julie Middleton
Immigrants don't like our driving habits and cannot believe the cost of living.
But nearly all new immigrants would tell others to join them in New Zealand, saying the country's natural beauty, relaxed pace of life and friendly people made their Kiwi experience special.
The insight comes from Skilled Migrants: A Study of Settlement Outcomes, by Ruth Wallis, a Department of Labour senior research analyst. The survey encompasses 2060 skilled and business immigrants, who were polled three to 12 months after their arrival.
A total of 93 per cent were satisfied with their lives in New Zealand.
Most immigrants - 79 per cent - were "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with their jobs, and 81 per cent were happy with their housing.
But of the 94 per cent who would recommend a move here, just 55 per cent would do so "with enthusiasm", 39 per cent attaching "reservations".
Although the study did not outline what those reservations would be, immigrants listed the high cost of housing, living and healthcare among "their shocks and surprises".
Englishwoman Jennifer Barnes, who arrived in Auckland on January 3, says she can relate to the survey's main findings.
Aged 25, in New Zealand on a talent visa, flatting in Parnell and working as a product development technician for manufacturer Tasti, she has found people friendly and helpful and the environment attractive, but was "shocked" by the cost of doctors' visits.
In England, doctors' appointments are free, and although she knew medical visits here attracted costs, she had never got around to finding out what they were before arriving.
She has also found driver behaviour alarming: "They are terrible! Cutting people up, driving slowly in the fast lane and not indicating."
Rita Zhang, from China, has been in New Zealand for the past year and a half. She likes the natural beauty, the environment and the relaxed life style, enough to want to have a career here.
New Zealand - Pros and cons
Likes
* Climate, natural beauty, clean environment (selected by 85 per cent).
* Friendly people and relaxed lifestyle (79 per cent).
* Recreation and leisure activities (65 per cent).
* Safety from crime and violence (59 per cent).
* Low population density (54 per cent).
Dislikes
* Distance from home (40 per cent).
* Bad driving/lack of road safety (35 per cent).
* Poor public transport (32 per cent).
* Poor quality of housing (22 per cent).
* High cost of living (22 per cent).
* Complicated tax system (19 per cent).